The Hyundai Venue is a subcompact SUV, though it's at least 15 centimetres shorter than the diminutive Kia Soul, which is considered its closest competitor. Other vehicles in this segment at the time of Venue's launch in 2020 include the Nissan Kicks, Ford EcoSport, Mazda CX-3, and the original Toyota C-HR — most of which have exited the market. Current competitors are at least 30 cm longer than the Hyundai and include the Chevrolet Trax, which is also front-wheel-drive only, as well as more sophisticated subcompacts like the Mazda CX-30, Kia Seltos, Hyundai Kona, Toyota Corolla Cross, and the new Nissan Kicks.
The Venue’s compact size and low price set it apart from its competitors at the get-go. Sure, it doesn’t offer all-wheel drive or a hybrid powertrain, but that’s how the price has stayed so low. As of mid-2026, it’s the smallest subcompact SUV and the most affordable new vehicle available in Canada. The only other model that gives Venue a run for its money is the Mitsubishi RVR, which starts at about $3,000 more. Even at its low price point, buyers still get attractive and modern styling and a standard 8-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto — even with the earliest models.
Buyers looking for a compact, easy-to-park and practical SUV should certainly consider the Hyundai Venue. Even though it retains its value well throughout the years, it still costs at least $1,000 to $2,000 less than most primary competitors on the used car market. Low upkeep costs, a decent reliability record, and good fuel economy make it an excellent option for budget-minded shoppers.
A second-generation Venue was introduced in some international markets in late 2025, but Hyundai hasn't confirmed whether it will reach North America. Our Hyundai Venue buying guide focuses on the first generation, which remains on sale new.
Hyundai Venue Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Hyundai Venue years are the best?
Even though the Hyundai Venue is still in its first generation, it’s one of those rare vehicles with few recorded problems and recalls according to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Even Consumer Reports gives most model years a higher-than-average predictive reliability rating. We’d recommend starting with the 2024 model year, which has one recall and just 16 consumer complaints.
Which Hyundai Venue years are the worst?
While the Hyundai Venue has been relatively problem-free in its first generation, we still hold onto the old adage that it’s generally worth steering clear of the first model year, so we'd avoid 2020. Even though it only has 40 consumer complaints logged on the NHTSA.gov website, that’s more than any other model year. CarComplaints.com dubs this the worst model year to buy due to interior problems. We’d rate 2022 as the second-worst year due to a low owner satisfaction score from Consumer Reports.
Is a used Hyundai Venue a good deal?
The Hyundai Venue tends to hold its value well. Even looking at the original 2020 model year, the average price at CarGurus.ca is roughly $15,000. To find the best value, we’d recommend focusing on model years and odometer readings. Furthermore, the Venue is generally considered one of the cheapest vehicles in its segment to own due to its excellent fuel efficiency, low maintenance needs, and low insurance rates
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Excellent value for money
- Good fuel economy
- Small and easy to park
Cons:
- Sluggish performance
- Not much cargo space
- Excessive interior noise
Hyundai Venue Generations
Hyundai Venue First Generation (2020-Present)
When the Hyundai Venue entered the market for the 2020 model year, it raised the bar on the entry-level subcompact SUV category with a lot of features for the money. It is also one of the smallest SUVs sold in North America.
To help keep costs down, this is a front-wheel-drive (FWD) only model that shares a platform with the now-defunct Accent. The Venue is equipped with a 1.6-litre inline-four engine that delivers 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. Though it is not offered with all-wheel drive, some trims have a “Snow Mode” that adapts the way the engine and brakes react to maximize grip in slippery conditions. The 2020 to 2022 models had a six-speed manual transmission with the base Essential trim, and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) was available on the base and standard on all other trims. The manual was dropped in Canada for 2023, and the CVT became the only option.
At launch, the Venue had four trims in Canada: Essential, Preferred, Trend, and Ultimate. In 2022, an Urban trim was added that slotted in just beneath the Ultimate. Both Trend and Urban were dropped for 2023, leaving the Essential, Preferred, and Ultimate trims that have remained through 2026.
Standard features for the SE model at launch included 15-inch steel wheels, an 8-inch infotainment screen, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a manual tilt/telescoping steering wheel, heated front seats, heated and power-adjustable side mirrors, power windows, and keyless entry. The Preferred trim added drive modes, 15-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, a leather-trimmed and heated steering wheel, cruise control, push-button start, and a safety suite including lane keep assist, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a driver attention monitor, and automatic high beams.
The Trend trim received 17-inch alloy wheels, a power sunroof, and an extra USB port for the front row, but it removed some of the safety features included with the Preferred trim. The available Urban package added LED headlights, two-tone paint, and upgraded cloth upholstery. Finally, the Ultimate trim restored the driver assist technologies and also added LED exterior lighting, a high-definition touchscreen, automatic climate control, and four-wheel disc brakes.
Though the Venue got a mid-cycle refresh in other markets in 2023, this did not come to North America. This was also the model year where the manual transmission was dropped.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) consistently gives the Hyundai Venue a four-out-of-five-star safety rating across all model years. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) initially awarded the Venue a Top Safety Pick designation for model years 2020 through 2023, but the Venue fell off this list in 2024 when the IIHS updated its crash test methods.
Though the Hyundai Venue has so far remained relatively problem-free, there are a few recalls and problems to watch out for. The 2020 to 2023 models were recalled for seat belt pretensioners that could explode in the event of a crash. Additionally, some 2024 models were recalled for a potential short in the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve, which could cause a sudden loss of drive power. Buyers should ensure both these recalls have been addressed. Additional complaints to watch out for include a bucking or slipping CVT (2020 to 2022), infotainment freezes (2020 to 2021), an inoperable horn, excessive oil consumption, and fuel pump failures (2020 to 2021).
At the time of writing, more than 700 used Hyundai Venues were listed on CarGurus.ca. Prices range from about $9,000 for a 2021 Preferred with nearly 200,000 kilometres to about $30,000 for a 2023 Ultimate with about 22,000 kilometres. Cars with fewer than 100,000 kilometres and no damage or accidents reported start from $14,000, and there are plenty of options of varying trims and years below $20,000.
Related Topics
