The New 2022 Hyundai Venue SUV

The smallest of all the models from the brand, the new 2022 Hyundai Venue, makes news as the smallest and least expensive model in the lineup. Hyundai calls this entry-level model an Urban Compact Sport Utility Vehicle. We call it a warrior. Yes! A warrior for your dollars, especially when things are tight. Napleton News spent a week in the new Venue. Here’s what we thought.

What makes the 2022 Hyundai Venue worthy?

The 2022 Hyundai Venue offers interesting styling in a subcompact SUV. Let’s call it what it is: Cute. It resembles its corporate cousin, the Kia Soul, which seats five and features a single means of motivation. A single engine choice is on offer. In this case, it’s a 1.6-liter inline-4 cylinder that makes 121 horsepower and 113 lb-ft of torque. This engine is matched to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which is one of the better examples of this transmission type. Versions from other manufacturers tend to drone on with a disturbing moan as the vehicle’s speed increases. Not so, here.

Front wheel drive is standard, and incidentally, the only drivetrain the Venue is offered with.

How does the Hyundai Venue look?

From 100 feet, there is no question this is a Hyundai. The looks are unmistakable. The Venue features a grille similar to that found on Hyundai Palisade and Santa Fe models. Dimensionally similar to the Kia Soul, it is available in various colors, including Denim Blue with a white roof, Galactic Grey and Ceramic White with a Black roof. Because of its small size, the Hyundai Venue can be parked literally anywhere.

It features a bold face with a wide stance, LED headlights and taillights.

The 2022 Hyundai Venue is available in three trim levels ranging from base SE, mid-range SEL and top shelf Limited model.

They include the following:

• The Hyundai Venue SE: Includes 1.6-liter inline-4 with CVT transmission, 15-inch wheels, HD Radio, Driver Attention Warning that monitors steering input, vehicle lane position and driver attention monitoring.

• Hyundai Venue SEL Model: Adds 17-inch alloy wheels, sunroof, USB ports, a six-speaker audio system, automatic climate control, blind-spot monitor, leather steering wheel and shifter knob.

• Hyundai Venue Limited: Formerly known as the Denim model, it continues on as the Limited. It includes all the features of the SEL and adds forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian and cycling recognition. It also includes a Proximity key, Hyundai BlueLink connectivity and more.

How about inside the Venue?

The interior size of the 2022 Hyundai Venue is spacious even though it is a rather compact vehicle. The front seats offer good support and are roomy enough for the long haul. The rear seats are better suited to kids or adults but for shorter excursions. Cargo space behind the rear seat is squeezed, but that space opens up once you fold the second-row seatbacks forward.

The Venue includes features that everyone wants, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The features are all accessible on a user-friendly 8-inch touchscreen display. The Apple and Android systems are so prevalent these days that if someone gave you a stock tip involving a navigation company, we would strongly advise against it.

Driving the Hyundai Venue

The Hyundai Venue is a small but mighty runabout perfect for city use, enabling quick “in and outs” as a delivery vehicle or simply as a family vehicle. Its small footprint makes parking a breeze, and the diminutive size also helps in the mileage department, which can be a double-edged sword.

The reality is that the 1.6-liter inline-4 powering the Venue offers great acceleration for most situations, including around-town “swoop and scoops” as well as drive times around the neighborhood. We would recommend that entrances from on-ramps to limited access highways and turnpikes are best planned in advance. It’s not because the Venue is not capable of running at high speeds with the big dogs. Instead, we think acceleration should come on faster.

For that reason, and whether it’s true or not, we would love to start a rumor: Next year’s Hyundai Venue comes with a turbocharged engine.

The Hyundai Venue shows that just because a car is inexpensive doesn’t mean that it is cheap. With a base MSRP of $20,650 for the Hyundai Venue SE, it’s one of the best values on the road today.