Hyundai goes small with Venue crossover SUV
Hyundai is wading deeper into the booming SUV market.
The Korean automaker introduced its cheapest crossover SUV on Wednesday at the New York Auto Show. Called the 2020 Venue, the pintsize subcompact expands the brand’s light-truck lineup to six, including Kona, Nexo, Tuscon, Santa Fe and Palisade.
Stocky, boxy and hard-edged, the Venue is the tiniest of the bunch, just smaller than its older sibling Kona. While the two vehicles share similar grille shapes, the newest family member symbolizes “a trendy, unique style,” according to Hyundai.
The vehicle is for “those consumers seeking savvy design with an abundance of standard safety, technology and connectivity features,” O’Brien said.
Here’s everything you need to know:
❚ Size: Light trucks, like those in Hyundai’s lineup, are killing car sales so automakers are increasingly releasing products to address shifting driver preferences. The automakers newest SUV is positioned to go after other small crossovers such as the Ford EcoSport, which is about 3 inches shorter in length than Kona. The vehicle replaces the subcompact Accent in Hyundai’s lineup, according to IHS Markit analysts.
For an overall size comparison, the length of the Venue is 5 inches smaller than the 2018 Kona, and the width is 1.2 inches narrower.
❚ Connectivity: Small size doesn’t necessarily mean basic. Inside the car, Hyundai integrated the 8-inch touchscreen between the center air vents. The advanced infotainment system features both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
❚ Power: The SUV is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 6speed manual transmission.
❚ Price: Hyundai hasn’t said, but the Kona starts at $19,990, and the new car is expected to be cheaper than that.