ALL-NEW HYUNDAI VENUE IS VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!

By NITISH S. RELE – motoringtampabay@gmail.com

The Hyundai lineup of SUVs (starting with Kona, Tucson, Santa Fe and Palisade) just got another addition and a welcome one at that. The all-new 2020 subcompact Venue may appear small but it’s a fun and sweet ride to take on the road.

It is equipped with a 1.6-liter inline-4 cylinder engine putting out 121 horsepower @ 6300 rpm and 113 pounds-feet of torque @ 4500 rpm. Mated to an intelligent variable transmission (manual is available), it comes in normal, sport and even snow modes. An independent MacPherson strut front and torsion beam rear suspension does a particularly good job of soaking bumps and potholes with skill and in the front-wheel-drive SUV. Also worth noting is the motor driven power rack-and-pinion steering, effortless at higher speeds or while pulling into a parking lot.

The sharp-looking Venue portrays a prominent hexagonal grille and sculptured hood, aggressively raked wheel arches, upright windshield, LED headlights and tail lamps and chrome dual tips. With total passenger volume of 110.6 cubic feet, the cabin is spacious for five to sit in comfort and style. Amenities include auto a/c, 3.5-inch multi-information display, tilt/telescopic steering column, 8-inch touchscreen display with rearview camera (premium package), 6-way height-adjustable driver’s seat, center console, 60/40 second-row seat, power door locks and windows, body-color exterior mirrors and door handles, and more.

Standard safety features include dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag, four-wheel antilock brakes with electronic brake distribution and brake assist, front/rear crumple zones, electronic stability and traction control, hill-start and lane-keep assist, front seatbelt pretensioners, remote keyless entry and tire pressure monitoring system. Opt for the $1,150 convenience package and you will get blind-spot and rear cross-traffic collision warning, as well as power sun roof, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, and sliding armrest bin.

Base-priced at $19,150, our Venue topped at just $23,280, which is a heck of a deal. The power train, though not impressive on paper, results in a responsive ride, sharp handling and decent overall cornering balance. And Hyundai’s impressive five-year, 60,000-mile basic, and 10-year, 100,000-mile power train warranties should convince you to sign on the dotted line.

VENUE (SEL)

Tires: P205/55R17

Wheelbase: 99.2 inches

Length: 159.1 inches

Weight: 2,738 pounds

Fuel capacity: 11.9 gallons

City: 30 mpg

Highway: 34 mpg

Web site: www.hyundai.com