Cars are getting more expensive, with the average new car price currently at just over $47,000. That’s a lot. In fact, only four of the 41 cars I’ve owned have made it over that MSRP. Plus, the press loaners they send us are typically the top trim level, so I rarely test a truly inexpensive car. So, I was excited to spend a week with the 2024 Hyundai Venue. The base trim starts at just under $20,000, and even our maxed-out Limited trim starts at a reasonable $23,150. Let’s see how it does.


2024 Hyundai Venue Overview
The smallest SUV in the lineup comes in three trim levels: SE, SEL, and Limited. All trim levels get a 1.6L four-cylinder, putting out 121 horsepower and 113 lb-ft of torque. Even the base SE is well-equipped, particularly in terms of price. On the tech side, it’s got a nicely sized eight-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple and Android connectivity, plus a host of driver aids.

Hop up to the Limited and get upgraded exterior features like LED headlights and taillights, plus heated mirrors. On the inside, you’ll find heated front seats, navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and…wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which is weird.

Our tester only adds a set of floor mats for $210. All in, you’re at just under $24,600 out the door. It seems like a lot of cars for the cash; let’s see what it’s like to live with for a week.







2024 Hyundai Venue Limited Inside & Out
There is something immediately plucky and likable about the Venue. It’s a great size and unique design that stands out without being weird for the sake of being weird. I love the strong profile; it looks like a little training shoe. Plus, the front and rear are generally bereft of frivolous design elements—unless you count the 16 little stars on either side below the reversing lights. Those aside, it’s all pretty simple and elegant for a small car.








The trend continues on the inside. My first impression was that it has a friendly, open, and airy interior. It has plenty of buttons without having too many. It’s a good mix of usability and simplicity, with big chunky dials and a decent-sized screen. Of note, neither the SEL nor Limited gives you any more screen size compared to the base SE, and that’s OK. It gets the job done.
When I first got into the Venue, I was confused about why I couldn’t pair my phone with CarPlay without plugging it in. It would connect Bluetooth audio but not CarPlay, and now I know it’s because the top-spec Limited doesn’t have wireless connectivity for some reason. Once things were hooked up, it was all pretty solid. There is surprisingly good bass from the stereo, little Venue goes boooooom.



With all seats in place, there are 18.7 cubic feet of space under the hatch in the back. That jumps up to 31.9 cubes with the rear seats folded. It’s small, but it’s easily workable for most day-to-day errands. As I was planning an upcoming move, the Venue held some bins with space to spare. The rear legroom is 34.3 inches, again not earth-shattering but not terrible. Overall, the Venue delivers a little SUV with just enough space to support 1-3 people on the daily.
2024 Hyundai Venue Limited On The Road
Out on the road, the naturally aspirated four-cylinder isn’t what you would call quick. It’s front-wheel-drive only and the trip to 60 mph is over nine seconds. However, the diminutive size means it has a fantastic turning radius and is very easy to drive in most situations. It’s funny that the shifter you use to select your gear and swap in and out of manual mode actually looks just like a manual.
If you are a little bit taller, putting your arm out the window is hard because the front doors are so small, but the overall driving position is comfortable. With an EPA-estimated 31-mpg combined, it’s pretty frugal as well. There are options out there that do better, but for a small SUV daily driver, that’s not bad.

Summary
Overall I really enjoyed my time in the 2024 Venue Limited. It’s a small SUV that reminds me of a hatchback car, and that’s a good thing. The price per feature is hard to beat, with all three trim levels delivering a ton of features for the price. I would have no problem recommending the Venue as a daily driver for someone on a budget or as a first car for a new driver.
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