Hyundai Venue 2020 long term review

We comprehensively test the new Hyundai Venue in the cheapest version it comes in, the Venue Go Manual, over four months. Is the new Venue the best compact SUV you can buy right now? Is it worth the price, which is higher than the old Hyundai Accent? Is a Mazda CX-3 a better bet, or a larger Kia Seltos or Hyundai Kona? There are strong rivals in this class, so you’ll want to be sure the 2020 Hyundai Venue is for you.
In this real world long-term review, Tom assesses what we liked about the Venue and what we didn't like over our detailed test.
What do you think of the Hyundai Venue? Do you prefer SUVs over hatchbacks? Should they have kept a small car like the i10 or i20? Is it worth the extra charge? Is the base model the right one to buy?
Let me know all of your thoughts in the comments.
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Covers long term ownership of the Hyundai Venue Go 2020 / 2021 Venue.
READ our detailed Australian coverage of the 2020 Hyundai range here: chasingcars.com.au

[@tpv59]

YOU are a EXCELLENT 'reviewer'. Keep up the GREAT work Tom. Regards.

[@old0range]

Awesome review Tom!! Agree it's exy for what it is. (Also loved that component about this review! The comparison to another car for value for money! Makes for very useful tips! Thanks!)

[@chasingcars]

No worries, glad it helped!

[@a.k722]

We bought one last week and we love it! It’s perfect size especially for city driving. Good on highways too. And our two dogs love sitting in the back.

[@mohdalilafi6828]

What is the feul consumption of it !

[@DS-gm8en]

Hi, I appreciate that in the comments about cars, which you are reviewing, you always find something positive in them, even if the product looks like......well, not as a dream car. Critical yes but never too extremely or even worst, insolting to any car no matter from where it is. Thank you.

[@chasingcars]

Thanks, DS. That’s how I try to do this job. There’s good (and not so good) in everything.

[@autonewstv86]

*Hyundai and Kia are offering something for everyone. Very smart. Well done* 😍

[@chasingcars]

They’re getting close to covering the field now.

[@malcolmscott4150]

Great review Tom - I agree it’s expensive for what is a small car - our market is becoming expensive for entry level cars with no kei car segment due to the costs of getting these cars to Australia and our relatively low fuel costs - if we go back to early 80’s we had Suzuki Hatch and Subaru Sherpa for example but crash safety regulations and a rising yen culled these but I do regret we don’t have these fun small vehicles anymore for first car buyers and those wanting a cheap clean runabout - the Accent was no marvel but much cheaper than the Venue with really the outdated Yaris being the price leader now before its updated

[@chasingcars]

Kia gets it right here with the Picanto, I reckon! Very cheap and cheerful. Review of the awesome $18k turbo GT model coming soon…

[@smule27]

Very useful review

[@chasingcars]

Thanks, Sam. Glad it was helpful.

[@IsaacLoven]

Fantastic it doesn't have Direct injection. This is one car that will last. All other new cars currently have direct injection that results in carbon build up and premature death just to increase efficiency by 1%. Well done hyundai.

[@johnebuckland]

100%

[@AndrewKNI]

I wish we had the Venue in the UK. Looks great and would be good for our narrow roads. There are a lot of positives for opting for a basic car :-)

[@chasingcars]

It’s truly compact. Great size for tight spaces.

[@abovethelaw4417]

Does hyundai make reliable manual cars?

[@realjohnboxall]

Every weekday we drive to the post office, and see an increasing number of the cheap new MGs and Havals on the road. If possible, it would be interesting to see your reviews of those lower-priced vehicles.

[@chasingcars]

Yes, I'd like to build more new-brand vehicles (and I do count MG as a new brand, as the cars aren't related to 'old' MG) into the mix.

[@franzchong5889]

@@chasingcars not a bad buy assuming you want new and need a baby suv.if not something like a last of the accent sports if you can find one low mileage 2019 with balance of warranty is a better buy or go find an elantra or i30.

[@michaelgardner4702]

Havals are just rebadged Great Wall. Most of those are in the wreckers by now. And when did you last see a Chery? MG as well is just cheap Chinese smallgoods on wheels.

[@wescam2958]

I think the price reflects the ever rising price of cars in general. Like in the house market. You always set the price a bit higher than the market in order to keep 'profits' coming in. There's nothing to be gained by selling to the cheap end neither in getting more customers nor in terms of increasing profit. Sell for as high as you can. The only thing that will bring the price down is if the vehicle does not sell, initially.

[@taohan2281]

Nice car for value and first car buyers. But I would suggest go for the new gen honda jazz (not in AUS yet) for the crossover version.

[@chasingcars]

Sadly it looks like the new Jazz may not even come to Australia.

[@StarFox85]

the indian hyundai right? have the best Sunday Tom👍

[@chasingcars]

Australian delivered Hyundai Venues are built in South Korea - but they are also made in India! Hope you had a good weekend too.

[@whatachola]

The 2021 SEL trim is $17,500 drive away at my local world car Hyundai. I live in Texas

[@wandayonder9772]

That's $23,280 Australian dollars.

[@jamesstuart3346]

Higher trim levels may have larger wheels and thinner tires, which may affect the ride. Pound some potholes before you buy

[@Peppermint1]

Don't be so quick to have those 'radar' detecting and driving help gimmicks. I had the radar on my Sonata and after bumping the rear of the car, one of the radar units become misaligned - Hyundai wanted to replace it - it's almost $1000 each piece (two of them). These are crazy expensive. Same with the rear park sensors, did you notice that most car companies put these sensors exactly where the bumper gets hit in parking lots ? One tiny bump and the sensor bracket cracks and you are in for another wooping $400 PART ALONE with love from Hyundai (there's only 4 of these on the rear bumper, a little math will teach us quick how cheap is a rear bumper cover replacement). As this was not enough, the Venue has those lights right in the corner of the bumpers exactly at the place that gets bumped the most by other cars when parking on the side of the road. As for the pricing, unfortunately the customers have their way to judge a price. For the average person, all entry level cars from all brands must be the same, like you are buying apples of something. People get so blinded by the price, they no longer stop to count the included equipment, or the performance, or the comfort. Maybe Hyundai has simply made a better car than the competition, and that is not always a matter of having a "soft" dashboard material - like we are sitting all day long on the dash itself. Speaking of reliability, I would recommend getting an extended warranty if keeping the car for long term.

[@chasingcars]

Yes, more complication increases costs in the event of damage. That is unfortunate. The big question is whether the new sensors contribute more to stopping crashes that would otherwise have happened without them. My personal belief is that yes, they do. For those who can drive and park attentively and with significant skill, maybe they are unnecessary - but that is not most people.

[@gordonclark7632]

Hyundai seem to be considering that they are can increase the prices of their vehicles due to the popularity of their range. It will come back to bite them if they continue in this way as happened to Mazda and Honda.

[@chasingcars]

There’s definitely a long term push towards greater profitability here, with less reliance on the lowest trim levels - will it work in Australia for Hyundai? We will see.

[@StarFox85]

same thought here buddy👍

[@hokmo4890]

WAS seriously looking to buy. At the crazy prices, Corolla hatch, here I come !!

[@JeansUA]

So would you recommend going MT over CVT in this case?

[@chasingcars]

I don’t mind either, to be honest.

[@joeb2588]

I recommend a manual in everything...

[@Junior6502001]

The South American version of this car sells quite well in countries like Brazil where they are called Creta. There are up market models with leather upholstery. One after market option of interest are the bullet proof windows; reinforced door panels and suspension; position tracking and other safety measures. For that one pays A$46k plus on road costs.

[@chasingcars]

A bulletproof Hyundai Venue - that is honestly not something I have ever even imagined. Too good!

[@abovethelaw4417]

Brazil is trash

[@ilijabosnjak76]

I think Venue would be great in warm climate,,Up here in Canada 🇨🇦 not so much I saw only 1 so far,,for us entry level vehicles 🚗 would be Tucson AWD with heated everything…I like EVs but pain in the ass with charging and anxiety of getting stranded is not very appealing,plus in winter 🥶 you can piss on it…

[@pattystockdale3711]

My Hyundai Venue 2020 's clutch and flywheel have gone out!

[@letsseeif]

Venue's hardly 'a bottom feeder' at this price. Hy's business plan seems intent on increasing the profit factor. I, think however, that doing a Mazda Honda might be something of a mistake. Yet.Hy, needs 'a feed in brand', but unlike Kia Au's Korean made Kia's Picanto, the i10 which is probably the obvious fill, seems 'zonked' by the Turkey (I think) made landed costs, thus ruling it out, & so no profit there.

[@chasingcars]

Wish the i10 didn't face the economic woes that it does for our market. Looks like a great little car.

[@letsseeif]

@@chasingcars Yep. Last year pre covid in Vanuatu, we saw numerous Hyunai i10 cars. Probably because they don't have to get ANCAP Ratings .. so prices are probably vastly cheaper.

[@toddm6999]

Best car ever and cheap I drove BMW and Mercedes cannot stand the price the service the gas consumption hence dialed back and got this little beauty and great on gas...next car might be electric but a 50k foget about it.

[@TheMikehaz]

I would defs go the polo

[@chasingcars]

Same, but these days plenty of people want that coveted higher driving position

[@TheMikehaz]

@@chasingcars love the reviews though :)

[@mrporsche4236]

Drive away price for this over $25 grand.Why is everyone on youtube saying its cheaper.

[@JimboJones99]

I would drive this car. Very cheap .. If only I knew how to drive a manual

[@chasingcars]

Never too late to learn.

[@brotendo]

@@chasingcars Amen to that. I think everyone should learn.

[@tpv59]

You can buy this car in a auto. FACT.

[@furballbear]

Economy car disguised as a mini SUV. These are overpriced for what you get which is why they're not selling too well here in the United States.

[@chasingcars]

That's pretty much it.

[@kardon]

overpriced? Wait till you see how much they cost in Singapore. even after currency conversion, hewhewhew

[@furballbear]

@@kardon When the full economic impact of the coronavirus virus pandemic is finally felt globally, nearly every vehicle will seem overpriced.

[@abovethelaw4417]

America is trash

[@hokmo4890]

You are right. For too expensive ...

[@chasingcars]

Compared to the Accent it’s a big step up.

[@carlosalmeida4415]

I thought this was a crossover. Not a SUV. I thought SUVs were 4 wheel drive.

[@leighpeddell8210]

VW Polo is no where near the size of the Venue, though

[@iBlogGadget]

Isn't it pronounced hee-uhn-day, not hee-oohn-day?

[@chasingcars]

The Hee is the important part

[@abovethelaw4417]

Hy un dye

[@stanwbaker]

@@abovethelaw4417 It's two syllables. "hyun" meaning young or contemporary "dai" meaning era or dynasty. Hyundai has positioned itself as opening Korea to the modern era.

[@furballbear]

Definitely overpriced for what is essentially a lifestyle vehicle. Add all-wheel-drive and maybe the price makes sense. In fact, with AWD it'd be an excellent vehicle.

[@alexj6408]

Yeah, I got bogged today, I was popping a kerb on my Venue to leave the unsealed carpark and my front wheels lost traction. Basically couldn't get out without rocking the car back and forth. AWD would have really helped. My previous XC90 AWD Volvo got out of the same spot with ease.

[@sammeni2911]

This car is not cheap. Not in South Africa anyway

[@abovethelaw4417]

South Africa is trash

[@wandayonder9772]

@@abovethelaw4417 that's a trash comment.

[@digitaldoc100]

Such a wimpy engine, it really needs an option for something better.

[@chasingcars]

The 1L turbo three cylinder offered in overseas markets would be a torquier addition.

[@digitaldoc100]

@@chasingcars Exactly, but Nissan here in the US just brings these boring, normally aspirated engines, with no options across the lower end of the line. If they want to get their sales back up, need to take some chances!

[@michaelgardner4702]

My 18 year old Mazda 2 has a 1.5L engine that pushes 80 bhp and is a similar sized car. It whizzes up to Cairns and back and has mostly been used on highway runs. Dubbo. Geelong. Not a problem. Around town it's zippy and quick off the traffic lights. The venue engine is a tad more powerful, That's why I'm going to buy a Venue because it's a welcome return to "tall boy" styled hatchbacks when the likes of Mazda replaced them with silly little low to the ground girly racers. Honda Jazz has also kept the faith.

[@joeb2588]

@@digitaldoc100 I avoid all turbos, gdi, and cvts. I don't have time to be at the mechanic all the time.

[@digitaldoc100]

@@joeb2588 Gonna be hard to avoid all the technologies you mention.

[@mrporsche4236]

Lane keeping assist should be scrapped its dangerous and causes lots of accidents in all cars that have it.If you cant keep in your lane you shouldnt be driving

[@lukelawrence6007]

My least favorite car

[@chasingcars]

Surely the SsangYong Stavic is objectively worse

[@jwn851]

First!

[@chasingcars]

Awesome job!

[@normanafif1268]

Will someone please teach Tom Baker how to pronounce Hyundai properly.

[@letsseeif]

Not on this channel, but on others, many reviewers cannot pronounce Hyundai correctly, and they also say 'HAITCH for AITCH ---> [sorry, but I'm a grammar nazi]

[@tpv59]

HOW do you pronounce it please? WHAT is the correct pronunciation please? Is it, 'Hun-die'?? Regards.

[@letsseeif]

@@tpv59 Hyundai US = 'Hundai' - whereas in Aussie/UK/NZ = it's -> 'Hi-un-die' said quickly as one word.

[@tpv59]

@@letsseeif THANK YOU, much APPRECIATED. (now I know!!)

[@michaelgardner4702]

When Hyundai were launched in Oz in the 1980s their TV ad was "Say Hi to Hyundai" - pronounced Hi, un die ( Hi as in high, die as in to die, fry). A few years later they replaced the recommended pronunciation as "Hyun day." (As in market day, bad hair day). So Tom is pronouncing it perfectly.

[@campbellreither550]

This car is so god damn ugly!

[@chasingcars]

The blocky styling certainly wont' be for everyone.