A Week With: 2022 Hyundai Venue Limited

With automakers routinely pushing prices for new vehicles into six figures, a backlash is bound to develop. But interest in less expensive vehicles is starting to emerge among some executives and product planners.

Hyundai, one the other hand, has kept its grip on what might be called the “most affordable” end of the market, a point underscored by vehicles such as the 2022 Hyundai Venue Limited, which offers buyers a nicely equipped vehicle with good fuel from its modest engine.  

In addition, the Venue manages nicely the everyday chores assigned to vehicles nowadays such as commuting, running errands, shopping and going out in the evening without taxing drivers or passengers.

Exterior

The 2022 Hyundai Venue Limited with a two-tone color scheme — light on the top and darker at the bottom — bears a faint, or well perhaps not so faint, resemblance to the Mini Cooper. Widely considered one of the best designs to come out of the post-World War II British auto industry, it was successfully updated and modernized years later by BMW for its own version of the Mini brand. 

The Venue comes with a handsome front fascia, which gives pride of place to the Hyundai badge and well-executed light fixtures. The Venue’s silhouette sits nicely over a wheelbase which is relatively generous for a compact for a four-seat compact vehicle. The rear liftgate also deftly completes what is an artfully executed exterior design, which is set off by 17-inch wheels, roof rails and body-colored mirrors.

Interior

The interior of the 2022 Hyundai Venue has a contemporary appearance and feel. The screen carrying the entertainment and navigation features is large compared to the relatively modest center console with its cup holders and small storage compartment. 

The materials and workmanship used throughout the cabin are also of good quality, so the Venue does not have the plastic overload that was once all too common in compact and subcompact cars of all makes and models in decades past. 

The view from the view of the road from the driver’s seat is excellent, while the seats are comfortable and rear seats can be use by adult passengers. There is also ample room under the liftgate packages and modest-sized suitcases or carry all’s.

Powertrain

The 2022 Hyundai Venue is equipped with a 1.6-liter, 4-cylinder engine with direct port injection and variable valve timing and is matched to an intelligent variable transmission. The powertrain in the Venue also is equipped with hill-start control and drive mode selection, which includes a mode for driving on snow.

The lightweight drivetrain produces 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has given the 2022 Venue a combined fuel economy rating of 31 mpg, which includes a rating of 29 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.

Safety and Technology

One of the impressive elements of the 2022 Venue is that Hyundai equipped it with a portfolio of advanced driver assistance features, including forward collision avoidance and pedestrian detection features, lane-keeping assistance with driver attention warning if the person behind the wheel loses their focus. It also has blind spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert. 

The Venue features airbags for front- and side-impact as well as rollover crashes. It boasts LED projection and daytime running lights as well as an AM-FM Radio with six speakers, 8-inch touch screen and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Venue also comes with an antenna with SiriusXM radio connection and Bluetooth, steering wheel controls and push-button start.

Driving Impressions

Driving, particularly in heavy traffic or on a string of errands where you have to maneuver in and out of scarce parking spaces, can be a chore. But the Venue was a pleasure to drive in all sorts of conditions. It handled well on varied road surfaces and the small powertrain gave the vehicle plenty of zip out on the freeway. 

Generally, I am not a fan of variable transmissions, but the one used in the Venue did not hesitate or stutter when it was called upon for an upshift or downshift. In addition, the four-wheel disc brakes produced plenty of stopping power and the suspension delivered a smooth ride. The cabin of the Venue is not very quiet and, as I noted, the vehicle is quite maneuverable, which can help relieve stress.

2022 Hyundai Venue Limited Specifications

Wrap Up

The 2022 Venue might not be the vehicle American suburbanites dream about or purchase after their lottery club hits it big. However, it is a practical vehicle endowed with a thoughtful design and a long list of desirable features even if it is on the small side. It is also eminently affordable for working couples or small families with a manufacturer suggested retail prices of $23,530. The power of the attractive price should not be underestimated.

2022 Hyundai Venue Limited ­— Frequently Asked Questions