2021 Hyundai Venue SEL Review by Mark Fulmer

A Friendly-to-the-Pocketbook Urban Shuttlecraft

By Mark Fulmer
The Auto Channel

The 2021 Venue SEL is an upper level trim of this urban oriented runabout which puts its sticker in the 23K range however the base model is priced at 18K which will appeal to budget-oriented singles, couples, and small families. The design has a bit of a blocky look but the angles are followed through on the rectangular-shaped daytime running lights in front and the taillights clusters. The SEL features a chrome grille, 17-inch alloys, and roof side rails.

The power is supplied by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 121 horsepower and 113 lb-ft of torque. It's connected with a CVT transmission and front wheel driven. There’s no all-wheel drive, and only around 6.7 inches of ground clearance, and thus is more of a crossover than a SUV. On city streets it is a peppy little character is easy to manuver and park. It is also easy on the fuel cost coming in at 32 mpg combined.

Front-seats are comfortable with manual adjustments. The design is simple, and straightforward with all the usual instrumentation including a manual volume knob, and audio with presets that can be controlled by the usual steering wheel buttons and levers. Leg and headroom is quite adequit for my 6 foot frame, and the seat heaters fire up quickly and even on those not so cold days feel great on funky lower backs.

The back seat has 34.3 inches of leg room and 39 inches of head room, and feels roomier than it is. The middle "seat" in the back is useful for those who are either narrow of hip or very used to snuggling against their rear seatmates.

In terms of safety the Venue does very well. The IIHS gives it a Top Safety Pick award. The Venue has active lane control and automatic high beams, and (what should be required on all vehicles) blind-spot monitors. Also included are tire-pressure monitoring, a rearview camera, vehicle stability management, electronic stability control, traction control, and ABS brakes. There are six airbags with dual-front, front-side, and curtain airbags for all outer seats.

Behind the rear seats,there is 18.7 cubic feet of cargo space. The cargo floor can be lowered by folding down the 60/40-split-folding rear seats, cargo space increases to 31.9 cubes

Yes, the Venue comes with one of the Hyundai legendary warranties. The five-year/60,000-mile new vehicle warranty is complemented by a ten-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. A seven-year anti-perforation warranty applies regardless of mileage covered, while 24-hour roadside assistance runs for five years.