Hyundai Venue vs Kona: Which Compact SUV is Right for You?

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Hyundai Venue vs Kona: Which Compact SUV is Right for You?

Posted on January 15, 2025

While both are designed for city driving, the Hyundai Kona and the Hyundai Venue each offer unique benefits, catering to different lifestyles and preferences. If you're on the fence between purchasing one of these two models from Country Hills Hyundai, our team is here to help. Read on to learn more about our perspective on the Hyundai Venue vs. Kona, including a closer look at their design, performance, features, and pricing, to help you pick the right SUV for your needs.

Key Takeaways

• The Hyundai Venue is a cost-effective option ideal for city driving, while the Hyundai Kona offers enhanced features and performance for those willing to invest more.
• In terms of interior comfort, the Hyundai Kona provides slightly more space and advanced features, making it better suited for longer journeys compared to the Hyundai Venue.
• The Hyundai Kona stands out with more cargo space and a quieter ride on the highway, whereas the Hyundai Venue excels in maneuverability in city environments.
• Both the Hyundai Venue and Kona come equipped with modern technology and safety features, though the Kona offers additional luxuries like adaptive cruise control and a more comprehensive safety suite.
• For those considering electric options, the Hyundai Kona EV offers impressive range and efficiency, making it a great choice for eco-conscious drivers.

Overview of Hyundai Venue vs Kona

The Hyundai Venue and Hyundai Kona are both subcompact SUVs known for their easy handling and roomy interiors, making them great for families or daily commutes. Our sales advisors consider the Venue as the more budget-friendly choice, perfect for practical city driving or for those who prefer a straightforward ride. On the other hand, the Kona stands out with its eye-catching design and a broader range of features and capabilities.

When it comes to pricing, both the Hyundai Venue and Kona are competitive within the compact SUV segment. The Venue, priced around $23,500, is an economical option for those looking for reliability without breaking the bank. Meanwhile, the Kona, with a slightly higher price tag at around $28,500, offers additional features and stronger performance for drivers who want a bit more from their vehicle.

Both models, the Hyundai Venue and the Hyundai Kona, cater to different preferences and needs. Whether you're focused on fuel efficiency, advanced tech, or a stylish and comfy ride, both vehicles provide appealing options.

Design and Interior Space

Design and interior space are key factors that affect a vehicle’s comfort and practicality. Both the Hyundai Venue and Kona offer roomy interiors, making them great for families while ensuring they remain easy to handle.

Exterior Design

The Hyundai Venue is a compact SUV, measuring 159.1 inches in length, making it a fantastic choice for city driving and squeezing into tight parking spots. Its taller profile gives it a unique look that turns heads, and you can even add a personal touch with a two-tone roof option in black or white.

On the flip side, the Hyundai Kona offers a charming and practical design, featuring futuristic paneling and a flat floor in the back row. Its standout lighting features, like pixel-inspired LED lights and a sleek LED strip across the front, give it a modern vibe. The Kona's slightly larger size not only enhances its style but also means more room inside.

Interior Design and Comfort

When you step inside the Hyundai Kona, you'll immediately notice it has a bit more room compared to the Venue. The Kona boasts 41.5 inches of legroom in the front, just a smidge more than the Venue's 41.3 inches. This small difference can really enhance comfort on those longer drives. Plus, the Kona's design includes upgraded rear seat cushioning, making it a comfy ride for passengers.

On the flip side, while the Venue is slightly more compact, it doesn't compromise on comfort. Its straightforward yet appealing interior design ensures all the essential features are easily accessible. Notably, the Venue offers 20 mm more headroom at the rear, which is a real plus for taller passengers, giving them more space to relax.

Both models come with heated front seats and generous interior space, but we think that the Kona's slightly bigger size and extra comfort features give it a slight edge in the comfort department. Whether you're in the front or back seat, the Kona promises a cozy ride.

Cargo Space and Storage

When it comes to cargo space, the Hyundai Kona definitely takes the spotlight. With the rear seats folded down, it offers a spacious 1241 liters, compared to the Venue’s 528 liters. This makes the Kona a great pick for anyone who often carries larger items or needs that extra storage room.

The Kona’s trunk size is 355 liters, providing plenty of space for daily errands or weekend adventures. While the Venue is more compact, it still offers decent cargo room behind the second row, making it a smart choice for city folks who need a vehicle that’s both compact and versatile.

As our sales advisors note, if having more cargo space is high on your list, the Hyundai Kona’s bigger capacity will likely suit your needs better than the Venue. However, the Venue’s smaller size and clever use of space make it a top contender for urban settings where parking and maneuverability are key.

Performance and Driving Experience

Performance and driving experience are pivotal when choosing between the Hyundai Venue and the Hyundai Kona. Both models offer a variety of engine options designed to cater to different driving needs, but they each bring a unique feel to the road.

Let's delve into the specifics of their engines, driving dynamics, and transmissions.

Engine Options and Power

The Hyundai Venue features a single powertrain option: a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 121 horsepower and 151 Nm of torque. This engine is designed to be fuel-efficient, achieving an estimated 29 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway, contributing to its overall fuel economy.

On the other hand, the Hyundai Kona offers multiple engine choices, including a turbocharged option that can produce up to 195 horsepower. The available engines for the Kona include a 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a 1.6-liter turbo engine, providing drivers with more power and performance flexibility. Our technicians note that this makes the Kona a better choice for those who crave a bit more power under the hood.

Driving Dynamics

We've previously praised the reliability of the Hyundai Kona, and it does not disappoint in other areas of the driving experience either. The driving dynamics of the Hyundai Kona are designed to provide a sportier ride with precise steering and good insulation for a quieter experience on the highway. The Kona’s ride comfort is well-cushioned, making it suitable for both city and highway driving. Its firm steering feedback ensures a responsive and engaging drive.

Meanwhile, the Hyundai Venue excels in urban environments with its nimble handling and comfort. Designed with terrain modes for Snow, Sand, and Mud, the Venue offers versatility that enhances performance in various driving conditions. While it may not be as sporty as the Kona, the Venue’s easy maneuverability makes it a practical choice for city driving.

Transmission and Gear Ratio

Transmission plays a big role in how a vehicle drives. The Hyundai Venue gives you the option of a Manual or an Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT), which fine-tunes gear ratios for better fuel efficiency, especially in city traffic. This setup ensures a smooth and cost-effective ride, ideal for everyday commuting.

In contrast, the Hyundai Kona offers a choice between a Manual and a Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT), which provides faster gear changes and boosts acceleration. The DCT offers a sportier vibe, perfect for those who enjoy a more dynamic driving experience.

Features and Technology

Both the Hyundai Venue and Kona come equipped with advanced technology features for modern convenience and comfort. The Venue offers a wireless charging pad as part of its standard equipment in the Elite model, making it easy to keep your devices powered up on the go.

The Hyundai Venue's standard features also include a rearview camera, an 8-inch touchscreen display, and Bluetooth connectivity. It also comes with automatic temperature control and defogger, which ensures that the cabin remains comfortable no matter the weather.

The Hyundai Kona, on the other hand, offers a much more luxurious experience compared to its price range. It features an upscale interior made of high-quality materials, as well as heated seats and an infotainment system that supports smartphone connectivity.

The Kona takes it a step further with a dual 12.3-inch technology screen setup, enhancing the modern feel of its interior. Additionally, features like adaptive cruise control and remote engine start are available, providing a more sophisticated tech setup compared to the Venue.

Safety Features

When it comes to safety, both the Hyundai Venue and Hyundai Kona offer advanced tech. The Hyundai Venue includes six airbags, electronic stability control, traction control, and lane-keeping assist.

The Kona, on the other hand, offers seven airbags, including curtain airbags, for added protection and a suite of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, lane departure alert, and a 360-degree view camera system. These features contribute to a safer driving experience and provide greater peace of mind.

According to our sales advisors and technicians, the Kona’s additional airbags and comprehensive safety suite give it an edge in the safety department. However, whether you prioritize safety features or are looking for a well-rounded package, both the Hyundai Venue and Kona have you covered.

Price and Value

Though there are many benefits to buying a new car, many of our customers are often hesitant about the high price point compared to used models. Luckily, the base model of the Hyundai Venue is priced at around $23,500, with the mid-range Venue Preferred trim available for just over $25,500 and the most expensive variant priced at about $28,000. This makes the Venue an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers looking for a reliable and economical vehicle.

On the other hand, the Hyundai Kona starts at just under $29,000 for the base model, with the Preferred variant coming in at approximately $31,500 and the fully loaded variants reaching up to approximately $38,000. While pricier, our sales advisors note that the broader pricing spectrum of the Kona reflects its additional features and more powerful engine options, catering to those willing to spend a bit more for extra capabilities and comfort.

For more information, be sure to check in with one of our sales advisors to discuss financing options!

Practicality and Usability

When it comes to seating capacity and comfort, both the Hyundai Venue and Kona deliver, but with some differences that can be crucial for daily commutes or long road trips. The Hyundai Kona offers a tad more legroom and headroom in the back seat, with 35.2 inches of legroom and 37.8 inches of headroom, compared to the Venue's 34.3 inches of legroom and 38.6 inches of headroom. While these numbers might seem close, they make a noticeable difference for taller passengers.

The Kona also steps up the comfort game with better rear seat cushioning and a roomy bench seat with a flat floor, making it a comfy choice for longer journeys and family trips. As for the Venue, it's a bit more compact but doesn't skimp on comfort. Its interior is practical and cozy, ensuring a pleasant ride for everyone on board.

City vs Highway Driving

The Hyundai Venue is perfect for city driving. Its compact design makes parking and navigating tight spots a breeze, an ideal choice for those living in urban areas. While the Venue's nimble handling is great for city streets, it might not pack as much punch on the highway compared to the Kona.

Meanwhile, the Hyundai Kona, with its slightly larger build, also shines in city settings. Its lively performance and 360-degree camera make parking hassle-free.

On the highway, the Kona delivers a quieter ride and feels more balanced, though you might notice a bit of wind noise. Overall, the Kona offers a versatile driving experience, handling both city and highway conditions with ease.

Electric and Hybrid Options

If you're thinking about switching to electric vehicles, the Hyundai Kona EV is definitely worth a look. Electric cars like the Kona EV are super efficient, converting about 80% of electrical energy into mechanical energy, which is way more than what gas vehicles offer. The Kona EV comes loaded with features specifically for electric car enthusiasts, like energy consumption tracking and regenerative braking that boosts efficiency, especially on hilly roads.

The electric motor in the Premium Extended Range model of the Hyundai Kona packs a punch with a 150 kW output, delivering strong performance. With a range of 415 km on a single charge, the Kona EV is perfect for both city commutes and long road trips without needing constant recharges.

Summary

Deciding between the Hyundai Venue and Hyundai Kona really comes down to what you’re looking for in a car. The Venue is a great pick if you’re after a budget-friendly ride that’s perfect for city life, with all the must-have features and a comfy feel. Its compact size is ideal for zipping around town and squeezing into tight parking spots.

Meanwhile, the Hyundai Kona brings a bit more to the table with its versatile driving capabilities and roomier interior. Plus, if you’re thinking green, the Kona’s electric model is a smart choice, offering great savings on fuel and maintenance. Whether you’re focused on keeping costs low, want a bit more power, or are leaning towards sustainability, both the Hyundai Venue and Kona offer something worthwhile.

Visit us today or shoot us an email to learn more about these models and book a test drive.