Just before it begins arriving in dealer lots across
the United States towards the end of November, Hyundai has dropped pricing for
its new entry-level small SUV. The 2020 Venue starts from US$ 17,250 rising to US$ 22,050 for the most expensive
version, to which you’ll have to add a US$ 1,095 freight charge.
All Venues come with a standard 121 horsepower
1.6-liter 4-cylinder hooked up to either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed
CVT that Hyundai calls IVT, as in “Intelligent Variable Transmission”. Looking through the specs we see
that the base US$ 17,250 MSRP is for the manual gearbox SE model (as with other
such models of the sort, good luck finding it readily-available in dealer
lots), with the automatic being a US$ 1,250 option on the sub-compact SUV, lifting
its MSRP to US$ 18,450.
That puts the spotlight on the larger Kona. Besides
getting a more powerful 147 horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder also comes with
a standard automatic 6sp transmission. While the base 2020 Kona SE starts at US$ 20,100, Hyundai is currently running a promotion through December
2, 2019, offering a US$ 1,000 bonus cash bringing the MSRP down to US$ 19,100 or just US$ 650 more than the automatic Venue.
That not only sounds like a better deal to us
(bigger car, more power), but also suggests that Hyundai wants to move more
Konas off their lots before the end of the year, so it’s possible the
salespeople will cut you an even sweeter deal if you play your cards (and poker
face) right on the negotiation table. The Venue, on the other hand, is a brand
new arrival, so don’t expect any favors for now.
Back to the Venue, there are three core trim levels,
the aforementioned SE, the SEL that can also be had with the Convenience and
Premium packages, and the Denim.
From Hyundai, we learn that the base SE has the
following standard features: 3.5-inch TFT Instrument cluster display, rearview
monitor, 8-inch AM/FM/HD® Radio Audio System with Apple CarPlayand Android
Autowith four speakers, first row USB charge port, 12V outlet, Bluetooth
hands-free phone, steering wheel audio controls, cruise control, automatic
headlights, air conditioning, remote keyless entry and an exterior temperature
display.
Venue also includes Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of
standard safety features including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with
Pedestrian Detection, Lane Keeping Assist and Driver Attention Warning,
Electronic Stability Control, Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) with Traction
Control as well as front, side and head curtain airbags each as standard
equipment.
Hyundai’s press blurb is not clear on what the plain
SEL trim adds over the SE, but it does say what the Convenience and Premium
packages contribute:
- In addition to the SE package level details, the Convenience package includes a power sunroof, sliding armrest storage box, leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob and Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW) with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning (RCCW).
- The Premium package requires the Convenience package and also includes: heated front seats and side mirrors, LED headlights, LED Daytime Running Lights and taillights, 17-inch alloy wheels with 205/55 R17 tires, proximity key with push button start, 8-inch Navigation AM/FM/HD/SiriusXM and Hyundai’s Blue Link Connected Car System.
As for the two-tone Denim model:
- The Denim trim package includes exclusive Denim exterior color, contrasting white roof and select trim pieces, exclusive Denim interior color with cloth and leatherette combination front seats. This trim can be in place of or in addition to the SEL Premium package. A sunroof is not optional on the Denim trim.
- You will be able to choose from seven different colors named Black Noir Pearl, Ceramic White, Scarlet Red Pearl, Intense Blue, Stellar Silver, Galactic Gray and Green Apple, with the Denim model featuring an exclusive “Denim” color. Selections for the interior are limited to black and grey.
