Hyundai Venue vs Kona: Which Subcompact SUV Should You Buy?
Hyundai Venue vs Kona: Which Subcompact SUV Should You Buy?
Two Small SUVs, Two Different Personalities
If you’re shopping for a Hyundai SUV that’s easy to park and fun to drive, you’ve probably wondered how the Hyundai Venue vs. Kona matchup shakes out. Both are compact, both are loaded with tech, and both carry Hyundai’s excellent warranty. But they serve different drivers in some pretty clear ways. At Ray Skillman Avon Hyundai, we carry both models and can walk you through every trim level to find the one that fits your life in Avon, IN.
- The Venue is Hyundai’s most affordable SUV, starting around $20,200 MSRP with strong fuel efficiency at an EPA-estimated 31 MPG combined.
- The Kona offers an available turbo engine with 190 horsepower and available HTRAC all-wheel drive for drivers who want more punch and all-weather grip.
- Both models come with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, forward collision avoidance, and lane keeping assist right out of the box.
Picking between these two really comes down to what you need most. Do you want the lowest possible price tag and a nimble city car? Or would you rather have a bigger cabin, more power options, and all-wheel drive? Let’s break it down.
Size and Space
Both the Venue and Kona are compact enough for easy city driving, but the Kona is larger in almost every dimension except height. That translates to more legroom for rear passengers, more shoulder room, and more cargo space. The Kona offers about 27.2 cubic feet of cargo behind the rear seats, with 40:20:40 folding rear seats that give you extra loading flexibility. The Venue offers about 18.7 cubic feet behind its rear seats, or 31.9 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. If you regularly carry passengers in the back or need to haul gear for weekend getaways, the Kona gives you extra breathing room. Stop by our lot in Avon to sit in both and see how each one fits your day-to-day.
Power and Drivetrain
The Venue runs a 121-hp 1.6L four-cylinder engine paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive. It’s peppy enough for city driving and daily commutes around the Avon area, and there’s no turbo or AWD option. The Kona comes in four trims: SE, SEL Sport, SEL Premium, and Limited. The SE and SEL Sport are powered by a 147-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder paired with a CVT. A 190-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder is standard on the SEL Premium and Limited trims, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is available on every Kona trim. That’s a big deal if you deal with Indiana winters.
Technology and Comfort
Both models come standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and both get touchscreen infotainment systems. The Kona SE starts with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, while the Venue’s base SE gets an 8-inch display. Step up to the Kona SEL Premium and you’ll also get a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a power driver’s seat, and 19-inch wheels. The Kona Limited adds a moonroof, a hands-free power liftgate, navigation, and a Bose premium audio system with ventilated front seats. The Venue SEL counters with heated seats, wireless device charging, and a tilt-and-slide sunroof at a lower price point. If you’d like to compare the screens and controls side by side, schedule a test drive and we’ll get you into both.
Safety That Comes Standard
Hyundai packs both the Venue and the Kona with driver-assist features as standard equipment. You get forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist, and driver attention warnings on both. The Kona also includes adaptive cruise control with stop and go, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-centering assistance as standard across all trims. The Kona has earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating, which is the highest award the organization gives. Blind spot monitoring is available on the Venue SEL but comes standard on every Kona.
Hyundai Venue vs. Kona Feature Comparison
| Feature | Venue SE | Venue SEL | Kona SE | Kona SEL Sport | Kona SEL Premium | Kona Limited |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $20,200 | $22,825 | $25,250 | $27,150 | $30,050 | $32,250 |
| Engine | 1.6L 4-Cyl | 1.6L 4-Cyl | 2.0L 4-Cyl | 2.0L 4-Cyl | 1.6L Turbo | 1.6L Turbo |
| Horsepower | 121 hp | 121 hp | 147 hp | 147 hp | 190 hp | 190 hp |
| Combined MPG (FWD) | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 28 |
| AWD Available | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Touchscreen | 8″ | 8″ | 12.3″ | 12.3″ | 12.3″ | 12.3″ |
| Blind Spot Monitoring | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Heated Front Seats | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless Charging | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty (Basic / Powertrain) | 5 yr / 60K & 10 yr / 100K | 5 yr / 60K & 10 yr / 100K | ||||
Which One Is Right for You?
If keeping your monthly payment as low as possible is the goal, the Venue is hard to beat. Hyundai recently replaced the Venue’s Limited trim with a new SEL with 2-Tone Roof option, so you can still get a head-turning look without stretching your budget. It’s a great pick for daily commuting and quick errands around Avon.
If you want a bit more room, more power, and the flexibility of all-wheel drive for Indiana’s unpredictable weather, the Kona is worth the step up. The turbo engine on the SEL Premium and Limited trims gives you noticeably quicker acceleration for highway merging and passing. And the Kona’s bigger cargo area is a real plus if you like weekend road trips. Fill out our quick finance application online, and we’ll have numbers ready before you even walk in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Hyundai Venue smaller than the Kona?
Yes. The Venue is Hyundai’s smallest SUV. It sits lower, has a shorter wheelbase, and offers less cargo space than the Kona. On the flip side, its compact size makes it one of the easiest SUVs to park and maneuver in tight spots.
Can you get all-wheel drive on the Hyundai Venue?
No. The Venue is front-wheel drive only. If you need AWD for winter driving or extra traction, the Kona offers Hyundai’s HTRAC all-wheel-drive system on every trim for about $1,500 more.
Which model gets better gas mileage?
Both the Venue and the Kona’s base engine earn an EPA-estimated 31 MPG combined with front-wheel drive. The Kona’s turbo engine drops to around 28 MPG combined, so if fuel efficiency is your top concern, the Venue or the Kona SE are your best bets.
Do both models have the same warranty?
Yes. Both come with Hyundai’s 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage. That’s one of the best warranty packages you’ll find on any new vehicle.
See Both Models at Ray Skillman Avon Hyundai
Whether you’re leaning toward the Venue or the Kona, the best way to decide is to get behind the wheel. We keep both models in stock here in Avon, IN, and our team is happy to set up back-to-back test drives so you can feel the difference for yourself. Browse our new Hyundai inventory online to see what’s available, or stop by and let us help you find the right fit. We’ll work with you on financing options that match your budget, and we’ll make sure you drive away with confidence.