In these changing times, car manufacturers have adapted quickly to e-communication and have thus jumped at the opportunity to host MAMA eMeets, a virtual e-meeting series MAMA launched at the start of COVID-19 to help keep our members connected and “up to speed.” The latest in the #MAMAeMeet series was a presentation led by Hyundai on its all-new 2020 Venue subcompact crossover SUV.
Hyundai Senior Manager of Product Strategy and Planning Michael Evanoff kicked off the virtual presentation. The Venue slots just below the Kona terms of size and powertrain, and offers plenty of standard safety and connectivity features. The Venue marks the seventh addition to Hyundai’s SUV lineup.
Evanoff talked a bit about the vehicle’s positioning to the market, adding that its primary target buyers are aspirational, single females. He said the Venue is perfect for those with a “side hustle,” as it’s nimble to get around in but has a surprising amount of storage space—such as a modular underfloor cargo area—for a subcompact SUV. Secondarily, Hyundai is targeting empty-nesters who are looking to downsize from their current vehicle.
Related to the exterior design, Evanoff described the Venue as iconic, modern, and stylish. It’s solid and portrays a sporty image, with a simple yet distinctive rear design. Extroverted two-tone color options for roof, mirrors and trim are optional. Also available are LED taillights with a unique light signature, for buyers seeking some additional customization.
Inside, Evanoff described the Venue as “stylish” with an “emotional robustness.” Interior features include a leather steering wheel and shift knob, 8-inch floating display, drive mode select with a snow mode option, and automatic climate control. The Venue was named a top pick in Wards 10 Best Interiors list, which Evanoff noted was a great accomplishment as other winners included luxury brands such as BMW and Lincoln.
In terms of safety, the Venue offers some great standard features, including forward collision-avoidance assistance with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist, and driver attention warning. Blind-spot alert with rear cross-traffic alert is available.
The Venue comes with a new Smartstream powertrain: a 1.6-liter, 4-cylinder engine that puts out 121 horsepower and 113 lb.-ft. of torque. The Venue gets great fuel economy too; its EPA rating is 32 mpg in combined city/highway driving.
C.J. Eckman, Hyundai Manager of IoT and Connected Car, further expanded on the Venue’s in-vehicle connectivity. He highlighted the vehicle’s standard 8-inch display audio with a color LCD touchscreen, rearview camera, and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay integration. Hyundai’s Blue Link connected car system—featuring remote start and auto climate control—is included on all Hyundai models for three years. Alexa and Google Assistant integration are also available.
In terms of packaging, Hyundai offers the Venue in three trim levels: SE (includes standard safety features), SEL (most popular trim with premium features), and Denim (top-line model with exclusive exterior and interior trim).
Venue pricing starts at $17,350 for the SE and ranges to $22,050 for the Denim. The Venue is currently available at dealerships nationwide.
