2020 Hyundai Venue Prototype First Drive: Affordable Spunk in a Small Package
No, you’re not reading this wrong. This really is a first drive of the 2020 Hyundai Venue, a car that literally just debuted at the 2019 New York Auto Show. The newest and smallest CUV in Hyundai’s lineup, the Venue is slightly smaller than the Kona that went on sale last year and it will serve as the entry-level crossover in Hyundai’s lineup. While the prototype we drove on Hyundai’s Namyang, Korea test facility was camouflaged, we were able to preview an uncovered version of the crossover at the design center. And of course, there’s the undisguised example sitting on the floor of New York City’s sprawling Javits Center, if you need an even closer look.
A Venue Without The Camo:
The Venue brings a bit of the Kona’s sporty flair to its body lines, with a two-tone paint job and boxier styling than its slightly larger sibling. Once inside, the cabin is refreshingly straightforward. While the newer Hyundai models we’ve driven opt for a digital cluster, the Venue has a traditional tachometer and speedometer that almost give it a sporty character. An 8.0-inch display handles the infotainment duties, while three dials – a large center one serves as a display, and there are two for the climate controls – keep the cabin minimalist and clean.
Although newer Hyundais like the Palisade flagship crossover SUV feature a push-button gear selector, the Venue opts for a traditional shifter. And while it may just be a co...
