2021 Hyundai Venue — Carivo review Representative photo — may show another model year
SUV

2021 Hyundai Venue

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $18,686–$25,151
Fuel Economy 29 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category SUV
Est. Annual Fuel $1,810/yr

Key Specifications — 2021 Hyundai Venue

Engine1.6L 4-Cylinder
TransmissionAutomatic (AV-S1)
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Fuel TypeRegular
City / Hwy MPG30 / 33 MPG
Combined MPG31 MPG
Est. Annual Fuel Cost$2,000
CO₂ Emissions287 g/mi
Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StyleSUV
Base Price$18,686–$25,151

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2021 Hyundai Venue

With an overall Carivo score of 7.3/10, the 2021 Hyundai Venue earns a Good rating among the suvs we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Value at 8.3/10, while Performance at 5.5/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability comes in at 7.8/10 in our assessment — above the middle of the pack for this class, though not flawless. On safety it earns 7.9/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.

Performance at 5.5/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology comes in at 7.0/10 — functional and modern, with wireless connectivity and core ADAS features, though some competitors pack more standard tech at this price point.

Priced from $18,686–$25,151, 29 MPG, seating 5, the Hyundai Venue sits in the budget-friendly tier of the suv market. The 8.3/10 value score is the headline: relative to what it costs, this suv delivers more than most of the class. At 5 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.

Bottom line: There's a case for the 2021 Hyundai Venue, but it needs the right buyer. Its performance scores trail the class, and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.

Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →

How It Ranks Among SUVs

The 2021 Hyundai Venue ranks #1384 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 44% of the segment. Its 7.3/10 overall score is 0.1 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $18,686 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 48%.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $25k →

Which Venue Year Should You Buy?

Across the Venue model years we've scored, the 2021 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2026 7.6/10$21,151 Read review →
2025 7.6/10$21,151 Read review →
2024 7.5/10$20,535 Read review →
2023 7.5/10$19,918 Read review →
2022 7.5/10$19,302 Read review →
2021 (this review) 7.3/10$18,686
2020 7.4/10$18,070 Read review →

Pros & Cons — 2021 Hyundai Venue

✓ What it does well

  • Above-average reliability record with solid owner satisfaction data
  • Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
  • Good overall value; holds its own against pricier alternatives in the segment
  • Accessible entry price makes it one of the more affordable options in the category
  • Versatile body style handles daily commuting and weekend adventures equally well

✗ Where it falls short

  • Performance is a genuine liability — well below class rivals and worth factoring into any decision
  • Tech suite is functional but lags behind segment-best options; some features cost extra

NHTSA Recalls — 2021 Hyundai Venue (2 on record)

The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Seat belts / Front
13/10/2021 · 21V796000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021 Elantra, Elantra HEV, Venue, Genesis GV80 and 2022 Genesis GV70 vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioner(s) may explode upon deployment.
Seat belts / Front
27/06/2022 · 22V458000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Venue vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment.

Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.

Common Questions — 2021 Hyundai Venue

Is the 2021 Hyundai Venue reliable?

We rate the 2021 Hyundai Venue's reliability 7.8/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).

How many recalls does the 2021 Hyundai Venue have?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Is the 2021 Hyundai Venue worth buying?

It scores 7.3/10 overall, ranking #1384 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 44% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.

How much does the 2021 Hyundai Venue cost?

The 2021 Hyundai Venue starts at $18,686 and ranges up to $25,151 across trims (MSRP when new). At 29 MPG, expect roughly $1,810/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.

Owner Essentials — Hyundai Venue

Practical extras owners actually buy. These are Amazon search links — as an Amazon Associate, Carivo earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

All-weather floor mats → Dash cam → OBD2 scanner → Phone mount →

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More Hyundai Reviews

Explore the full lineup of Hyundai models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.