2021 Hyundai Venue Base — Carivo review carivo.co
SUV

2021 Hyundai Venue Base

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 Base

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 Base

With an overall Carivo score of 7.3/10, the 2021 Hyundai Venue Base 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 Base 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 Base, 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 Base 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 →

Which Venue Base Year Should You Buy?

Across the Venue Base 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)
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 Base

✓ 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

More Hyundai Reviews

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