Auto review: The 2020 Hyundai Venue is an affordable new crossover

Space costs money.

That’s true when buying a house or an airline ticket. And it’s true when buying an automobile. All else being equal, a large car costs more than a smaller one. It all comes down to space.

It’s instructive to compare Hyundai’s least expensive SUV, the all-new subcompact 2020 Hyundai Venue, to the company’s least expensive sedan, the 2020 Hyundai Accent. Both come equipped with the same powertrain: a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with a six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive. A continuously variable automatic transmission is optional; all-wheel drive isn’t offered.

Given the choice between the two vehicles, most buyers would opt for the new Venue over the Accent, and why not? Despite being more than a foot shorter than its sedan cousin, the Venue offers more headroom, legroom, and an additional 5.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up, and an additional 18.5 cubic feet with them folded. Of course, the Venue will cost you an additional $100 a year to fuel, according to the EPA, which amounts to less than $2 a week.

Given the Venue’s additional interior space, it’s no surprise that the extra square footage comes at a cost. The Accent starts at $15,295; the Venue, $17,350, a premium of $2,055, or approximately $39 a month on a 60-month car loan according to Bankrate.com.

In addition to the Venue’s value is its style, particularly the Denim Edition, the top model in a range that includes the base SE and up-level SEL. Similar to the American Motors Levi Editions of the 1970s, the Denim Edition’s interior evokes the feeling of denim with leatherette and cloth blue seats, and an exterior finished in blue and capped by a white roof. It’s Middle America funky.

But it’s more than flashy trim that makes the Venue worth considering.

Base models get a host of standard equipment, such as tilt/telescoping steering wheel; power windows, lock and mirrors, height adjustable front seats, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, Bluetooth hands-free phone with voice recognition, a USB port, four-speaker audio system, a spare tire, and remote keyless entry. There’s also an impressive list of standard safety technology, including forward collision-avoidance assist, lane keeping assist, driver attention warning, electronic stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes and a rearview monitor.

Spend some time behind the wheel and you’ll find the controls are simple and sensible. Large rotary knobs control the climate, while a large screen controls the infotainment through an easy to understand user interface. While the Venue lacks the sublime artistry found in recent Hyundai models, there’s little doubt that you’re getting a lot for your money.

But there is a tradeoff.

The Venue’s DNA means that it shares its 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with the Accent, and generates nearly identical horsepower and similar acceleration. Off-the-line performance is meager, so merging onto a highway needs a little planning. Once up to speed, the Venue feels sprightly, and the CVT is fairly responsive. Body lean is well controlled, and the Venue’s short length and responsive steering makes it easy to pop through traffic once at speed and surprisingly fun on winding roads.

If you don’t mind the economy car running gear, you’ll find the 2020 Hyundai Venue offers sophisticated styling, generous cabin space, and loads of equipment at prices mere mortals can afford.

Maybe they should have called it the Hyundai Value instead.