Key Factors
- Venue is Hyundai’s most reasonably priced, entry-level SUV with modest gross sales numbers.
- 2026 mannequin drops Restricted trim; SE and SEL stay, with options reshuffled for worth.
- SEL provides comfort options; each trims use a 1.6L engine and concentrate on finances patrons.
Nonetheless Hyundai’s Most Accessible SUV
The Hyundai Venue is the Korean marque’s entry level into its wealthy SUV lineup. It’s small, easy, and low cost to run, nevertheless it’s not precisely a powerful vendor. As of October, Hyundai managed to maneuver solely 23,728 items of the Venue within the US this 12 months – a quantity that trails even the electrical Ioniq 5. Nonetheless, the Venue fills an vital position within the vary: it’s essentially the most attainable Hyundai you should purchase.
For 2026, the system stays a lot the identical because it was when the mannequin was launched in 2020, with minor gear reshuffling moderately than a full overhaul. The mannequin sticks to its city crossover roots and retains its place because the budget-conscious SUV within the lineup.
Fewer Selections, Extra Focus
The largest information for the 2026 Venue is the elimination of the range-topping Restricted trim. That model beforehand supplied trendy niceties in any other case present in most automobiles, equivalent to LED lighting, plus it had heated mirrors and a contrasting roof possibility, beginning at over $23,000. With its departure, Hyundai has streamlined the Venue vary down to 2 trims – SE and SEL.
Whereas which may seem to be a cutback, Hyundai has softened the blow by shifting a number of options from the previous Restricted into the SEL. Heated mirrors, a wi-fi smartphone charger, and heated entrance seats now come customary on the mid-tier trim. Nonetheless, LED headlights are gone throughout the lineup, leaving each SE and SEL with projector halogen items. The reshuffle simplifies the mannequin vary and retains costs in verify, although the absence of premium lighting does underline its cost-conscious positioning.
SE vs SEL: Primary or Barely Higher
With the Restricted gone, the SEL now turns into the de facto prime trim. It beneficial properties a number of comfort options however doesn’t stray removed from the Venue’s minimalist mission. The SE stays the finances decide, retaining drum brakes on the rear and smaller 15-inch wheels. The SEL upgrades to 17-inch alloys and provides notable options equivalent to selectable drive modes, heated entrance seats, a wi-fi charger, a sunroof, twin automated local weather management, twin USB ports within the again, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and an non-obligatory contrasting roof. Each variations nonetheless depend on the identical 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine driving the entrance wheels by a CVT.
For patrons looking for easy, dependable transportation with a contact of contemporary comfort, the Venue delivers. Simply don’t anticipate it to really feel extra refined than its price ticket suggests.
Concerning the writer
Jacob Oliva has been an automotive journalist for greater than a decade. For Autocar Philippines, Jacob covers business information, worth evaluation, aftermarket modifications, and in-depth critiques of latest autos. His work has additionally appeared in retailers together with AutoDeal, Motor1, Philkotse, Philstar Wheels, and CarBuzz, and he has lined main motor exhibits throughout Asia. A recipient of a number of Henry Ford Awards, Jacob lives in Manila, the place he additionally manages and produces video content material.
