2021 Kia Seltos vs. Hyundai Venue
Overview
Drivers today are drawn to vehicles that are easy to handle (like sedans) and offer practical storage solutions (like sport-utility vehicles). Blend the two and you get a crossover: a vehicle that crosses over from car to SUV. Every automaker provides at least one crossover in its lineup, but they’re not all created equal. Take, for example, the all-new 2021 Kia Seltos, which offers plenty of space in a small and decently powerful package and is also packed with amenities. Going toe-to-toe against it is the 2020 Hyundai Venue – its main competitor. If you’re in the market for an efficient subcompact crossover but find yourself stuck on that final decision, keep on reading: we compare and contrast these vehicles in detail below to help you decide.
Power and Efficiency
The 2021 Kia Seltos’ standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine produces 146 hp and 132 lb.-ft. of torque, whereas the Venue’s 1.6-liter four-cylinder only makes 121 hp and 113 lb.-ft. of torque. The Venue doesn’t offer an engine upgrade, but the Seltos has an available turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with an output of 175 hp and 195 lb.-ft. What’s more, the Seltos is equipped with start/stop, meaning that it automatically shuts down when the vehicle would otherwise be idling, which saves fuel and reduces emissions. When the driver gets ready to move again, the engine will automatically reboot. The Venue’s engine, though, doesn’t have auto start/stop. The 2021 Kia Seltos also has a larger fuel tank than the Venue (13.2 gal vs. 11.9 gal), meaning you can drive for a while longer between fill-ups.
Driver Convenience and Cargo
Unlike the Venue, the 2021 Kia Seltos receives a standard automatic transmission, which is especially helpful when you find yourself in stop-and-go traffic. The Venue comes standard with a manual transmission, meaning that those who can’t or don’t wish to drive a stickshift will need to pay more for the automatic. In addition, the 2021 Kia Seltos SX Turbo trim has a standard auto-dimming rearview mirror, which darkens immediately when headlights shine on it from behind. The Venue doesn’t offer an auto-dimming rearview mirror. To keep drivers at a safe and consistent following distance, the SX Turbo also benefits from the convenience of adaptive cruise control; the Venue does not have this option on any of its trims. A wireless phone charger is standard with the 2021 Kia Seltos’ EX and SX Turbo trims as well, but it’s not available at all on the Venue.
The 2021 Kia Seltos has a much larger cargo area than the Venue, both with the rear seat up and with it down. When the seats are up, you’ll get 26.6 cu. ft., considerably more than the Venue’s 18.7 cu. ft. When the seats are down, the space increases to 62.8 cu. ft. and 31.9 cu. ft., respectively. The 2021 Kia Seltos also has 1.6 in. more front shoulder room and 3.7 in. more rear legroom than the Venue. Not only that, the 2021 Kia Seltos’ rear seats can recline, where the Venue’s cannot.
