More Crossovers: Hyundai Venue to Debut at New York Auto Show

Seeking to quench the American public’s seemingly insatiable thirst for crossover vehicles and SUVs, Hyundai has announced it will introduce yet another machine of this type at next month’s New York Auto Show.

To be called the Venue, this will be a new entry-level CUV set to slot in underneath the Kona, a vehicle that is already exploring the limits of legroom and cargo space. It is popular, however, and with good reason – its funky shape, combined with a strong value proposition, is proving an easy sell to a lot of shoppers. Will the Venue follow that path? Or, like Fleetwood Mac, will it go its own way?

Sales of the Kona have quickly risen to about 5,000 units per month since it showed up on dealer lots roughly this time last year, save for a year-end spike that saw volume crest 8,000 units in December. For comparison, the Tucson bounced around the same volume for years until mid-2017, when it crested the 10,000/month mark and never looked back.

According to Hyundai, the Venue is targeted at “urban entrepreneurs” who like to be seen in a trendy place, hence the name of this new vehicle. We’ll leave it to the B&B to pass judgement on that bit of marketing speak. Driving the point home, Hyundai included pictures of a few people – who you know are prolific on Insta – partying on a rooftop along with an overhead image of Singapore’s Chinatown. Venues, indeed.

Have you heard? We just announced the name of our newest compact SUV! See the global debut of at the : https://t.co/lrP0TnzwIW pic.twitter.com/osqui0ZlkB

— Hyundai USA (@Hyundai) March 27, 2019

Close inspection of a teaser video reveals what could be a two-door body at about nine seconds into the film, but it’s tough to tell. Perhaps engineers Hyundai are putting a set of hiking boots on the Veloster, which wouldn’t be a wholly terrible idea. The door handle in the image has keyless entry gear, so this won’t be a bare-bones car.

As for size, we’re struggling to wrap our heads around what dimensions this machine may measure. Hyundai says it will be its “smallest CUV,” strongly indicating it will cast a smaller shadow than the Kona. That vehicle is 163.9 inches long, smaller than the 2020 Soul that check in at 165 inches in length. A 2019 Mini Cooper Hardtop is about 152 inches long, to give you a frame of reference.

Powertrains, actual release dates, overall styling – all of that is still up in the air. Extremely unofficial rumours suggest that the latter will be boxy and a bit aggro, not at all like the Kona, suggesting the Venue will make like Lindsey Buckingham after all. The 2020 Hyundai Venue will see the spotlight on April 17th at the New York Auto Show.

[Image: Hyundai]