Venue rounds out Hyundai's crossover lineup

Hyundai is packing its once car-heavy lineup with an increasing variety of utility vehicles, including the diminutive new Venue that promises to be the smallest and most affordable of its increasingly stylish offerings.

The Venue, smaller even than the subcompact Kona, will arrive in Hyundai dealerships in the fourth quarter following its presentation at the New York auto show on Wednesday. Hyundai says it's looking for consumers who want lots of safety features and tech in an even smaller package.

"The Hyundai SUV lineup can be compared with the pieces on a chess board," said SangYup Lee, executive vice president of design for Hyundai Motor Group. "Our new Palisade is the king, but we are missing the smaller piece. And that's where the Venue comes in," he said in a press release. Hyundai said the Venue is its seventh utility offering.

The Korean brand said the Venue will be the most affordable Hyundai utility vehicle, without immediately revealing prices. The Kona, longer by 12.7 centimetres (five inches) but otherwise similar in dimensions, starts at a sticker price of just over $22,904 in Canada, including shipping. Hyundai's sibling company, Kia, sells the popular Soul subcompact starting at $21,880 in Canada, including shipping.

Hyundai wants the Venue to stand out in a crowd, with two-tone color options for roof, mirrors and trim in addition to bold exterior lines and youthful colors including "denim," the company said. Inside, the mini-crossover gets an optional 8-inch color screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, plus available heated front seats and side mirrors.

The Venue is also a safety play by Hyundai, offering forward collision avoidance, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitor, driver attention warning, rear cross-traffic alert and drive modes that include one for snow to help maintain traction in the front-wheel-drive vehicle.

Power comes from a 1.6-litre engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission or an optional continuously variable automatic, Hyundai said. The brand estimates the Venue will use 7.1 litres per 100 kilometres (33 mpg) in combined city and highway driving, and is the ideal alternative to a subcompact car given its superior utility and style.