Hyundai Venue vs Kona: Which Small Hyundai SUV Should You Buy?
Published October 23, 2026 · Last updated October 23, 2026
The Venue is Hyundai's smallest and least expensive SUV; the Kona is the bigger, more powerful step up, with all-wheel drive available on every trim. The 2026 Venue SE starts at $20,550, $4,950 less than the 2027 Kona SE at $25,500, and it is a foot shorter, which matters on a tight Brooklyn block. The Kona answers with 3.9 inches more rear legroom, twice the maximum cargo space, a 190-hp turbo option and a 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+. Both return 31 mpg combined with front-wheel drive, and both are on the lot at Plaza Hyundai. Here is how they compare for drivers in Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island and across New York City.
Venue or Kona: The Short Answer
- Choose the Hyundai Venue if price and parking come first: it starts $4,950 lower, is 12.2 inches shorter, and still gets 31 mpg combined, wireless Apple CarPlay and automatic emergency braking.
- Choose the Hyundai Kona if you carry passengers or cargo, or need AWD: 38.2 inches of rear legroom against 34.3, 63.7 cubic feet of maximum cargo against 31.9, a 12.3-inch touchscreen and AWD on every trim.
- Our take: for most New York drivers, the Kona SEL Sport is worth the extra money; the Venue is the smart buy for a solo commuter on a tight budget.
Model-year timing: This comparison uses the 2026 Venue and the 2027 Kona, the model years Plaza Hyundai is selling now. Hyundai has published specifications for a carryover 2027 Venue with the same engine and dimensions but has not yet announced its pricing; see our 2027 Venue guide and 2027 Kona guide. Prices are manufacturer MSRPs before the $1,650 destination charge, the same on both. Browse every new Venue, every new Kona, or all new Hyundais at Plaza Hyundai.
Venue vs Kona at a Glance
| Spec | 2026 Hyundai Venue | 2027 Hyundai Kona | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $20,550 | $25,500 (FWD); $27,000 (AWD) | Venue |
| Engines | 1.6L four, 121 hp, 113 lb-ft | 2.0L four, 147 hp; 1.6L turbo, 190 hp, 195 lb-ft | Kona |
| Transmission | IVT (CVT) | IVT (2.0L); 8-speed automatic (turbo) | Kona |
| All-wheel drive | Not available | Available on every trim, $1,500 | Kona |
| EPA mpg (combined) | 31 | 2.0L 31 FWD / 27 AWD; turbo 28 FWD / 26 AWD | Tie (FWD) |
| 0–60 mph (Edmunds tests) | 9.6 s | 7.8 s (1.6L turbo) | Kona |
| Length / wheelbase | 159.1 in / 99.2 in | 171.3 in / 104.7 in | Venue (parking) |
| Rear legroom | 34.3 in | 38.2 in | Kona |
| Cargo (seats up / folded) | 18.7 / 31.9 cu ft | 25.5 / 63.7 cu ft | Kona |
| Touchscreen | 8 in | 12.3 in | Kona |
| IIHS 2026 | No award | Top Safety Pick+ | Kona |
| Edmunds expert rating | 6.7/10 | 7.9/10 (2026) | Kona |
| Warranty (basic / powertrain) | 5 yr/60,000 mi / 10 yr/100,000 mi | 5 yr/60,000 mi / 10 yr/100,000 mi | Tie |
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Size and Dimensions
Is the Kona bigger than the Venue? Yes, in every direction that counts. The Kona is 171.3 inches long on a 104.7-inch wheelbase and 71.9 inches wide; the Venue is 159.1 inches long on a 99.2-inch wheelbase and 69.7 inches wide. That makes the Venue 12.2 inches shorter, about the difference between fitting into a gap on Ocean Avenue and circling the block again. The Kona AWD also rides higher, with 8.1 inches of ground clearance against 6.7 for the Venue and the front-drive Kona.
| Dimension | 2026 Hyundai Venue | 2027 Hyundai Kona |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 159.1 in | 171.3 in |
| Width | 69.7 in | 71.9 in |
| Height | 61.6 in | 62.2–63.6 in |
| Wheelbase | 99.2 in | 104.7 in |
| Ground clearance | 6.7 in | 6.7–6.9 in FWD; 8.1–8.3 in AWD |
Interior and Cargo Space
Up front, the two feel similar: 41.3 inches of legroom in the Venue and 41.7 in the Kona. The back seat is where they split. The Kona offers 38.2 inches of rear legroom against 34.3, and 101.2 cubic feet of passenger volume against 91.9, so adults ride comfortably behind adults. The Venue's rear seat suits children or short trips; its upright roof does give it slightly more rear headroom, 38.6 inches against 38.3.
Cargo space favors the Kona even more: 25.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat against 18.7, and 63.7 with the seats folded against 31.9, twice as much. The Venue still swallows a week of groceries or two carry-ons; the Kona takes a folded stroller, a bike with the front wheel off or an IKEA run.
Engines and AWD
The Venue uses a 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 121 hp and 113 lb-ft through an Intelligent Variable Transmission (Hyundai's CVT), and it is front-wheel drive only. Edmunds measured 0 to 60 mph in 9.6 seconds, fine around town but slow for merging onto the Belt Parkway. Does the Venue have AWD? No; if you want all-wheel drive in a small Hyundai, it has to be the Kona.
The Kona SE and SEL Sport use a 2.0-liter four with 147 hp and an IVT. The SEL Premium and Limited step up to a 1.6-liter turbo with 190 hp and 195 lb-ft through an eight-speed automatic, good for 0 to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds in Edmunds testing. HTRAC all-wheel drive adds $1,500 on any Kona trim and brings more ground clearance for snowy side streets.
Fuel Economy
With front-wheel drive, they tie: the Venue is rated 29/33/31 mpg city/highway/combined and the Kona 2.0 FWD 28/35/31. The Kona 2.0 AWD drops to 27 combined, the turbo to 28 with FWD and 26 with AWD.
| Version | Gallons a year | Cost a year |
|---|---|---|
| Venue (31 mpg) | 387 | $1,705 |
| Kona 2.0 FWD (31 mpg) | 387 | $1,705 |
| Kona 2.0 AWD (27 mpg) | 444 | $1,957 |
| Kona 1.6 turbo AWD (26 mpg) | 462 | $2,033 |
A front-drive Kona costs no more to fuel than a Venue; adding AWD costs about $250 a year.
Tech and Safety
Every Kona has a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; the Venue has an 8-inch touchscreen, also with wireless phone mirroring. The Kona Limited adds a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, Bose audio, a sunroof, ventilated front seats and Surround View Monitor. The Venue SEL adds a sunroof, heated front seats and automatic climate control for $22,825, a lot of equipment for the money.
Both come with forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist and driver attention warning. The Kona adds blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist and Safe Exit Warning on every trim; the Venue gets blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning only on the SEL. The Kona earned a 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+; the Venue has no current IIHS award. Ownership coverage is identical: a 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage (Hyundai warranty).
Trims and Price Compared
Is the Venue cheaper than the Kona? Yes, by $4,950 at the base level: $20,550 for the Venue SE against $25,500 for the Kona SE. The top Venue SEL, at $22,825, still costs $2,675 less than the base Kona. The fairer comparison is equipment: for about $4,000 more than a Venue SEL, the Kona SEL Sport ($26,825) brings the bigger body, the 12.3-inch screen, wireless charging and Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go.
2026 Hyundai Venue trims
| Trim | MSRP | Key features |
|---|---|---|
| SE | $20,550 | 15-in alloys, 8-in touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, forward collision-avoidance assist |
| SEL w/ 2-Tone Roof | $22,600 | 17-in alloys, contrasting roof, wireless charger, H-Tex and cloth seats, blind-spot warning |
| SEL | $22,825 | 17-in alloys, power sunroof, heated front seats, automatic climate control, blind-spot warning |
2027 Hyundai Kona trims
| Trim | FWD MSRP | AWD MSRP | Key features |
|---|---|---|---|
| SE | $25,500 | $27,000 | 2.0L, 17-in alloys, 12.3-in touchscreen, blind-spot warning |
| SEL Sport | $26,825 | $28,325 | Adds 18-in alloys, wireless charging, Smart Cruise Control |
| SEL Premium | $28,425 | $29,925 | 190-hp turbo, 19-in alloys, heated steering wheel |
| Limited | $32,535 | $34,035 | Adds sunroof, Bose, ventilated seats, 12.3-in digital cluster, Surround View |
Compare every grade in Hyundai Kona and Venue Trims Compared. Plaza Hyundai layers its own offers on top of Hyundai's, so check the current Hyundai specials in Brooklyn, get pre-approved for financing and get your trade-in value before you visit.
Which Should You Buy?
Buy the Hyundai Venue if you drive mostly alone or with one passenger, park on the street and want the lowest payment: it is 12.2 inches shorter, starts at $20,550 and matches the front-drive Kona's 31 mpg. Buy the Hyundai Kona if you carry adults in back, haul gear, want AWD for winter or drive the highways often: it has the roomier rear seat, twice the maximum cargo space, a 190-hp turbo option and a Top Safety Pick+. For most New York drivers, the Kona SEL Sport is our pick.
Best all-rounder
Bigger cabin, 12.3-in screen and 31 mpg, from $26,825; AWD $28,325.
Best for tight parking
Sunroof, heated seats and 31 mpg in a 159-inch package for $22,825.
Lowest price
Wireless CarPlay and automatic emergency braking for $20,550.
190-hp turbo
0–60 in 7.8 s and available AWD, from $28,425.
Final Scorecard
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Venue | $20,550 vs $25,500 |
| City size and parking | Venue | 12.2 in shorter, 2.2 in narrower |
| Rear seat | Kona | 38.2 vs 34.3 in of legroom |
| Cargo | Kona | 25.5 / 63.7 vs 18.7 / 31.9 cu ft |
| Power and AWD | Kona | Up to 190 vs 121 hp; AWD on every trim |
| Fuel economy | Tie | 31 mpg combined for both with FWD |
| Tech | Kona | 12.3 vs 8-in touchscreen |
| Safety | Kona | 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+; more standard driver aids |
| Warranty | Tie | 5-yr/60,000-mi basic and 10-yr/100,000-mi powertrain on both |
| Overall for NYC | Kona | Room, safety and AWD; Venue for the tightest budget and parking |
Still deciding? Step up in size in Hyundai Venue vs Tucson and Hyundai Kona vs Tucson, see every Hyundai SUV side by side in Hyundai SUV Lineup Compared, or compare grades in Hyundai Kona and Venue Trims Compared. Cross-shopping other brands? Read Hyundai Venue vs Competitors: Kicks, Trax, Corolla Cross and More.
Hyundai Venue vs Kona: Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Kona bigger than the Venue?
Yes. The Kona is 12.2 inches longer (171.3 against 159.1 inches), 2.2 inches wider and rides on a wheelbase 5.5 inches longer. Inside, it has 3.9 inches more rear legroom and 63.7 cubic feet of maximum cargo space against 31.9.
Does the Venue have AWD?
No. The Venue is front-wheel drive only. The Kona offers HTRAC all-wheel drive on every trim for $1,500, starting at $27,000 for the Kona SE AWD.
Is the Venue cheaper than the Kona?
Yes. The 2026 Venue SE starts at $20,550, $4,950 less than the 2027 Kona SE at $25,500, and the top Venue SEL ($22,825) still costs $2,675 less than the base Kona. Prices exclude the $1,650 destination charge.
Which gets better gas mileage, the Venue or the Kona?
With front-wheel drive, they are even at 31 mpg combined: the Venue is rated 29/33 mpg city/highway and the Kona 2.0 28/35. The Kona AWD is rated 27 mpg with the 2.0-liter and 26 with the turbo.
Is there a 2027 Hyundai Venue?
Hyundai has published specifications for a 2027 Venue that carries over the 1.6-liter engine, IVT and dimensions, with SE, SEL and SEL w/ 2-Tone Roof trims, but has not yet announced pricing. Plaza Hyundai is selling the 2026 Venue now.
Free home delivery within 25 miles. Plaza Hyundai delivers your new or pre-owned Hyundai to your door — free within a 25-mile radius, which covers all five boroughs, much of Nassau County and parts of northern New Jersey. Our service department also offers pickup and drop-off across New York City.
Ask Our Team About DeliveryTest-Drive the Hyundai Venue and Kona at Plaza Hyundai
Visit Plaza Hyundai (2726 Nostrand Ave) to drive the Venue and the Kona back to back, sit in both back seats and load your own stroller or luggage. Part of the family-owned Plaza Auto Mall, serving New York since 1975, with free delivery within 25 miles. No Hassle, No Pressure, No Middlemen. Call Plaza Hyundai sales at (800) 556-2369, or browse the inventory below.
*MSRP excludes destination ($1,650 for both the Hyundai Venue and the Hyundai Kona), taxes, title and registration fees. Specifications and pricing are based on Hyundai Motor America information for the 2026 Hyundai Venue and 2027 Hyundai Kona available as of October 23, 2026, with Kona height from iSeeCars. Acceleration figures and expert ratings are from Edmunds. Safety ratings from IIHS; fuel prices from AAA. EPA ratings are estimates; actual mileage will vary. See dealer for details.
Hyundai Venue and Kona Inventory at Plaza Hyundai
Below is every new Venue and Kona at Plaza Hyundai, with Plaza pricing, trim, drivetrain and color on each listing. Use it to run the same comparison as this article: a Venue SEL against a Kona SE or SEL Sport for a few thousand dollars more, or a front-drive Kona against an AWD one for winter. Plaza stocks far fewer Venues than Konas, so if you see the Venue trim you want, reserve it. Found one? Tap Confirm availability or Schedule a test drive on the listing, or call (800) 556-2369, and we will have it ready next to its Venue or Kona counterpart. Free delivery within 25 miles.
