Hyundai is well on its way to having its best year ever in 2025 with strong sales across all major segments. As it stands, last month was the Korean brand’s best-ever August sales, with record-breaking figures across six different models. If you guessed that the Hyundai Tucson is the brand’s best-selling model, you’d be correct, as its leading compact SUV is, by far, its best-selling model (147,670 units sold so far this year). Yet, what about the two smaller and more affordable Hyundai SUVs, the Kona and Venue, that few prospective buyers consider? Let’s get into the details of these overlooked Hyundai models.
- Divisions
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Genesis, Ioniq, Kia
- Founded
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1967
- Founder
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Chung Ju-yung
- Headquarters
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Seoul, South Korea
- Current CEO
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JaeHoon Chang
- Status
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Active
Hyundai’s SUV Lineup At A Glance
Let’s take a brief look at Hyundai’s entire SUV line-up, starting from the top down. For the sake of this article, we will not be discussing the fully-electric IONIQ models. Thus, starting at the absolute top, we have Hyundai’s largest SUV for sale, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade, a distinctly boxy three-row SUV that creeps into luxury tier prices. Then there is the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe, another even boxier three-row SUV with more of an “outdoorsy” twist to it.
Following that is Hyundai’s one-size-fits-all model, the 2026 Hyundai Tucson (and its strange truck crossover sibling, the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz). Then comes the 2026 Hyundai Kona, a subcompact SUV for people who want something small and affordable, but still want an SUV. Then, finally, there is the 2026 Hyundai Venue, the brand’s smallest SUV that offers an undeniably low price. It is clear that Hyundai has a diverse set of SUVs to match any price point, so why is the Hyundai Tucson the brand’s bestseller among all of them? Let’s focus on that for a second.
First, Why Does The Tucson Steal The Spotlight From The Other Small Hyundai SUV?
- Base Trim Engine
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2.5L Smartstream I4 ICE
- Base Trim Transmission
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8-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Front-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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187 HP @6100 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
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178 lb.-ft. @ 4000 RPM
- Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
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25/33/28 MPG
- Make
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Hyundai
- Model
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Tucson
- Segment
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Compact SUV
First off, the Hyundai Tucson, along with the Elantra, Sonata, Santa Fe, and Santa Cruz, is built at the Hyundai factory in Montgomery, Alabama. This was in response to the compact SUV’s popularity, which has steadily increased over the last five years. Hyundai took decisive action to capitalize on its most popular North American model by making it a homegrown product starting in 2021. Tariff this, tariff that, the brand-leading Tucson SUV is here to stay, and its dominance is for the long term. Yet, what exactly is it about the Hyundai Tucson that makes it so popular?
Well, simply put, the Hyundai Tucson is what you would consider the “perfect”-sized SUV, not too big, not too small. Even though there has never been a more diverse and competitive compact SUV market than right now in 2025, the Hyundai Tucson is one of the segment’s most compelling options. Hyundai went “all in” with the Tucson SUV, and you can see that in the wide range of Tucson variants available. Hyundai wants to ensure that, no matter what, there is the perfect Tucson model out there for you (and your budget). That is why the Hyundai Tucson is the only Hyundai model that offers a gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid variant, with 11 different trims to choose from.
At a $29,200 starting price, the 2026 Hyundai Tucson is, by no means, a “cheap” SUV. Yet, despite this, you feel like you are getting every penny’s worth. Why? The Hyundai Tucson offers a solid engine with good fuel economy, a modern, tech-forward interior, and more than enough room and comfort for any weekend adventure. While it may be the most “vanilla” option you could choose in Hyundai’s SUV line-up, the strength of its overall package is its clear strong suit.
The Overlooked Option: Hyundai Kona
- Base Trim Engine
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2L Nu PE I4 ICE
- Base Trim Transmission
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CVT
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Front-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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147 HP @6200 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
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132 lb.-ft. @ 4500 RPM
- Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
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29/34/31 MPG
- Make
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Hyundai
- Model
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Kona
- Segment
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Subcompact SUV
If the Hyundai Tucson is vanilla ice cream, the 2026 Hyundai Kona is more of a strawberry sorbet. Frozen dessert analogies aside, the Kona provides its own distinct advantages that make it an intriguing option among Hyundai’s diverse vehicle line-up. Unlike the more popular Tucson, the Kona is positioned as a much more sporty urban SUV, where its small size is its strong suit (even though it has significantly increased in size compared to the previous generation). This detail is emphasized by its optional 190-horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four (available in SEL Premium and Limited trims), which outperforms the singular 2.5-liter inline-four found across all Hyundai Tucson trims.
The Kona is part of Hyundai’s ever-expanding SUV line-up, and unlike previous Hyundai SUVs, it was outright designed as an electric vehicle first before being adapted to other powertrains. The Kona is Hyundai’s only SUV that offers an all-electric model, in addition to separate gas-powered variants. Yet, would you buy a Kona Electric when compared to a similarly priced Tesla Model 3? Well, long story short, the 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric is nowhere near within punching range of a Tesla product.
Although a 2026 Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD is slightly more expensive, it outshines the Kona in every relevant performance category by significant margins (notably, the acceleration, charging speed, and range). Hyundai, like many other automakers, is still playing catch-up in the EV space. Until the product is more competitive, the electric-focused Kona SUV will continue to lurk in the shadow of the Tucson. This also may explain why the Kona has sold only a third of the inventory compared to the leading Tucson (53,200 units vs. 147,670 units), and compared to 2024, the small SUV’s sales are down 10 percent.
The Deep Cut: Hyundai Venue
- Base Trim Engine
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1.6L Smartstream I4 ICE
- Base Trim Transmission
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2-speed Smartstream IVT CVT
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Front-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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121 HP @6300 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
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113 lb.-ft. @ 4500 RPM
- Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
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29/32/31 MPG
- Make
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Hyundai
- Model
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Venue
- Segment
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Subcompact SUV
The adorably small 2026 Hyundai Venue is all about one thing: its price. Yet, what if we said that this diminutive SUV’s price is a bit misleading? Let’s explain. When advertised on Hyundai’s homepage, the 2026 Hyundai Venue has a starting price of $20,500. Yet, once you go to option one yourself, that price magically shoots up to $22,825, a significant increase that has no explicit explanation unless you have unlimited time to research (like we do).
The reasoning behind this increase is that the base model’s “SE” trim is no longer available, even though Hyundai is still advertising it as if it were. In reality, there are only two trim levels now available for the Hyundai Venue, the SEL and the SEL with a two-tone roof (with the Limited trim being dropped as well). The starting price of the SEL is $22,825, which is the true base MSRP of a 2026 Hyundai Venue SEL (the current base model).
What exactly are you getting with this “forced upgrade” to what is supposed to be an economy vehicle? Well, the charges are significant. Here is a short list of the major upgrades:
- Drive mode selector
- Rear disc brakes
- 17-inch wheels (base SE came with 15-inch wheels)
- Roof side rails
- Heated front seats & side view mirrors
- Wireless charging pad
- Proximity key with push to start
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
- Automatic temperature control
- Driver’s side auto-up window
- Under-floor cargo storage
- Rear seat dual USB charging
Considering the items added to this list, the SEL trim is almost like an entirely new vehicle, despite no changes to major components like the powertrain. Hyundai noticed last year that the Venue wasn’t selling quite as well as they hoped, prompting these changes to their most affordable SUV. Up until now, their bet has paid off because the Venue is up 15 percent in sales this year compared to last year (20,892 vs. 18,241). Yet, which of these two overlooked Hyundai SUVs is the right choice for you? Let’s provide a quick rundown.
Is The Kona Or Venue The Right Small Hyundai SUV For You?
While the Hyundai Tucson remains the “safe and sane” pick among the small Hyundai SUVs, its one-size-fits-all approach isn’t suited for every consumer. If you value the agility and driving feel of your SUV, the Hyundai Kona, especially when equipped with the turbo engine, is much more enjoyable to drive than the larger Tucson. The Kona Electric has its appeal, but compared to the leaders in EV tech, its capabilities are a step behind.
The Hyundai Venue, while its price has increased since last year, is more equipped than ever before (and feels much more well-rounded as a result). While still much simpler than the giant-screen-filled interior you’d find in the Hyundai Tucson, details like the leather steering wheel, auto temp control, and wireless charging are all pleasant additions. Hyundai had to make the Venue more “luxurious” because nobody was buying the most affordable six-speed manual-equipped SE variant, leading to its discontinuation in 2021. One thing we will say is that parallel parking a Hyundai Venue is easy as pie, and it easily fits into parking spaces most SUVs wouldn’t even consider attempting.
Each of these small Hyundai SUVs has its own appeal, but a determining factor in whether you drive away in a new Hyundai SUV is the brand’s unmatched warranty package. This factor alone may be enough to tip the scales for many shoppers, as you have some additional peace of mind about your purchase. A lot of automakers like to boast and exaggerate about certain promotional details, but Hyundai aptly offers “America’s Best Warranty”. Happy hunting!