“Easy to handle; sits high and can see all around you. Good on gas. Looks good.Easy to read controls.”
2021 Hyundai Venue: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The biggest change for the 2021 Hyundai Venue is the loss of the manual transmission, leaving an automatic continuously variable transmission, or CVT, as the only choice. It is otherwise a light update, with more standard equipment on the SE and SEL rather than a redesign.
About the 2021 Hyundai Venue
1st generation Venue (2020-2025), second model year.
Hyundai positions the Venue as a small SUV built for city life: easy to park, easy to live with, and more useful inside than its footprint suggests. The core appeal is simple everyday value—upright seating, flexible cargo space, standard touchscreen phone integration, and a strong set of driver-assistance features—rather than speed or off-road ability. Against rivals, the Venue leans toward practicality, simple controls, and a low-stress urban driving experience.
For 2021, the SE is the simple, value-focused Venue, with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and core crash-avoidance features. The SEL is the more rounded daily-driver trim, adding automatic climate control, Snow mode, extra safety alerts, and 17-inch alloy wheels. The Denim sits at the top with distinctive upholstery, navigation, heated front seats, LED lighting, and push-button start.
What changed, by category
Powertrain
The 6-speed manual transmission is discontinued. Every 2021 Venue uses a CVT automatic with the same 121-horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine.
Styling
The SE replaces its 15-inch steel wheels with 15-inch alloy wheels. The SEL gains standard 17-inch alloy wheels.
Safety
The SEL makes blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning standard.
Tech
The SEL’s touchscreen monitor moves from optional to standard. Other former Convenience Package items also become standard, including a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob and a sliding armrest.
2021 Hyundai Venue specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, 1.6 Liter | 4-Cyl, 1.6 Liter | 4-Cyl, 1.6 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, IVT w/Shiftronic | Automatic, IVT w/Shiftronic | Automatic, IVT w/Shiftronic |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 30 mpg | 30 mpg | 30 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 33 mpg | 33 mpg | 33 mpg |
| Horsepower | 121 hp | 121 hp | 121 hp |
| Torque | 113 lb-ft | 113 lb-ft | 113 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 31.9 cu-ft | 31.9 cu-ft | 31.9 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 34.3 in | 34.3 in | 34.3 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| 4-Wheel Disc Brakes | |||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||
| Rear View Camera | |||
| Alloy Wheels | |||
| Heated Mirrors | |||
| LED Headlights | |||
| LED Tail Lights | |||
| Power Moonroof | |||
| Roof Rails | |||
| Navigation System | |||
| Smartphone Interface | |||
| Touch Screen Monitor | |||
| Automatic Air Conditioning | |||
| Heated Front Seats | |||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | |||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | |||
| Push-Button Engine Start | |||
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2021 Hyundai Venue have a manual transmission?
No. Hyundai discontinued the 6-speed manual for 2021, so every U.S. Venue uses a CVT automatic transmission.
Is the 2021 Hyundai Venue a redesign?
No. The 2021 Venue is the second model year of the first generation, with small transmission and equipment updates rather than a full redesign.
What changed on the 2021 Hyundai Venue SE?
The 2021 Venue SE makes the CVT automatic standard after dropping the manual, and it replaces the prior steel wheels with 15-inch alloy wheels.
What changed on the 2021 Hyundai Venue SEL?
The 2021 Venue SEL gains standard 17-inch alloy wheels, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, a touchscreen monitor, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and a sliding armrest.
What is the main difference between the 2021 and 2020 Hyundai Venue?
The main difference is that the 2021 Venue no longer has a manual transmission. The 2021 SE and SEL also receive additional standard wheels, safety features, and cabin equipment.
2021 Hyundai Venue Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2021 Hyundai Venue.
4.2
2021 Hyundai Venue
(99 reviews)
“My only problem is with the panels below the exterior doors. Because of the curves they do not come clean in car washes.”
“Hyundai in my opinion has the best automobiles at the best affordable price the warranty is outstanding and the quality and workmanship of the vehicles is also outstanding”