Everyone loves a good deal, especially when it comes to bigger purchases. If you’re looking for an SUV that is both affordable and high quality, the 2021 Hyundai Kona and Hyundai Venue might already be on your radar. These two SUVs offer very similar benefits but come in at slightly different price points.

While the Venue was named the car with the best value of 2021 by Cars.com, the Kona comes in at almost $2,000 more. So what exactly differentiates these two vehicles, and is it really worth opting for the pricier Kona?

Is the Hyundai Venue a good car?

Reviewers at Cars.com rave over the Hyundai Venue, which starts at $18,750. It features a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 121 hp. The Venue gets an estimated 30 miles per gallon in the city and 33 miles per gallon on the highway for a combined estimated fuel economy of 31 miles per gallon, making it fairly efficient for its class.

One of the biggest benefits of this vehicle, according to Cars.com, is the fact that it offers a significant number of standard features that typically cost extra on more expensive vehicles.

These features include driver attention warning, lane-keeping assist, electronic stability control, and forward collision avoidance assistance with pedestrian detection. The Venue also comes standard with an 8.0-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and keyless entry.

Even better, the Venue’s starting price is so low that if you want to add on some extra convenience and safety features, it will still come in at under $25,000. This vehicle also has an impressive warranty of 5 years/60,000 miles.

Cars.com notes that the Venue is available in some fun options. In particular, they highlight the available Denim version, which features denim-style upholstery as well as blue and white coloring on the interior and exterior of the vehicle.

How the Hyundai Kona compares to the Venue

Starting at $20,500, the Hyundai Kona is definitely pricier than the Venue. It features a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 147 hp. The Kona gets an estimated 27 miles per gallon in the city and 33 miles per gallon on the highway for a combined estimated fuel economy of 30 miles per gallon, making it slightly less fuel-efficient than the Venue.

While the Venue comes standard with an 8.0-inch touchscreen, the Kona’s is 7.0 inches. Both vehicles feature Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as well as remote keyless entry.

Standard safety features on the Kona include electronic stability control, lane-keeping assist, driver attention warning, and forward collision-avoidance assist.

Is the Kona really worth the extra cash?

The differences between the 2021 Hyundai Kona and Venue are fairly minimal, and the choice between them will ultimately come down to preference.

When comparing the two, Cars.com reports that the Kona has slightly better ratings from U.S. News: It has an overall score of 8.3/10, compared to the Venue’s overall score of 7.7/10. The Kona scores better than the Venue in every category except for reliability, where the two vehicles are tied.

That being said, the Kona doesn’t exactly overshadow the Venue. While it has slightly higher scores, the Venue still ranks well, particularly considering its price point. Both vehicles have similar features, the same great warranty, and pleasant rides.

Where these two SUVs truly differ is in their power. The Kona makes more horsepower, which creates a more energetic ride. In contrast, Cars.com notes that the Venue’s engine “feels lethargic at times.” 

With this in mind, the Kona might be worth the extra money for someone who needs a vehicle with a little more oomph, particularly given the fact that there is a turbocharged engine available.

However, if you don’t mind a slightly less powerful ride, you can save almost $2,000 by opting for the similarly well-reviewed Venue.