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Buying a cheap SUV no longer means relegating oneself to a spartan, uncomfortable box. In fact, the cheapest SUV of 2023 has plenty of creature comforts and features to enjoy – even in its most affordable base trim. 

What’s the cheapest SUV of 2023?

The 2023 Hyundai Venue sits in front a wall painted with urban art. The Venue is the cheapest SUV of 2023.
2023 Hyundai Venue | Hyundai

According to U.S. News and World Report, the cheapest SUV of 2023 is the Hyundai Venue. The subcompact SUV tops the list with a starting price under $20,000. Here are the five cheapest SUVs of the year:

  1. Hyundai Kona – $19,650
  2. Kia Soul – $19,890
  3. Nissan Kicks – $20,440 
  4. Chevy Trailblazer – $22,100 
  5. Hyundai Kona – $22,140

What’s standard in the cheapest Hyundai Venue SUV trim?

Hyundai has crammed as much practicality and features as possible into its most affordable SUV. From its spacious cargo area to its long list of standard technologies, the Hyundai Venue punches above its price point as the cheapest SUV of 2023.  

Performance: The venue gets a standard four-cylinder engine with 121 horsepower that runs through continuously variable transmission (CVT). While it isn’t the most exciting combination, it does yield a decent 33 mpg highway. 

Interior Features: One of the Venue’s greatest assets is its interior packaging. It’s a small SUV, but Hyundai has designed it with a spacious cabin featuring plenty of head and leg room. As you’d expect, however, the cheapest trim does come with cheaper materials like hard plastics and cloth seats. 

Cargo Capacity: The Venue’s boxy shape is quite conducive to carrying cargo, with 32 cubic feet of space available when the rear sets are folded. 

Technology and Safety: A robust collection of technology features come standard in the Venue – even in the base model. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Lane Keeping Assist, High Beam Assist, Driver Attention Warning, and more are all standard equipment. 

Is the Hyundai Venue bigger than the Kona?

No – the Hyundai Kona is slightly larger than the Hyundai Venue. 

The Kona is a bit bigger in almost every direction than the Venue. It’s wheelbase is three inches longer, its overall length is seven inches longer, and it’s a bit over an inch wider. However, the Venue has a .2-inch height advantage. The two are neck-and-neck on cargo capacity. 

Is the cheapest SUV of 2023 worth it?

The Hyundai Venue is a value-packed crossover that’s ideal for running errands in urban settings, but it isn’t the best option for long-distance highway cruising. 

Value is certainly the greatest strength of the new 2023 Venue. As one of the only new vehicles still starting at less than $20,000, it’s truly affordable. And Hyundai has packed as much practical space and features as possible into that $20,000 package as possible. 

It isn’t the prettiest, quickest, or most refined subcompact SUV – but you’d be hard pressed to find a more practical new vehicle for less money. 

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Staff Writer, Producer - SUVs

Scott Prewitt

Scott Prewitt joined the MotorBiscuit team in 2023 as a Staff Writer for the SUV section. During college, he began his career in journalism as Editor in Chief of The Creightonian. After graduating from Creighton University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, News and Public Relations, Scott spent time in a local newsroom. He soon found his way to the world of automotive journalism and has been writing about cars since 2017.

A passion for all things automotive began at a young age. Playing Gran Turismo racing games in the early 2000s sparked an interest in cars and Scott began devouring Car and Driver stories when he was in the fourth grade. Since then, Scott’s enthusiasm for autos has grown to become the focal point of his career as a journalist.

By combining the skills that earned him the News Graduate of the Year 2016 and the Omaha Press Club Recognition & Academic Scholarship with a craving for knowledge of automotive industry, Scott covers a wide range of content from breaking news about the latest SUV models to designated off-road and overlanding rigs. His reporting is informed by personal experiences like road trips, intriguing automotive history, and time spent poring over various outlets and YouTube channels. Scott is drawn to car culture because, in his own words,  “these vehicles are a combination of purpose-built engineering and emotive, expressive design.”

The personal aspects of the autos world are of particular interest to Scott, and he is fascinated by the relationship between humans and cars. Years of writing for dealerships across the country and time in the corporate communications world lend to his expertise as a writer here at MotorBiscuit.