Hyundai has some of the most inexpensive subcompact SUVs available at dealerships. The Kona and the Venue are two of those models. When it comes to buying one of these two, it appears that the Kona version is more appealing to consumers than the Venue. How well are each selling, and why would the former model be so much more popular?

How well are the Hyundai Kona and Venue selling?

With the 2023 Hyundai Kona, year-to-date (YTD) sales are pretty high. The number is 44,048 units for this year, which is approximately 19% more than in 2022, which was 37,040. If you look at July’s figures alone, you’ll see that the Kona had 6,123 sales, which is almost 2,000 more than the previous year. 

Looking at the Hyundai Venue, the sales figures are a different story. With 18,940 purchases this year, the Venue sold 30% more than in 2022, which was only 1,895 sales. For July sales this year, it sold 2,581 units, according to Hyundai Motor Company. 

Are the Hyundai Kona and Venue so different?

Because both the Kona and Venue are from Hyundai, the two models are similar in many ways. Both offer cloth upholstery for the lower trims and a sunroof for some of the higher versions of each of the models.

Both also have front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive being offered on some of the other trims. The cargo room is pretty close as well for both versions. With the Kona, it offers 19.2 cubic feet of storage, which is only 0.5 cubic feet more than what you get with the Venue model. 

Even headroom and legroom are close. The 2023 Hyundai Kona offers 39.6 inches of headroom in the front seats, while the Venue has 39.4 inches. Rear legroom, which is important for some people, is 35.2 inches in the Kona, while the Venue has 34.3 inches. 

Why is the Hyundai Kona be more popular?

With so many similarities between the two, why is the Hyundai Kona so much more popular than the Venue? Well, there are a few differences between the two models that just might make the Kona a more appealing vehicle. 

First, the Kona is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine standard. It produces 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque. But, the Venue only has a 1.6-liter four-cylinder, which generates a mere 121 hp and 113 lb-ft, which is weaker than what Kona offers. 

When it comes to fuel economy, the Kona gets 30 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. The Venue gets a little less, with 29 mpg on city roads and 33 mpg when traveling on the highway. Also, the Kona model offers Adaptive Cruise Control and Parking Assistance on some of its trim levels. The Venue doesn’t offer either of these features at all. 

Another reason why the Kona is more popular is because it offers more customization with about five trim levels to choose from, whereas the Venue only has three trims available. Exterior styling is an area that can also be included because the Kona looks better, while the Venue offers a boxy hatchback style, which isn’t as pleasing to look at. 

When looking at the sales figures, the Kona is basically blowing the 2023 Hyundai Venue out of the water. The brand’s Kona model offers plenty of features for a decent price. Pretty much the only thing the Venue has going for it is the price. While the Kona starts at $22,140, the Venue begins at $19,650.