[petes67bird]

Hi Everyone,

I need to buy a reliable long term vehicle for my elderly mom. She drives about 8-10k miles a year and I am hoping to find something smaller, reliable and that will last a long time as this would be her retirement vehicle. Would you recommend the Venue or should I opt for something a little more premium to make sure it has longevity. She drove the venue, likes the venue, I am just worried because everyone that reviews this car uses words like economical, entry level, great for a first car etc. I am looking for long term use, reliability, and quality. We were comparing the Kia Soul, Hyundai Venue, Mazda CX30 and Subaru Crosstrek. Thanks

 

[Essential_22_MT6]

I can say the Venue comes with a lot of value for it's price. It comes with the Hyundai Warranty. (You can check all that in this Link for US Customers: 2022 Hyundai VENUE | Specs
So for the first 5 years of ownership at least, you have most items covered, including road side assistance; and in the US at least last year some Hyundai Dealers had a 2/3 year free maintenance promotion that I don't know if they still do.
The Venue SEL in USA (Mid Level Trim) comes with the technology and safety items that most people would need I think.

I've had mine for only 2 months and got it as a 'weekend trip' car (Base Model with Manual Transmission available in the Canadian Market only). And so far I like it a lot, it looks quality is very good and since I'll put less than 10000 Miles per year I plan to keep it for a long time.

I can also say Subaru is a very Nice option, I've had a 2009 Impreza for 10 years and it was great to have AWD but the maintenance when it was reaching the 240,000 miles mark was getting expensive; but it was 99% reliable.

If you tried the Subaru Crosstrek then I'd also test drive the Toyota Cross. Explore the 2022 Corolla Cross | Toyota.com

In Short the Hyundai Venue would be your most affordable option for FWD. (There is no AWD Venue Model) ; for the other cars you are considering you will pay more.

 

[petes67bird]

I can say the Venue comes with a lot of value for it's price. It comes with the Hyundai Warranty. (You can check all that in this Link for US Customers: 2022 Hyundai VENUE | Specs
So for the first 5 years of ownership at least, you have most items covered, including road side assistance; and in the US at least last year some Hyundai Dealers had a 2/3 year free maintenance promotion that I don't know if they still do.
The Venue SEL in USA (Mid Level Trim) comes with the technology and safety items that most people would need I think.

I've had mine for only 2 months and got it as a 'weekend trip' car (Base Model with Manual Transmission available in the Canadian Market only). And so far I like it a lot, it looks quality is very good and since I'll put less than 10000 Miles per year I plan to keep it for a long time.

I can also say Subaru is a very Nice option, I've had a 2009 Impreza for 10 years and it was great to have AWD but the maintenance when it was reaching the 240,000 miles mark was getting expensive; but it was 99% reliable.

If you tried the Subaru Crosstrek then I'd also test drive the Toyota Cross. Explore the 2022 Corolla Cross | Toyota.com

In Short the Hyundai Venue would be your most affordable option for FWD. (There is no AWD Venue Model) ; for the other cars you are considering you will pay more.

Thank you for the detailed response. We are going to buy the limited model in a couple of hours, found the denim version. Unfortunately, one dealer wanted 3k markup from msrp, but we found one willing to sell at msrp. So we are basically at 26900 out the door. The warranty is great and it does come with 3/36 service included. Hoping it is reliable, fingers crossed.

 

[imaddicted2u]

We Canadians don't get the 3/36 service and our warranty ends after 5 years or 100,000 kilometers. Mine has been 100% reliable so far. After almost a year in and 6200 km. The fuel economy is awesome too.

 

[petes67bird]

Dealer now says arriving Monday... I found a 2021 kona limited for 26700 but I got to the dealer and they were tacking on 5500 on top of that price. I guess that's why they still have one.

 

[imaddicted2u]

Hyundai Will Punish Dealers Over Excessive Markups

Hyundai Will Punish Dealers Over Excessive Markups

Sadly, excessive market adjustments are commonplace. But that doesn't mean dealers partaking in the dishonorable activity should go unpunished. Ford CEO Jim Farley has previously cautioned greedy dealerships that their product allocation will be directly impacted in the future, with hopes of...

carbuzz.com

and

Even Hyundai Thinks It’s Ridiculous to Markup Hyundais This Much

The automaker is reportedly threatening to cut car allocations and other dealer incentives.

www.thedrive.com

 

[Slowhand]

One of the things your mother will really enjoy is the ease of getting in and out of the Venue. I'm getting a little older now (58) and my Elantra was literally becoming a pain, just too low for these bones. With the Venue, stepping in and out of the car is a breeze, easy on the knees.

We have the Canadian Ultimate edition in denim and the car may be relatively inexpensive, but it feels premium. Loving it.

 

[Littlebluenumber]

Thank you for the detailed response. We are going to buy the limited model in a couple of hours, found the denim version. Unfortunately, one dealer wanted 3k markup from msrp, but we found one willing to sell at msrp. So we are basically at 26900 out the door. The warranty is great and it does come with 3/36 service included. Hoping it is reliable, fingers crossed.

As an old guy (I remember WW II) I think your mom will be very happy with the he choice. Oldsters need to have visibility since our eyes don't move as quickly. Put the drivers seat up and she will have a clear view of the end of the hood which is very good for judging distance.
I really like my 22 SEL though the ride can be bumpy over pot holes. Some of the safety features are distracting: the lane guide can absorb your attention if you leave it on, and those suggestions to stop for coffee are patronizing.
The real fun is passing by gas stations. Driven sensibly a, lot of us are getting 40+ mpg.

 

[ndanaluk]

The Kona is a little nicer unit than the Venue. A Tucson is even nicer, but the Kona is priced lower and gets better mpg. I just bought an Elantra last week and it's really nice, but too low to the ground for her.

 

[imaddicted2u]

Before you buy something else. Check the other Hyundai model forums here to see if there are issues being reported.

Hyundai Forums

Hyundai Forum is a community for all Hyundai Owners to talk and learn all about their favorite subject: Hyundai cars from the Sonata to the Elantra and even the new Kona!

www.hyundai-forums.com

 

[petes67bird]

Thank you everyone. We have a gray black limited venue on order. Eta is 04-08

 

[BarbInOttawa]

One of the things your mother will really enjoy is the ease of getting in and out of the Venue. I'm getting a little older now (58) and my Elantra was literally becoming a pain, just too low for these bones. With the Venue, stepping in and out of the car is a breeze, easy on the knees.

We have the Canadian Ultimate edition in denim and the car may be relatively inexpensive, but it feels premium. Loving it.

I'm quite a bit older than you (83) and I bought my Venue last summer, partly because of the increasing difficulty of getting in & out of my Honda FIT. I'm a small person but it was becoming an uphill battle. I've had no problems driving my Venue this winter, just put it in Snow mode and drive on. I've always had FWD cars and never had an issue with winter driving, so didn't see the need and extra cost for AWD. I love all the new features that my older car didn't have, although there's a bit of a learning curve.

 

[Littlebluenumber]

I too by remember the end of WW II, and I certainly enjoy the ease of getting in and out of my Venue. Promising to learn that it's fine for snow. Another advantage I find is the great visibility, always an issue for well used eyes. Certainly has enough warning devices.

 

[petes67bird]

Just wanted to update. My mom took possession of the Venue and has been super impressed by the simplicity of the car and its comfort. This is her first new car going on 70 years old and she was intimidated by the tech in other vehicles. This was a perfect choice if someone else is in a similar situation.

 

[petes67bird]

 

[Chicago Jake]

Congrats! Nice looking model.

"Simplicity" is a good description. Although it has a lot of tech, it is not a demanding kind of tech that makes itself a burden on you. It's just there, and works when you need it, without annoying you when you don't need it.

I hope your Mom has many happy years driving it.

 

[imaddicted2u]

Awesome, glad she likes it. I laughed when the first reviews came out for the Venue calling it "an urban runabout for millennials". I think they missed the target when they assumed the Venue would only appeal to a younger crowd...lol.

FIRST DRIVE: 2020 Hyundai Venue an urban runabout for millennials | Autofile.ca

Buyers won’t want to spend a lot of money on their own vehicles, but they need practicality with some style and that includes the taller ride height.

autofile.ca

 

[BarbInOttawa]

Awesome, glad she likes it. I laughed when the first reviews came out for the Venue calling it "an urban runabout for millennials". I think they missed the target when they assumed the Venue would only appeal to a younger crowd...lol.

FIRST DRIVE: 2020 Hyundai Venue an urban runabout for millennials | Autofile.ca

Buyers won’t want to spend a lot of money on their own vehicles, but they need practicality with some style and that includes the taller ride height.

autofile.ca

I've noticed with Nissan's Kicks that ALL their marketing is directed to 20-somethings, the demographic that mostly lives downtown in hi-rises with public transit available. I never see any advertising WRT the Venue. Before I bought my Venue, I watched probably every YouTube review available and almost every reviewer was lamenting that it didn't jackrabbit from stoplights. As if that's the most important consideration when buying a car. I find it's a zippy, responsive little car and I use cruise control more than I did on my old FIT. I wish we in NA had a hybrid or electric version available given the current gas prices. It'd be an affordable runaway best seller..

 

[BarbInOttawa]

Just wanted to update. My mom took possession of the Venue and has been super impressed by the simplicity of the car and its comfort. This is her first new car going on 70 years old and she was intimidated by the tech in other vehicles. This was a perfect choice if someone else is in a similar situation.

I too by remember the end of WW II, and I certainly enjoy the ease of getting in and out of my Venue. Promising to learn that it's fine for snow. Another advantage I find is the great visibility, always an issue for well used eyes. Certainly has enough warning devices.

I find the all round visibility a big improvement over my FIT. I always used to have an issue backing out of my long driveway as it was almost impossible to check over my left shoulder due to the headrest & door pillar. No problem with the Venue which also has a better rear camera. For night driving, I really appreciate the auto headlight feature. No longer have to flick the hi-beams off & on.

 

[justin1138]

I've noticed with Nissan's Kicks that ALL their marketing is directed to 20-somethings, the demographic that mostly lives downtown in hi-rises with public transit available. I never see any advertising WRT the Venue. Before I bought my Venue, I watched probably every YouTube review available and almost every reviewer was lamenting that it didn't jackrabbit from stoplights. As if that's the most important consideration when buying a car. I find it's a zippy, responsive little car and I use cruise control more than I did on my old FIT. I wish we in NA had a hybrid or electric version available given the current gas prices. It'd be an affordable runaway best seller..

Yeah it's strange only marketing it to young people, but I guess every co. wants to capture them early and hopefully keep them as customers for decades.

I watched a lot of YT videos about it, and a lot of the reviewers were saying "great for young people". I am almost 50, lol.

I saw a silver SE the other day, and there was an older guy driving it. Looked to be like 60-70.