[Trekkie99]

Hi Hyundai Venue Forum. I'm the current owner of a 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage hatchback base ES. So just looking to upgrade my car to something better.

The Venue has A/C standard, and heated seats standard. Many goodies my current car does not have. I live in Canada so options and trim may vary from the USA. I want a 6 speed manual Venue to replace my current 5 speed Mirage.

I like the styling of the Venue very much. I drove a 2019 Hyundai Sante Fe as a rental for a week, and I was impressed with my Hyundai rental's fuel economy, especially considering the size of the Santa Fe.

Something is calling for me to get a Venue.

 

[Chicago Jake]

Welcome!

I have a USA model Venue SE, which has the six-speed manual (no heated seats, though). I'm liking it a lot. It replaced a 5-speed manual Scion xA, and I've noticed that the top gear ratio is a little taller than the Scion's was. That probably helps account for good highway mileage. The fifth gear is about the same ratio as my Scion's top gear, so I find myself cruising around town in fifth most of the time. City driving is a little tough in sixth. But on a highway, it is great.

 

[Trekkie99]

Thanks Chicago Jake for your information there.

I will take one for a test drive once they have some at my local dealers. The model is just so new to Canada and the USA.

I also need to weigh my options about buying another vehicle.

 

[venuefan]

Welcome!
What other models are you considering @Trekkie99?

 

[Trekkie99]

Hi venuefan
I'm also considering used Nissan Micra's with 5 speed manuals. My big concern with any new vehicle purchase, (and coming from a Mitsubishi Mirage) is gas mileage.

 

[SilverStreak3]

Welcome to the forum Trekkie!

The Venue with a manual transmission has an EPA range of 30 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway if that helps you out.

 

[Trekkie99]

That is very good mileage, thanks SilverStreak3, and thanks again to venue fan and Chicago Jake for their insights.

35 MPG is very good for this kind of vehicle. My old friend who lives far away nowadays, well he bought a Ford EcoSport last year. He says the fuel economy is way worse than advertised in the showroom. So I will steer clear.

 

[Chicago Jake]

Here's another insight for what it's worth: When I was growing up way back when, everyone knew that a manual transmission got better gas mileage than an automatic. But that was because the auto trans weren't very good then, and people WERE good at driving a stick. Nowadays that seems to have reversed: the autos are so good that they get better mileage than the average stick driver. So if you want a stick for the fun and the acceleration (or so your wife won't drive it, my reason!), go for it. But if you really want the best possible gas mileage, you are probably better off with a modern automatic transmission. IMHO

 

[Trekkie99]

Food for thought for sure Chicago Jake.
Even when I bought my 2014 Mirage, I knew my 5 speed manual was rated lower MPG than the CVT. But, I think manuals last longer. They give you more control on the road (especially in winter), and there is also the obvious joy of shifting gears.

Though I'm too young to remember manuals being the majority of cars, I have personally had 2 manual cars. So, I am partial to them. So, a small SUV with a manual would be a terrific setup.

What actual MPGs are you getting with you Venue? Are you getting 35 MPG as they advertise?

 

[Chicago Jake]

.......What actual MPGs are you getting with you Venue? Are you getting 35 MPG as they advertise?

I haven't done an actual MPG calculation myself, but the on-board computer does give you overall MPG and trip MPG, if you can trust that.

Most of my driving is short, stop-and-go trips in a dense neighborhood in the city, and the computer is telling me that I'm getting an average of 27 mpg. I'm happy with that, given the type of driving. On the one long highway trip I've taken since I got the car, the computer told me I was getting 38 mpg. If it's true, that's not bad at all.

 

[Trekkie99]

Right on, that's not bad at all actually. Best MPG's you'll find in this category.

My commute is rural. So no traffic for the most part, more tractors than cars. 38 highway for your Venue's mpg eh, I mean you really can't beat that.

One other question sorry Chicago Jake. Do you have an armrest between the front seats? I want more standard options. I think the Canadian Venue has heated seats standard.

Anyways sorry to go on and on about your new Venue. My Mirage drives about 1 inch from the ground, and the interior is just all hard plastics. My Mirage has no A/C, no centre arm rest. The list just goes on. I do love that my Mirage can get 40-50 MPG or more highway. I got 4.1 L/100 km's on Macinac bridge years ago now. That is the only thing.

 

[Chicago Jake]

No, I don't have an arm rest. I think some of the other trim levels have one. Somebody posted about buying an after-market one on Amazon and installing it in his Venue. Where the arm rest would go if I had one, I have two cup holders and another storage cubbie. The USA Hyundai website has a pretty good 360 interior photo. I imagine the Canadian one does as well.

 

[Trekkie99]

I looked into it just now, and the Venue, in manual Essential trim, has no armrest. You have to go 2 steps up to "Trend" to get an armrest.

 

[venuefan]

I think its insane that basic things like this arm rest are in by default regardless of trim. It should be.

 

[Chicago Jake]

I think its insane that basic things like this arm rest are in by default regardless of trim. It should be.

Well, think of it from the manufacturer's perspective. They offer a very basic trim level for those on a minimal budget, and that's good. But they also do their best to lure people with more cash to a higher trim level. I think it makes business sense, from their perspective. From my personal perspective, I just want a vehicle that gets me from point A to point B. Trivialities like arm rests or power windows or roof racks really don't mean much to me. Just start every time I turn the key and get me to work and back home at night, and I'm happy.

 

[Trekkie99]

I looked into it just now, and the Venue, in manual Essential trim, has no armrest. You have to go 2 steps up to "Trend" to get an armrest.

I'm surprised there is no armrest. I am like Chicago Jake in that I don't want a ton of bells and whistles either in my from A to B commuter car.

That said, coming from my current base-model Mitsubishi Mirage, I'm sick of no arm rest. I'm sick of having no air conditioning. I'm tired of the car being so puny and hard plasticy, and the ride being small-wheelbase bumpy and rough. I love my Mirage.. but. Even heated seats don't seem like a luxury item these days. I know some Kia's have heated seats standard in Canada. Maybe the Venue has this, I don't know.

 

[SmugMan]

Well, think of it from the manufacturer's perspective. They offer a very basic trim level for those on a minimal budget, and that's good. But they also do their best to lure people with more cash to a higher trim level. I think it makes business sense, from their perspective. From my personal perspective, I just want a vehicle that gets me from point A to point B. Trivialities like arm rests or power windows or roof racks really don't mean much to me. Just start every time I turn the key and get me to work and back home at night, and I'm happy.

Valid Point.

Too bad it takes one brand to do something different out of the blue that gets the others to follow lead.