One benefit of the Kona is that it has more cargo space. It has 19 cubic feet and 45 cubic feet with rear seats down compared to Venue's 19 cubic feet and 32 cubic feet with rear seats down. So if OP will be hauling a lot of passengers, cargo space will be the same, but if he needs total cargo area, the Kona has about 40 percent more.
But the Venue, being a hatch, can haul a lot of space. I have gotten a lot in mine. Should be sufficient for most people.
Yep, scrutinize the CarFax -- make sure it hasn't been in their garage for a lot of repairs -- like tranny, electrical, etc. It could've been a Lemon Law buyback. I have seen used cars (and CPO) cars on lots with CarFax showing they were Lemon Law buybacks, but the car's listing for full KBB retail used value.
And the sad fact is someone's mom or grandma will probably never even click on that small CarFax button on the dealer's website, and if they did and noticed the Lemon Law note they will probably just ask the salesman who will sugar coat it and say it was nothing. It's fully repaired now, and you get a CPO warranty.
Also, be careful of the bait and switch. You might get back to the finance person's desk and they will say "um, sorry we ran the numbers and we are going to need an extra $2k out of you to make this deal happen."