If you’ve been thinking affordable new cars are a thing of the past in the U.S., here’s some good news: the 2026 Hyundai Venue is now officially the cheapest new car you can buy in America. With the Nissan Versa and Mitsubishi Mirage now gone from the market, the Venue steps up as the go-to choice for anyone wanting a brand-new vehicle with a warranty, without breaking the bank.

But you might wonder: Is a small, entry-level subcompact crossover like the Venue really a better choice than a budget sedan like the Mirage or Versa? That’s not a simple answer, but the Venue offers some compelling reasons why it deserves a look.

A Look Back: The Venue’s Journey

The Hyundai Venue made its debut nearly seven years ago at the 2019 North American International Auto Show. It shares its platform with the now-discontinued Hyundai Accent, and its design is simple enough to blend into a parking lot unnoticed. Sold in countries ranging from India to Australia, China, and Ukraine, the Venue is a global car, but what you get in North America is a practical little crossover designed for everyday use.

Here in the U.S., the Venue sits below Hyundai’s larger SUVs, such as the Kona, Tucson, Santa Fe, and Palisade. Despite being only 159 inches long and 69.7 inches wide, it’s relatively tall for its size, which helps create a roomy interior without making it feel oversized.

Exterior and Interior: Small but Practical

The Venue is compact, but its styling has aged gracefully over the years. Unlike some cheap cars that look “wimpy” or awkward, the Venue’s lines give it a clean, approachable look. Only the base trim comes with halogen headlights, but the overall appearance doesn’t feel low-budget.

Inside, the Venue is surprisingly comfortable for a subcompact. Front passengers get 41 inches of legroom, while the rear seats offer 34 inches. The rear hatch opens to 19 cubic feet of cargo space, which expands to 32 cubic feet with the 60/40 split-folding rear seats. Materials are basic but functional, with cloth seats for entry-level models and leatherette for higher trims.

The dashboard is straightforward, featuring an eight-inch center screen, a six-speaker stereo, and simple climate and radio controls that are easy to operate even with gloves on. While adaptive cruise control isn’t available, safety features like forward collision mitigation and lane-keep assist are standard, along with iOS and Android connectivity.

Safety and Performance

The Venue might not dominate crash-test headlines, but it’s generally safer than older subcompact sedans like the Mirage and Versa. It comes with a four-star NHTSA rating, which is enough for most buyers looking for a dependable daily driver.

Under the hood, the 2026 Venue is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder Smartstream engine from Hyundai and Kia. It produces 121 horsepower and 113 lb-ft of torque, paired with Hyundai’s Intelligent Variable Transmission (a CVT system). While it’s not built for speed—0-60 mph takes around nine seconds, it offers respectable fuel economy: 29 MPG city, 32 MPG highway, and 31 MPG combined.

The Venue is front-wheel drive only, but it includes special drive modes for snow, mud, and sand, helping drivers navigate tricky conditions without adding extra cost.

Pricing and Trims

Affordability is where the Venue shines. The base SE trim starts at $20,550, comes in seven colors, and includes 15-inch alloy wheels along with all the standard safety features. For those who want a bit more luxury, the SEL trim costs $22,825 and adds heated front seats, gray leatherette upholstery, 17-inch wheels, wireless phone charging, second-row USB ports, and a power tilt-and-slide sunroof.

There’s also an SEL two-tone variant available for $22,600, offering a unique look for just a small price increase. And, of course, buying new means getting Hyundai’s generous warranties: five years or 60,000 miles bumper-to-bumper, and ten years or 100,000 miles for the powertrain. See more Photos

Looking Ahead: The Next-Generation Venue

While the 2026 model is practical and affordable, Hyundai is already preparing the second-generation Venue for North America, expected around mid-to-late 2027. The new model, which has been unveiled in India, brings more powerful engine options, a digital gauge cluster, a larger infotainment screen, and a six-speed dual-clutch transmission instead of the current CVT. While some features may be specific to international markets, it’s clear that the next Venue will be sleeker, more modern, and slightly more expensive.

Final Thoughts

The 2026 Hyundai Venue proves that buying a new car doesn’t have to mean paying too much or sacrificing safety and practicality. It’s small but spacious enough, affordable but reliable, and comes with a warranty that gives peace of mind. For cash-strapped buyers wanting a dependable daily driver, it’s hard to beat.

So if you’ve been waiting for the last generation of this budget-friendly crossover, now is the time to visit a Hyundai dealer, before prices go up with the next-generation model.

The era of cheap new cars isn’t over; it just comes with smarter choices, and for 2026, the Hyundai Venue leads the pack.

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