31 MPG combined is the fuel economy Hyundai targeted for the 2021 Venue. This isn’t a vehicle promising best-in-class numbers. Instead, it’s designed to be an affordable, practical, and stylish city car. The Venue’s efficiency is a deliberate part of its appeal, directly addressing what’s important to its core customers: first-time car buyers, young professionals, and city dwellers who value affordability and ease of use over performance or flashy features.

City and highway performance

The EPA numbers show a tuned balance: 30 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway. This focus on city efficiency reflects where the Venue does best. The 1.6L four-cylinder engine, paired with Hyundai’s “AV-S1” automatic transmission (a CVT), focuses on smooth, consistent power, not fast acceleration. This setup works well in stop-and-go traffic, where the transmission keeps the engine working efficiently. Even on the highway, the Venue gets good fuel economy, enough for commutes or weekend trips, but it’s not a long-distance touring vehicle.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2021 Hyundai Venue at $1,400. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year, using a national average fuel price when calculated. This is a key selling point for the Venue, because it shows the vehicle’s affordability beyond the purchase price. Fuel costs will vary based on driving and local gas prices, and the EPA estimate gives buyers a benchmark for comparing the Venue to other vehicles in its class. Lower running costs are a key attraction of the Venue, and this number highlights potential savings compared to larger, less efficient vehicles.

Real-world expectations

The EPA provides a standard, but real-world fuel economy depends on the driver. Hard acceleration, hard braking, and skipping maintenance can hurt the Venue’s MPG. Drivers who use smooth driving and follow service schedules should get numbers close to, or even better than, the EPA estimates. The Venue is small and light, so changes in driving affect fuel use.

How it compares

The Venue’s fuel economy is competitive in its class. The Nissan Kicks, another subcompact SUV, gets an EPA-estimated 31 MPG combined. The Kia Soul has more personality and cargo space, and it gets 29 MPG combined with its base engine and automatic transmission. The Mitsubishi Mirage G4, a smaller sedan, gets a slightly better 37 MPG combined, but it has less space and isn’t as practical compared to the Venue. These comparisons show that the Venue offers SUV versatility and features without sacrificing fuel efficiency. Buyers want the overall package of value, practicality, and city-friendly size more than best MPG.

For VENUE MPG across all years, check out our dedicated page.

See all Hyundai fuel economy data to compare against their other vehicles.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Avoid rapid acceleration and hard braking. The Venue’s small engine is most efficient when driven smoothly and predictably. Watch traffic and maintain speed to use less fuel. Sudden acceleration or hard braking wastes fuel.

Keep tires inflated. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, which makes the engine work harder and reduces fuel economy. Check your tire pressure and inflate them to the recommended level, which is on a sticker inside the driver’s side doorjamb.

Minimize idling. If you’re stopped for more than a minute or two, turn off the engine. Modern engines restart quickly and efficiently, and idling uses fuel without going anywhere. This matters in cities, where idling happens often.

Use cruise control on flat highways, where it can maintain speed and improve fuel efficiency. Avoid cruise control on hills, because the system may downshift to maintain speed, which can lower fuel economy. Let the car manage its own throttle when the road gets hilly.

Reduce weight in your Vehicle. Extra weight makes the engine work harder, which reduces fuel economy. Remove unnecessary items from the trunk and back seat to improve your Venue’s efficiency.

The 2021 Venue 1.6L offers an affordable and economical way to drive in the city, and minor adjustments to your driving will improve the experience.