The 2021MY Hyundai Venue Drops Manual Gearbox Over Lack Of Demand

Update – CarScoops has been able to confirm the report, with Hyundai’s Midwest Manager for Product and Corporate Communications, Michele Tinson, telling us the following:

“The Venue now has one powertrain combination available; the 1.6L Smartstream DPI 4 cylinder engine mated to the Smartstream Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). This combination returns 31 mpg combined for all trims. The manual transmission has been discontinued due to low take rates/consumer demand for manuals.”

Hyundai has reportedly made a small yet important adjustment to the Venue lineup for the new model year, which is no longer available with the six-speed manual transmission.

Previously reserved for the base SE, with the SEL and Denim mid- and top-spec variants getting the CVT exclusively (optional in the SE), it was dropped as it wasn’t popular with customers.

The Korean firm has yet to update its official website, where the subcompact crossover still appears in the 2020MY guise, but a spokesperson has confirmed the decision to Car&Driver. We also reached out to Hyundai for an official statement and will keep you posted.

Driven: 2020 Hyundai Venue Active Proves Tiny SUVs Have Some Appeal

Pricing for the 2021 Venue SE is understood to start at $19,925, while the SEL and Denim will set you back at least $20,975 and $23,225 respectively, including destination. This makes the entry-level $1,480 more expensive than the outgoing version, whereas the SEL and Denim will be $630 and $80 pricier, respectively.

Unveiled at the 2019 New York Auto Show, the Venue slots under the Kona and sports a youthful design, a tablet-like infotainment system inside and a 3.5-inch display in the instrument cluster. Features such as smartphone integration, USB charging ports and reversing camera, as well as Lane Keeping Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear Collision Cross-Traffic Warning and Driver Attention Warning are on deck.

Power is provided by the 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that puts out 121 HP at 6,300 rpm and 113 lb-ft (153 Nm) of torque at 4,500 rpm, returning an EPA-rated 30/34/32 mpg (7.8/6.9/7.4 l/100 km) in city/highway/combined.