The 2025 Honda HR-V and the 2025 Hyundai Venue are small SUVs emphasizing value, practicality, and fuel economy. Despite their highly affordable prices, each of these SUVs comes standard with a lengthy roster of tech and advanced safety features.
Relatively fresh from a complete 2023 redesign, the 2025 HR-V rides on the same platform found in the Civic. This translates to added refinement, especially its suspension. There’s also a bit more oomph in the engine compartment. Every HR-V comes with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that sends 158 horsepower to the front (or all four) wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
Having first arrived for the 2020 model year, the Venue is Hyundai’s smallest and least expensive SUV. In fact, we’ve anointed it the lowest cost-to-own subcompact SUV multiple times since its introduction. It gets down the road courtesy of a 1.6-liter engine with 121 hp and a CVT. Unlike the HR-V, the Venue is strictly front-wheel drive (FWD). To its credit, the Venue holds an advantage in fuel efficiency.
Let’s explore some of the highlights of the 2024 Honda HR-V and the 2024 Hyundai Venue.
2025 Honda HR-V
The Honda HR-V is offered in three trims: LX, Sport, and EX-L. Starting at $26,750, including the factory-to-dealer delivery charge, the LX is equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, automatic climate control, remote start, keyless entry, and the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver aids. Since it was rebooted entirely two years ago, the HR-V does not have any notable changes for 2025.
Honda HR-V Highlights
Safety: Honda Sensing is a standard safety suite that features forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and more. Also worth noting: The HR-V has earned Top Safety Pick+, the highest safety rating given out by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Interior quality: The HR-V doesn’t spoil you with luxury trimmings, but we’ve found the quality and ambiance of its cabin to be a cut above many of its direct rivals, including the Venue. The outward view is also commendable, making it easier to thread the HR-V through traffic or position it in tight parking spots.
Driving refinement: Similar to its well-thought-out interior, the driving refinement afforded by the HR-V is especially good, given its price point. The suspension easily absorbs road imperfections, and the light steering means this little Honda HR-V is happy to zip around sharp bends.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the HR-V models for sale
2025 Hyundai Venue
The Venue is not only Hyundai’s smallest SUV, it’s one of the smallest subcompact SUVs available, period. Stretching 159 inches in total length, the Venue is roughly 20 inches shorter than the Honda HR-V. Despite this, the boxy Venue doesn’t feel cramped inside. Pricing starts at $21,395 with the delivery charge. Trim levels consist of the base SE, SEL, and Limited. At $24,645, even the range-topping Limited grade sneaks in below the HR-V’s base price.
Hyundai Venue Highlights
Wireless smartphone connectivity: Tired of depending on a cable to connect your smartphone? Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on the Venue SE and SEL trims. Strangely, the Venue Limited requires a wired connection, but it’s the only one of the three trims to come with wireless device charging.
Low Ownership Cost: We’ve already mentioned that we’ve recognized the Venue multiple times for its low cost of ownership but we think it’s worth mentioning again. The Venue is a serious value.
Excellent warranty coverage: The Venue comes with a warranty that far exceeds that of the HR-V. Coverage includes a 5-year/60,000 basic warranty and a superb 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. This could seal the deal for many shoppers.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Venue models for sale
Similarities
These two small SUVs are relaxing to drive, easy on your fuel budget, and have adult-friendly levels of headroom and legroom. Neither will overwhelm you with raging acceleration, though we don’t expect tire-smoking speed to be a high priority for anyone considering an affordable subcompact SUV.
Pricing
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Honda HR-V vehicles and New 2025 Hyundai Venue vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2025 Honda HR-V | 2025 Hyundai Venue | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 1.6-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 158 hp @ 6,500 rpm | 121 hp @ 6,300 rpm |
| Torque | 138 lb-ft @ 4,200 rpm | 113 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm |
| Transmission | CVT | CVT |
| Fuel economy MPG | 26 city/32 highway/28 combined | 29 city/32 highway/31 combined |
| Also Available | AWD | |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 10 years/100,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 stars | 4 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 104.5 inches | 99.2 inches |
| Overall Length | 179.8 inches | 159.1 inches |
| Width | 72.4 inches | 69.7 inches |
| Height | 63.4 inches | 61.6 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 35.1 feet | 33.4 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 39.4 inches | 39.4 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 38.0 inches | 38.6 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.9 inches | 41.3 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 37.7 inches | 34.3 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 56.6 inches | 53.9 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 55.2 inches | 53.7 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 24.4 cubic feet | 18.7 cubic feet |
Conclusion
There is not much more that needs saying for a price range that hovers between $21,000 and $25,000. Anyone looking for a new vehicle for as little money as possible would be wise to consider the Hyundai Venue.
Across every trim level, the Hyundai rings in at several thousand dollars below the HR-V (and many other rivals, for that matter), and it has a much better warranty. But keep in mind that the Venue doesn’t have the same amount of rear legroom or cargo space found in the Honda.
The Honda HR-V feels significantly more grown up than the Venue. From behind the wheel, its smooth ride, good steering feel, and excellent overall balance help justify its higher price. The Honda also has a great track record for safety, plus available all-wheel drive (AWD) and excellent resale value.
With all of this taken into consideration, plus a higher KBB Expert Rating (4.8 vs. 4.2) and a better National Highway Traffic Safety Administration overall rating, the HR-V gets the nod.
