Subcompact SUVs combine the versatility and style people love about SUVs with affordability. A couple of our favorite options in this class are the 2025 Hyundai Venue and the 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer.
This duo does share some characteristics, such as a boxy exterior. However, there are a few points of separation. Let’s take a closer look to see where the two small SUVs match up well and where one claims an advantage.
2025 Hyundai Venue
With a boxy exterior and unique paint choices drawing attention, the Hyundai Venue is a standout. A two-tone scheme with a bright white roof (Limited trim), helps the small SUV project a fun vibe while carrying up to five passengers.
Powered by a 121-horsepower 4-cylinder engine, the Venue provides a surprising amount of zip; however, all-wheel drive (AWD) isn’t on the menu. You’re not going to set any land speed records, but scooting through city traffic shouldn’t be any problem — plus parking will be a breeze. The SUV offers plenty of technology, including a proximity key and a second-row dual USB charging port. Pricing begins at $21,395, including destination fees.
Hyundai Venue Highlights
Excellent value: The Hyundai Venue is our reigning champ for the Lowest 5-Year Cost to Own Award for a subcompact SUV, based on factors like purchase price, depreciation, insurance, maintenance costs, and fuel costs. The Venue is an excellent value when purchased and in the years to come.
Top warranty: Speaking of years to come, Hyundai vehicles are covered by an industry-leading 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. This is a big advantage for the Hyundai Venue.
Safety systems The Venue comes standard with active safety systems such as automatic emergency braking, driver attention warning, lane-keeping assist, rear occupant alert, and automatic high beams. Additional available features include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and cyclist detection.
Read our Hyundai Venue Expert Review or see 2025 Hyundai Venue models for sale near you.
2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Chevrolet represents value and style, and the Trailblazer SUV epitomizes those qualities. This subcompact isn’t quite the smallest SUV in Chevy’s lineup nor the most affordable — that falls to the Trax — but it is value-packed. The Trailblazer comes in four trim levels: LS, LT, Activ, and RS, with prices starting at $24,395, including destination fee.
Standard equipment includes cruise control, push-button start, and an HD backup camera. On the inside, an 11-inch infotainment system and an 8-inch digital gauge cluster provide the driver with information and control of the vehicle.
You have two engine options for the Trailblazer: a 137-hp turbocharged 1.2-liter 3-cylinder or a 155-hp 1.3-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder. The base engine is acceptable for such a small vehicle, but if you want to feel a little punch, you’ll need to spend $1,600 to upgrade. However, when you do, you also get all-wheel drive. The interior offers plenty of space for grownups in the front and back seats.
Chevrolet Trailblazer Highlights
Chevy Safety Assist: Standard on the Trailblazer, it bundles driver assistance features like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, a following distance indicator, forward collision alert, and automatic high beams.
Adventurous look: The Trailblazer’s Activ trim gives it a rugged look, plus more adventurous tires and a special off-road suspension system for added capability, especially with all-wheel drive. The Hyundai Venue doesn’t offer this type of option.
All-wheel drive: This option is available with any Trailblazer version powered by the 155-hp engine. When you add all-wheel drive, you also get a 9-speed automatic transmission instead of the CVT. Notably, all-wheel drive is not available for the Hyundai Venue.
Read our Chevrolet Trailblazer Expert Review or see 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer models for sale near you.
Similarities
The Hyundai Venue and Chevy Trailblazer offer boxy exterior styling and bright colors to attract attention. They also provide room for five passengers and a good amount of comfort and safety technologies for the money.
Conclusion
The Hyundai Venue gives consumers an attractive option in the entry-level end of the market. It’s a very strong value proposition and has an unbeatable warranty, but some might find its interior and cargo space a bit too small for their needs. Meanwhile, the Chevy Trailblazer offers a little more of everything: power, capability, and technology, plus the option of all-wheel drive. Of course, it costs a few thousand more, too.
Used Prices
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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 Hyundai Venue vehicles and 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.
| 2025 Hyundai Venue | 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 1.6-liter 4-cylinder | 1.2-liter turbo 3-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 121 hp @ 6,300 rpm | 137 hp @ 5,000 rpm |
| Torque | 113 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm | 162 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm |
| Transmission | CVT | CVT |
| Fuel Economy | 29 city/32 highway/31 combined mpg | 30 city/31 highway/30 combined mpg |
| Also Available | 1.3-liter turbo 3-cylinder, AWD | |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 4 stars | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 99.2 inches | 103.9 inches |
| Overall Length | 159.1 inches | 173.5 inches |
| Width | 69.7 inches | 71.2 inches |
| Height | 61.6 inches | 65.2 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 33.2 feet | 36.8 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 39.4 inches | 40.0 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 38.6 inches | 38.4 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.3 inches | 40.9 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 34.3 inches | 39.4 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 53.9 inches | 55.4 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 53.7 inches | 53.8 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 18.7 cubic feet | 25.3 cubic feet |
