The SsangYong Tivoli is central to this aim, its built on an all-new platform to compete with cars such as the Nissan Juke, Ford EcoSport and the Vauxhall Mokka in the ever-popular (and still growing) small crossover market. While the Tivoli can’t match the striking styling of the Juke, this is arguably the best-looking SsangYong yet, and the company is claiming to have taken massive strides on the inside, too. The car will also come loaded with kit, including an optional seven-inch central screen on the dashboard.
Pros Spacious for its size Generous standard equipment Cheap
Cons Not as striking as the Juke Quality falls behind the best in class Bland to drive
The Ssangyong Tivoli competes in the small SUV market, alongside rivals such as the Nissan Juke and Kia Soul. These cars offer the look and feel of an off-roader, but with performance and running costs more akin to a family hatchback. Do bear in mind, however, they’re better suited to on-road driving than traversing muddy lanes. That’s certainly the case with the Tivoli, although unlike its aforementioned rivals, you can order it with four-wheel drive on higher trims. A 1.6-litre petrol or 1.6-litre diesel is available throughout the range, combined with a six-speed manual gearbox. A six-speed automatic is available for both engines on all but the entry-level SE.
You can put aside your reservations about the SsangYong badge, because the Tivoli is a thoroughly capable small crossover for the money. It’s not the most stylish inside or out, and it won’t win awards for ride comfort or refinement, but you get a lot of space and kit for little financial outlay. The latter two points are especially true of the Tivoli XLV, but it’s more expensive, and we'd go for the two-wheel-drive version to save some money. The standard Tivoli is decent to drive, while with the diesel engine and is by far the best on-road car SsangYong has built yet.
For 2021 Manual transmission discontinued.Other minor changes to standard and optional feature availability.
Pros Impressive number of features for your money For its size, easy to get in and out of Simple control layout
Cons Engine sounds and feels a little coarse at higher speeds All-wheel drive isn't offered One of the smaller extra-small SUVs in the class
After only one year, Hyundai discontinues the standard manual transmission. All models now have a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The Venue also drops the standard steel wheels, with the base model now riding on a set of alloy rims. The Convenience package, which was previously optional on the SEL, now becomes standard on that trim level. It includes blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and a sliding armrest.
PROS Excellent value, surprising passenger space, many standard driver assists.
CONS Apathetic highway acceleration, busy highway behavior, missing some desirable options.
The 2021 Hyundai Venue's #4 ranking is based on its score within the Subcompact SUVs category. It is a finalist for our 2021 Best Subcompact SUV for the Money award. Currently the Hyundai Venue has a score of 7.8 out of 10, which is based on our evaluation of 23 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Easy to maneuver in tight spaces Good gas mileage Easy-to-use infotainment technology
Cons Small cargo capacity Engine feels lethargic at times
