In 2025, the least expensive option at most new car dealerships will be a subcompact SUV. But inexpensive no longer means cheap. Today’s smallest SUVs come with in-car technology like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, high-tech safety features like automatic emergency braking, and even personality – something they sorely lacked just a few years ago.
The 2025 Mazda CX-30 and 2025 Hyundai Venue have very different personalities. But either could be the right new car for you.
Let’s see how they stack up.
2025 Mazda CX-30
Among mainstream automakers, Mazda is known as the sporty one. That’s never more true than at this price level. Where most rivals focus on value and cuteness, the Mazda CX-30 wants the driver to have fun. Mazda’s G-Vectoring system gives it handling like nothing else in its class, and it’s the rare subcompact SUV that comes with a choice of two engines. It also appears on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+ list. However, it is near the top of the subcompact segment in price, starting at $26,415, including the mandatory factory-to-dealer delivery charge.
Mazda CX-30 Highlights
Standard all-wheel drive (AWD): In this price range, virtually every manufacturer builds front-wheel-drive (FWD) subcompact SUVs. Some let you option all-wheel-drive, but it adds to the sticker price. The CX-30 is one of a tiny handful with standard all-wheel drive on all trims. If you live where heavy winters affect your driving, the enhanced grip of all-wheel drive could factor into your decision. Hyundai doesn’t offer it for the Venue.
Premium cabin Even Mazda’s smallest and least expensive SUV carries a premium persona. Mazda has a knack for making cabins that look and feel a cut above, and the CX-30 is further proof of that. Moreover, its seats are uber-supportive.
Two engine choices – strong and stronger: Most affordable subcompact SUVs get by with around 120 horsepower – plenty for your daily needs but nothing to get your pulse racing. The Venue’s 121 hp is par for the course. The CX-30 gets a much healthier 191-hp engine in most trim levels. A turbocharged engine that gets an even punchier 227 hp with regular gasoline (250 hp with premium) is available for higher trims.
Read our Mazda CX-30 Expert Review or see 2025 Mazda CX-30 models for sale near you.
2025 Hyundai Venue
In recent years, automakers have trimmed affordable cars from their lineups. If in 2025, you still love the virtues of a reliable, low-cost car, you’ll find few options on new car sales lots. But the 2025 Hyundai Venue has you covered. It offers plenty of modern tech features but carries one of the lowest price tags in the class and the longest warranty available in the segment. Starting at $21,395, with the destination fee, it’s one of the most wallet-friendly buys available this year.
Hyundai Venue Highlights
Fantastic value: The Venue isn’t just a little less expensive. It’s so much cheaper that you can buy the top-of-the-line version for less than you’d spend on the base model Mazda. The most well-equipped 2024 Venue, the Venue Limited, costs $24,645 delivered and includes heated, leatherette-upholstered front seats, wireless phone charging, and collision avoidance assist with pedestrian and bicyclist detection. The least expensive CX-30 costs nearly $2,000 more.
The best warranty available: No car for sale in 2025 beats Hyundai’s warranty offer. A 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty mean your new Venue may still protect you from major repair costs in 2035.
Lowest cost of ownership: We haven’t finished the calculations for the 2024/2025 edition of our 5-Year Cost to Own Awards yet. But the Venue took home the award in the subcompact SUV class in 2023. And in 2022. And in 2021. And in 2020. A low price, long warranty, and good fuel economy make the Venue easy on your wallet for years.
Read our Hyundai Venue Expert Review or see 2025 Hyundai Venue models for sale near you.
Similarities
Front- and second-row passengers get roughly similar space in these two. Otherwise, they have little in common.
Pricing
New 2025 Hyundai Venue Prices
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 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 Mazda CX-30 | 2025 Hyundai Venue | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | 1.6-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 191 hp @ 6,000 rpm | 121 hp @ 6,300 rpm |
| Torque | 186 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm | 113 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic | CVT |
| Fuel Economy | 26 city/33 hwy/29 combined mpg | 29 city/32 hwy/31 combined mpg |
| Also Available | Turbocharged 4-cylinder | N/A |
| 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 | 104.4 inches | 99.2 inches |
| Overall Length | 173.0 inches | 159.1 inches |
| Width | 70.7 inches | 69.7 inches |
| Height | 61.7 inches | 61.6 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 37.3 feet | 33.2 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 38.1 inches | 39.4 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 38.3 inches | 38.6 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.7 inches | 41.3 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 36.3 inches | 34.3 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 55.6 inches | 53.9 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 53.6 inches | 53.7 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 20.2/45.2 cubic feet | 18.7/31.9 cubic feet |
Conclusion
The Mazda CX-30 is pricey for its class. But the added cost gets you a car that defies expectations about inexpensive, subcompact SUVs. It’s fun to drive, comes with the peace of mind of all-wheel drive at no added cost, and even lets you spec a 250-horsepower engine. There’s nothing else like it in this segment.
Hyundai takes a completely different approach to the Venue. There’s nothing wrong with the way it drives. But it won’t give you race car vibes. Instead, it does its best work in your bank balance. A low price (even well-equipped), solid fuel economy, and the industry’s best warranty make it one of the best values on the road today.
Some drivers will find the Mazda’s undeniable fun factor worth the added cost. But if you don’t think of yourself as a driving enthusiast, the Venue’s practical nature might make it the right choice.