The popularity of SUVs today can often be tied to one thing: sitting up high in the command position. However, the price of large and even midsize SUVs often forces buyers who want that experience to move to a subcompact SUV.
These vehicles are becoming increasingly popular due to their affordability and capability. Among the best examples are the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek and 2025 Hyundai Venue.
Which subcompact SUV is best for you and your family? Let’s check out the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek and 2025 Hyundai Venue.
2025 Subaru Crosstrek
The Crosstrek is Subaru’s best-selling vehicle. It combines Subaru’s go-anywhere spirit with affordability. Last year, the automaker gave it a makeover, adding the more rugged Wilderness trim level, which widened its appeal.
As is the case with all Subaru cars, all-wheel drive (AWD) is standard equipment. However, the Crosstrek comes with plenty of advanced safety technology to make it appealing. While you’ll get to head off the beaten track, you’ll likely not arrive first using the base 152 horsepower 4-cylinder engine. An upgrade is available, pushing the ponies to 182. Pricing on the Crosstrek begins at $27,230, including the destination fee.
Crosstrek Highlights
Riding high: In addition to the all-wheel drive, Crosstrek can go where many subcompact SUVs cannot because of its 8.7-inch ground clearance, which leads the segment.
Driver assistance: Every Crosstrek features the latest version of Subaru’s EyeSight collection of driver assistance and safety technologies. It includes automatic emergency braking and steering, adaptive cruise control with lane-centering, and automatic high beams.
Touching base: Except for the base model, all Crosstrek trims come equipped with a massive, vertically oriented 11.6-inch touchscreen. Skip the base model and its dual 7-inch screen setup because sometimes bigger is better, and we find the bigger touchscreen is much easier to see and operate.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Crosstrek models near you.
2025 Hyundai Venue
When you think of the simplicity that a subcompact SUV offers, the Hyundai Venue should be the image that comes to mind, with clean, simple, attractive exterior styling and an equally unassuming interior.
The Venue is powered by a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine putting out 121 hp through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This powertrain results in getting 31 mpg combined city/highway driving. Its good fuel economy contributes to it earning our Lowest 5-Year Cost to Own honor in this class. Pricing starts at $21,550, including the destination fee.
Venue Highlights
Extra vision: Move up to the SEL trim model, and you get blind-spot monitoring, which functions like an extra set of eyes in places around the Venue that can be tough to see. It’s also particularly helpful when changing lanes on the freeway.
Ready to roll: Part of the SEL and Limited inventory, Snow mode adjusts the traction control system for optimum power application in slippery conditions, allowing you to get where you need to go while others are just spinning their wheels.
Great coverage: Like all Hyundai’s vehicles, the Venue benefits from the best warranty in the industry: a 5-year/60,000-mile (whichever happens first) basic warranty, a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and a 3-year/36,000-mile complimentary maintenance plan.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Venue models near you.
Similarities
Both subcompact SUVs are fuel-efficient people haulers with simple exterior styling.
Pricing
New 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$27,230 |
$25,593 |
|||
$28,480 |
$26,643 |
|||
$31,030 |
$29,391 |
|||
$32,930 |
$31,191 |
|||
$34,030 |
$32,233 |
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 Subaru Crosstrek 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 Subaru Crosstrek | 2025 Hyundai Venue | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 1.6-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 152 hp @ 6,000 rpm | 121 hp @ 6,300 rpm |
| Torque | 145 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm | 113 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm |
| Transmission | CVT automatic with AWD | CVT automatic with FWD |
| Fuel Economy | 27 city/34 highway/29 combined mpg | 29 city/33 highway/31 combined mpg |
| Also Available | 2.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder Wilderness model | 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-Star | 5-Star |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 105.1 inches | 99.2 inches |
| Overall Length | 176.4 inches | 159.1 inches |
| Width | 70.9 inches | 69.7 inches |
| Height | 63.0 inches | 61.6 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 35.4 feet | 33.4 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 39.8 inches | 39.4 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 38.0 inches | 38.6 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 42.9 inches | 41.3 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 36.5 inches | 34.3 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 56.8 inches | 53.9 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 55.3 inches | 53.7 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 19.9/54.7 cubic feet | 18.7/31.9 cubic feet |
Conclusion
One of these is not like the other. The Crosstrek can handle heading off-road with its class-leading ground clearance and standard all-wheel drive. However, its starting price is nearly $6,000 higher than the Venue. If you need a good starter vehicle, particularly in the city, the Venue is the call; otherwise, the Crosstrek is the choice.
