This week I'm driving the Hyundai Venue Denim, the very definition of what the auto industry calls a "cute ute."
The big picture: The stylish compact SUV is aimed at young urban buyers who want an SUV but have no intention of driving off-road. (Good thing because it's not available in four-wheel-drive.)
63% of Venue buyers are women — people like my 24-year-old daughter who said she could see herself owning one.
What's new: The Denim edition I drove is full of personality, with a distinctive blue interior inspired by your favorite jeans.
The fabric and leatherette seats have a blue striped pattern and most of the interior surfaces are blue, too, with cream-colored accents.
The Venue Denim also stands out for its exterior styling, including a two-tone, blue-and-white paint job.
Advanced safety technologies like automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist are standard on all Venue models, along with a driver attention warning system to detect drowsy or careless driving.
The bottom line: The Hyundai Venue is a cool, well-equipped, small car that's affordable, starting at just $17,250 and topping out at $23,305 for the Denim edition.
