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Have you seen the Hyundai Santa Cruz? It’s one cute little truck. But Hyundai can go smaller if you want. That’s why it’s teasing the upcoming 2022 Hyundai AX1. It will serve as the smallest SUV that Hyundai has to offer. 

The tiny 2022 Hyundai AX1 is coming 

2022 Hyundai AX1 Teaser that shows a circular head light
2022 Hyundai AX1 teaser | Hyundai

Currently, the 2021 Hyundai Venue is the smallest SUV that Hyundai offers in America, so it can be used as a tiny Hyundai example. But the new 2022 Hyundai AX1 will be even smaller, according to CarBuzz. The Hyundai Venue is 159.1 inches long, 69.7 inches wide, and 61.6 inches tall. It also has a 99.2-inch wheelbase. 

All we have to go on at the moment are two teaser images. They don’t show much, but we can see that the AX1 has cute little circular daytime running lights with an outer LED ring. The lights are integrated into the bumper. 

You can also see that the grille has a triangular mesh pattern and the unique taillight design also features triangular LED lights. We don’t know what type of shape the SUV will have, but we might be reminded of the Mini Cooper if it’s boxy. 

The AX1 is expected to use the same K1 platform that the Grand i10 Nios uses. This means that the AX1 could be about 145 to 149 inches long. The Grand i10 Nios is sold in India, leading us to our next question. 

Will the Hyundai AX1 be offered in the United States? Maybe. Americans like bigger SUVs like the Hyundai Santa Fe and Palisade. Hyundai may decide that the AX1 is just too small for the American market. 

How much power will the AX1 have? 

A Hyundai Motor Co. Venue compact sport utility vehicle (SUV), center, stands on display at the company's Motorstudio showroom in Goyang, South Korea
2021 Hyundai Venue models | SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The 2022 Hyundai AX1 is rumored to have a 1.1-liter engine with 68 hp and 77 lb-ft of torque. It can be paired with an automatic or five-speed manual transmission. Wow, this sounds like a go-kart so far. Another rumor suggests that the AX1 could offer a 1.2-liter engine with 82 hp and 83 lb-ft of torque. 

Currently, the AX1 is expected to go on sale in South Korea before launching in other markets such as India. So, the fate of this little SUV reaching America may depend on how it performs in other areas first. 

Is the 2021 Hyundai Venue a good SUV? 

Yes, the 2021 Hyundai Venue is a great SUV. It’s just a little bigger than the upcoming 2022 Hyundai AX1. If you want a tiny SUV but can find a micro one like the AX1, then the Venue will meet all of your needs. 

You can get started in the Hyundai Venue for about $18,750, so it’s pretty economical. Plus, it gets an EPA-estimated 30 mpg in the city and up to 33 mpg on the highway. It’s a pretty efficient daily driver. 

The Venue has a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 121 hp and 113 lb-ft of torque. It may not be the fastest option, but it has responsive handling and can be pretty fun to zip around curves. 

Best of all, the Hyundai Venue provides tons of value. It comes with standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, forward collision warning, automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a driver attention monitor.

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