Hyundai Venue: Having captured media attention with its standout style, range of technology and driver fun, the Hyundai Venue has become a strong player in India’s booming sub-4-meter SUV class, appealing to city-dwellers who want crossover versatility without the size and expense of larger cars.
Between Urban And Suburban Crossroads Of City Elegance
The Venue offers a striking design beyond its limited dimensions. The car’s front-end design includes Hyundai’s signature cascading grille, with a separated slim upper DRL’s which then flow down with separate main beams.
This layout provides an unmistakable light signature styling for the Venue in a segment that struggles to deviate from the design norm.
While its in profile, neat design touches such as a floating roofline, strong wheel arches and well defined character lines provide visual flair without making the T-Cross seem overly fussy.
At the rear, connected by a reflective strip is a set of square LED tail lamps, which give the car the look of width, despite the car fitting in the palm of your hand.
The Inside: It’s All In The Details
Step inside and the Venue strikes an upfront impression with a cabin that measures technology savvy and ergonomic practicality.
Mounted high for easy viewing, the 8-inch touchscreen takes pride of place on the dash and is a good size so you don’t have to squint to see menus, plus there are good old-fashioned buttons for controlling climate functions – a nod to nostalgia perhaps, but one that hands credit to usability over minimalist style.
Material quality goes beyond what’s expected in the segment, with soft-touch surfaces at touch points, and well-textured hard plastics elsewhere.
The front seats are supportive enough for everyday driving, though the rear bench is comfortable for two grown-ups and not three, a limitation that comes with sub-4-meter package.
Performance Credentials
There is notable powertrain diversity here for the segment. There will choose between a 83-ps NA petrol, a 120-ps turbo petrol and a 100-ps diesel.
Transmission options range from standard 5-speed and 6-speed manual or a smooth 7-speed dual-clutch automatic available only with the turbocharged petrol.
Special mention for the turbo-petrol version that finally gave driving pleasure to this class.
Its mid-range surge makes for an agreeable city driving experience, and while the dual-clutch occasionally baulks at crawling speed, shifts are rapid and seamless on the move.
Technology Integration
The Venue was the first to feature connected car technology in the segment with Hyundai’s BlueLink system that allows features such as remote engine start/stop, climate control, vehicle tracking and geofencing.
The infotainment system features wireless smartphone integration, and a premium Arkamys sound system provides musical enjoyment that breaks new ground in this segment.
Features such as up to six airbags, electronic stability control, vehicle stability management and hill-start assist are just a few of the safety technologies Hyundai has included in this well thought-out safety package that is offered as standard, continuing the brand’s ethos as safety pioneers in the segment.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Unique styling falls in the crowded class
Turbocharged engine available now for a more entertaining drive
Loaded cabin comes with segment-first connected car tech
Comfortable suspension dialed in just right for handling
Plenty of variety in available powertrains
Feels sturdy and build quality is surprisingly good for its small size
Extensive service network for peace of mind of ownership
Cons:
“Rear seat space cramped for taller folks”
Small boot space for the size of vehicle as some comparable compact SUVs
DCT can be a bit lazy in stop-start traffic at times
Entry trims feel a lot less plush than their upper spec brethren
More road and wind noise at highway speeds
Lack of ground clearanceᦇ spawning enough true off-road capability
No automatic with diesel variant
Hyundai Venue: Market Impact
priced between 7.5 -12.5 lakhs, ex-showroom, the Venue is the premium choice in the sub 4-metre SUV space.
Its success shows how Indian consumers are valuing features, tech, and design more and more over space efficiency – the market’s old mantra of getting the most size for the price.
The Venue is evidence of how far small cars have come from the days when they were the compromise-laden budget offering and instead are now unapologetically aspirational products that just happen to be city-size.
If you are an urbanite who craves the look of a crossover and modern tech and powertrain choices without having to compromise when it comes to parking and maneuverability, the Hyundai Venue provides a pretty good package for the price of relatively few compromises or thirst!