The Fun-to-drive compact SUV

Compact SUVs have quickly become one of the best-selling cars in the Indian market. Their practical yet compact nature gives users the feeling of an SUV with the driveability of a hatchback, allowing these cars to be good for the city and road trips with family and friends. Selling nearly 60,000 units in June 2023 alone, compact SUVs are here to stay. 

But what if someone wanted a compact SUV that is also fun to drive? Hyundai seems to have the answer to that with the Hyundai Venue. 

Hyundai Venue Pros and Cons 

Hyundai Venue Exterior Design 

The Hyundai Venue captivated buyers with its futuristic and funky styling when it first launched in 2019, and the 2022 facelift stays true to the original design with minor changes to keep it relevant. The new front grille with dark chrome may not be to everyone’s taste, but does add to an already impressive looking front fascia. The venue also gets LED projector headlamps now, which are integrated well into the bumper. The front bumper itself has been redesigned to be more angular, and the same holds true for the rear bumper, which is more squared off. The LED light bar — which is becoming a popular design element now — connects the tail lamps for that touch of gimmicky yet nice to look at feel. The shoulder lines lend heft to an otherwise sleek looking design and the overall silhouette of the Venue is like a shrunken SUV in a good way. The 16 inch diamond cut alloys finish off the exterior well. 

Hyundai Venue Interiors 

Inside, the Venue has been kept up-to-date with a slew of minor changes. The steering wheel is wrapped in leather and feels premium to hold, and this holds true for most touch points in the car, with premium quality plastics used. The 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system has been updated and is now smoother to operate. The air purifier, which earlier sat in the middle like a large coffee cup, has been replaced with one that is integrated into the front armrest. The dual-tone dashboard and seats make the Venue feel roomier than it is, and the overall quality of materials in the cabin is good. There is also a sunroof — not a panoramic one — that will be a welcome addition during pleasant weather. There is ample storage space throughout the cabin for your belongings, and the 350-litre boot is excellent for packing in all your luggage for a road trip. 

Hyundai Venue Comfort 

Hyundai has always made comfortable cars and the Venue is no different. The front seats are contoured well and you won’t feel fatigue even after long hours behind the wheel. The adjustable driver armrest adds to this. The seats are finished in a fabric-leatherette material that feels premium and should not wear and tear too quickly. One big miss in the Venue is the lack of ventilated seats, with them not even being an option. The 2022 Venue does get an electrically adjustable driver seat, however, it has no memory function. The rear is great for two adults, and three is a squeeze. What you do get in the rear though, is adjustable headrests and recline, which translates to a comfortable experience in the back seat. Knee and leg room is adequate but you may end up wanting to stop and stretch your legs after long hours on the road. 

Hyundai Venue Performance and Handling

The Venue is available with two petrol engines, and is one of the few compact SUVs that is still available with a diesel. The 1.2-litre, 4 cylinder engine produces 83 bhp and 114 Nm and is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, with no automatic on offer. For that you’ll need to go for the 1.0-litre Turbo petrol producing 120 bhp and 172 Nm, and is mated to either a 6-speed manual or 7-speed DCT. And the 1.0-litre turbo is definitely the engine to go for if you’re an enthusiast. Sure, there is turbo lag but once it gets going, there is fun to be had with the Venue, especially on highway drives where overtaking becomes a second-nature. If you get the DCT, this is where you can have some fun with the paddle shifters. Finally, the 1.5 turbo diesel produces 100 bhp and 240 Nm, and as expected, is quite the little torque monster. The downside is that it only comes with a 6-speed manual, which is a miss from Hyundai as the Venue’s sibling, the Sonet, has this option. The drive modes on offer — Normal, Eco, and Sport — also adapt the engine response to suit your driving style. 

From behind the wheel, the Venue handles similarly to most modern Hyundais. There is body roll but it isn’t as bad as it used to be, in say, the old Verna. What you do get as a result is a car that is excellent no matter the condition of the road and still reassuring enough on highways. 

Key specifications 

Hyundai Venue Safety Features

The Hyundai Venue scored an impressive four stars in the ANCAP safety tests, which speaks to the excellent build quality on offer. However, the model sold in India may score differently. The Venue also gets six airbags (two in the base variant), ISOFIX, TPMS, ABS, EBD, brake assist, ESP, and traction control. 

Hyundai Venue Technology and Infotainment

The Hyundai Venue might be a compact SUV, but don’t let that fool you as it comes packed with all the features you might need. The 8-inch touchscreen is slick and Alexa enabled and gets Hyundai’s Blue Link connected car features allowing you to control key features with your phone. The six speaker music system is good and most will not want to upgrade to aftermarket speakers. The driver also gets a fully-digital instrument cluster and there is a wireless charging pad in the front. The rear gets charging ports which make the rear seat feel complete and not lacking in creature comforts. Automatic climate control, reverse camera with parking sensors and cruise control, are other features that ensure you don’t miss out on ‘big car’ features. 

Is the Hyundai Venue for you?

If you’re in the market for a hatchback that feels like an SUV, but drives like a hatchback, but is as practical as an SUV then the Venue is for you. The rear seat might be a little cramped for three adults, but the Venue more than makes up for this in the way it drives, the features on offer, and the backing of Hyundai’s reliability and excellent service network. Starting at less than ₹8 lakh ex-showroom, the Venue represents great value for those looking for a single car garage.