Hyundai Venue

There was a time when the Hyundai Venue was one of the most feature and tech loaded offerings in its segment. But with time, the segment has moved on to offer fancier creature comforts and innovative packaging solutions to allure the crowd away. So what does the Hyundai Venue offer in 2025, that could make you consider it over its rivals? That’s exactly what we will find out.

• While the Hyundai Venue’s design was rather stylish when it was updated in 2022, it now looks simple compared to the new bold designs we now have in the segment.

• The nose is predominantly covered by the huge dark chrome-finished grille, which makes it look butch.

• The headlight setup is split with the sleek LED DRLs above, and the square-shaped LED projector headlights sitting below towards the bumper.

• The side profile of the Venue is rather simple with not much going on in terms of cuts, creases, or cladding.

• I do like the 16-inch alloys which look really sporty. While the base variant of the Venue gets 15-inch steel wheels with covers, a few lower trims also get 16-inch wheels with covers.

• All variants of the Venue get a spare 15-inch steel wheel.

• The rear is likely the most stylish angle of the Venue with its connected LED taillights and sharkfin antenna.

• Overall, the Venue is a sophisticated looking car in a segment where the designs are getting a bit over-the-top.

• In terms of colour options, Hyundai offers five monotone shades: Atlas White, Fiery Red, Titan Grey, Abyss Black, and Ranger Khaki (adventure only).

• The Ranger Khaki, Fiery Red, Atlas White and Titan Grey are also available with a dual-tone Abyss Black roof.

• Special editions like the Adventure and Knight edition models with their exclusive visual cues are available for people who want to stand out.

Design and Quality

• The Hyundai Venue has a simple yet classy interior design.

• The quality of plastics used is good and there are no fit and finish issues either.

• With a dual-tone black and beige colour scheme in the standard version, the cabin feels airy too.

• It doesn’t get full leatherette seats, but a mix of leatherette on the bolsters and fabric in the middle section.

Driving position

• The front seats of the Venue are quite comfortable and offer good lateral support.

• For adjusting the driving position, there’s seat height adjustment and tilt steering adjustment available.

• A 4-way powered driver seat with slide and recline functionality makes it more effortless to adjust the position.

Passenger comfort

• The rear seats of the Venue are a comfortable space for two adults.

• The scooped out front seat back offers enough knee room, while the underthigh support is good.

• Headroom is plenty and the 2-step recline for the seat back can be used to improve comfort over long journeys.

• Other conveniences at the rear include rear AC vents, a central armrest, and two type-c charging ports.

• I wouldn’t recommend seating three adults at the back of the Venue.

Storage & charging options

• The Hyundai Venue offers just the right amount of practicality that you’d expect from a sub-4m SUV.

• It gets 1-litre bottle pockets on all four doors, cupholders in the central console and an open storage space ahead of the gear lever.

• The centre armrest gets a small storage underneath, while the space of the glovebox is decent. The latter gets a cooling function as well.

• I like the slab on the passenger side dashboard, which can be used to store loose items like phones, wallets, powerbanks or keys.

• Rear passengers get two cupholders in the central armrest and seatback pockets as well.

• The front passengers get a type-A, type-C and 12V socket, while the rear passengers get two type-C charging ports.

Features

• The Hyundai Venue’s features list isn’t the best in segment, but it doesn’t miss on anything that you’d need on a daily basis.

• The 8-inch infotainment system is small compared to rivals, but works as intended with no lag or glitches.

• This screen also supports wired Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, which run seamlessly.

• With connected car tech features packing Google or Alexa voice commands, you can check your tyre pressures, fuel level and more at the convenience of your home itself.

• Venue’s digital driver’s display looks and feels basic compared to the competition, but its functionality is hard to complain about.

• The instrument cluster gets a drive mode-specific theme, while the MID-display in the centre relays a bunch of information in a clear manner.

• There’s no panoramic sunroof, but the single-pane sunroof can be controlled using voice commands.

• Hyundai only offers a four-speaker sound system with the Venue, and the experience is substandard only.

• Other features of the Venue include cruise control, ambient lighting, auto AC, rear AC vents, 4-way powered driver seat, auto folding outside mirrors, and an air purifier.

• I wish Hyundai offered the Venue with equipment like a branded audio system, auto inside mirror and ventilated seats for a better feature experience.

• 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, ISOFIX mounts, electronic stability program (ESC), hill-hold assist, and rear parking sensors are offered as standard fitment.

• A tyre pressure monitoring system, rear parking camera and rear defogger get added in the higher variants.

• Level-1 autonomous driving assistance features (ADAS) like lane keep assist, high beam assist, and forward collision avoidance are limited to the SX(O) variant.

• Hyundai also offers a dashcam in the Venue, but only in the Knight and SX(O) Adventure.

• This version of the Hyundai Venue hasn’t been crash tested by any independent crash test agency yet.

• The Venue’s boot can easily store a suitcase set (large, medium, and small suitcase) and still have space left for some small bags or items.

• The rear seats get 60:40 split, so you can fold them to store some larger items if needed.

• The Hyundai Venue gets three engine options: 1.2-litre, naturally aspirated petrol, 1-litre turbo-petrol, and a 1.5-litre diesel engine.

• The diesel and NA petrol are only available with a 6-speed and a 5-speed manual, respectively.

• A 6-speed MT and 7-speed dual clutch transmission DCT are the transmission options available with the turbo-petrol only.

NA petrol

• This 4-cylinder NA petrol engine is a smooth and refined unit.

• With a modest power and torque output, this engine feels new-driver friendly with its smooth acceleration.

• Performance is adequate for regular city runabouts, but don’t expect it to be exciting or fun.

• It cruises at 80kmph without an issue, but overtakes beyond those speeds will require planning.

• I found the manual transmission to be rather easy to use with its light clutch.

• You can expect a real-world fuel efficiency of around 10-12kmpl with the NA petrol engine.

Turbo-petrol

• Compared to the NA petrol, the Venue’s turbo-petrol feels quicker immediately.

• Its performance isn’t outright exciting, but it feels effortless to reach and maintain triple digit speeds.

• Even beyond the 100kmph mark, it has enough power to make a quick overtake and the DCT is quick to drop a gear in such cases.

• The manual is a good option if you want the turbo-petrol engine on a budget, but I would pick the DCT for its convenience, smoothness and quickness.

• There’s just about enough grunt in the lower RPM range for you to keep up with the traffic, so you won’t find yourself shifting down a gear until and unless you want a quick overtake.

• I really enjoyed using the paddle shifters offered with the DCT, which let you control the gears manually.

• Just like most 3-cylinder turbo-petrol engines, the Venue turbo isn’t very fuel efficient as you can expect an efficiency of around 10kmpl if you’re gentle with the throttle.

Diesel

• The Venue’s diesel engine offers a middle ground in the lineup with its balance of performance and fuel efficiency.

• The noise and vibration levels are acceptable by diesel standards.

• It picks up speed from low RPMs with ease, and the performance feels strong in the city.

• It maintains triple digit speeds with ease.

• Overtakes at higher speeds won’t be as quick as the turbo-petrol engine, but you won’t have any issues either.

• The diesel can return a mileage of around 14kmpl and 18-20kmpl in the city and highway, respectively, provided that you are gentle on the throttle.

• The Venue’s ride comfort won’t give you any reasons for complaints.

• It might be set up on the stiffer side, but still absorbs bumps, speed breakers and broken patches of road rather well.

• Slowing down for really big bumps or imperfections is better for comfort, otherwise the dampers tend to bottom out and make a loud thud sound.

• The car feels stable at high speeds too.

• The steering is light and easy to maneuver in the city, and you won’t have any issues with it around a corner as well.

• The 2025 Hyundai Venue can be had in 13 variants: E/E+, S/S+, Executive, S+/S(O)/S(O)+, S(O)+ Adventure, S(O) Knight, SX Executive, SX, SX Adventure, SX Knight, SX(O), SX(O) Adventure, SX(O) Knight.

E/E+

• Basic styling with halogen headlights, body coloured bumpers and 15-inch steel wheels with covers.

• Covers only the most rudimentary features like manual AC, front power windows, tilt steering adjust, and type-C and 12-V charging sockets.

• E+ get an electric roof too.

• Safety kit gets six airbags, hill hold assist, ISFOXI mounts, and electronic stability program (ESP) as standard.

S/S+

• Body coloured outside mirrors, and silver roof rails are the only changes to the exterior.

• 8-inch touchscreen system with wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay and 6-speaker sound system is the most significant addition.

• Other functional inclusions are rear power windows, electrically adjustable outside mirrors, auto headlamps, wireless phone charger, front central armrest, and rear AC vents.

• Improved safety with rear parking camera with dynamic guidelines, tyre pressure monitoring system, and rear defogger.

Executive

• Entry-level turbo variant.

• Bigger 16-inch wheels with styled wheel covers is the only change in exterior styling.

• Adds cruise control to the features list but misses out on wireless phone charger.

• No changes in the safety kit.

S+/S(O)/S(O)+

• Petrol variants sport a better look with LED projector headlamps, LED DRLs cornering lamps, and connected LED taillights. 16-inch styled wheels are limited to the turbo-petrol.

• DCT version gets a D-cut steering wheel and leatherette on the steering wheel and gear knob.

• Functional additions include a height adjustable driver seat, rear parcel tray (petrol only), cruise control (turbo-petrol only), and push button start/stop (NA petrol only).

• Drive modes and paddle shifters are exclusively available with the DCT version.

S(O)+ Adventure

• No connected LED tail lights, but gets a full LED setup at the front, black painted grille and outside mirror, black front and rear skid plate, 15-inch alloys with a black wheel cover, black shark fin antenna and side door cladding.

• Cabin gets black theme with sage green inserts, semi-leatherette upholstery, designer floor mats, and metal pedals.

• Only adds a wireless phone charger over the previous variant.

S(O) Knight

• Body coloured bumper with brass inserts, and Knight emblem are the only additions to the design.

• The interior too gets black theme with brass coloured inserts.

• Feature and safety package are unchanged.

SX Executive

• Premium looks with full LED setup including connected tail lights, body coloured bumpers, and silver finished skid plates and roof rails.

• Cabin gets D-cut steering, fabric seats, and leatherette on the steering and gear knob.

• Improved rear seat comfort and versatility with rear adjustable headrests, 2-step reclining seat back and 60:40 split.

• Feature additions include electric sunroof, auto folding outside mirrors, puddle lamps, cooled glovebox, and luggage lamp.

• No changes in the safety kit save for the deletion of dashcam.

SX

• 16-inch alloy wheels are available with the diesel only.

• Remote engine start/stop, cruise control, and rear wiper and washer are add ons with the diesel only.

• Boasts connected car technology with the NA petrol engine, voice commands for the sunroof and Alexa integration for other functions as well.

SX Adventure

• Exterior and interior treatment is similar to the previous Adventure edition variant.

• No changes to the features list over the NA petrol version of the SX variant.

SX Knight

• Exterior and interior treatment is similar to the previous Knight edition variant.

• Feature and safety kit remains unchanged over SX NA petrol.

SX(O)

• Sports 16-inch alloy wheels with red finished brake calipers at the front.

• Cabin gets ambient lighting for a better look.

• New features include 4-way powered driver’s seat, cruise control, rear wiper and washer and an air purifier (petrol only).

• Only variant to offer Level-1 autonomous driving assistance features (ADAS).

SX(O) Adventure

• Similar visual exterior and interior treatment as previous Adventure editions.

• No changes in the features list over the SX(O) variant, but doesn’t get ADAS features.

SX(O) Knight

• Similar visual exterior and interior inclusions as previous Knight editions.

• Same features list as the SX(O) variant, but no ADAS in the safety kit.

CarDekho Recommends

• If you’re on a tight budget and are ready to compromise on the look and feel of the car, but not on the functional day-to-day features, then you can go  for the S/S+ variant. If you want performance in a similar package, then Executive is a good choice.

• The Adventure and Knight editions are a good option for people who want something different to the standard vehicle.

• The mid-spec SX variant offers a good value for its price, with the choice of both petrol and diesel engines.

It is pretty evident that the Hyundai Venue’s package is lacking when it comes to the features that the segment offers. But most of the misses are discretionary and the cars packing them carry a significant premium over the Venue. At its price, what the Venue continues to offer is a sensible package for a small family SUV with its practicality, usability and various engine options that cater to different needs. It might not fulfill all your wants, but it definitely covers all you will need from a car this size.

Other cars to consider instead of the Hyundai Venue

Tata Nexon

Reasons to consider 

• Better feature and entertainment package

• CNG option

• Option of an automatic with the diesel

• 5-star BNCAP safety rating

Reasons to ignore

• No ADAS

• Cabin ergonomics

• Top variants are much more expensive

• No NA petrol engine option

Kia Sonet

Reasons to consider

• Better feature and infotainment package

• Sharper styling

Reasons to ignore

• More expensive for a similar package

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Reasons to consider

• Better rear seat space

• Features Level-2 ADAS tech

• Better overall feature package 

Reasons to ignore

• Polarising styling might not suit everybody’s taste

• Top variants are more expensive

Maruti Fronx/Toyota Taisor

Reasons to consider

• Quicker turbo-petrol engine

• Option of CNG with the NA petrol

• Ride comfort

• Option of an automatic with the NA petrol

Reasons to ignore

• No diesel