Hyundai Venue Breaks Cover, Ready To Take On Sub-4m SUVs With Bold Styling

The Korean carmaker’s smallest SUV in India yet will launch with three engine options and smart Internet-based technology

Update: Hyundai has launched the Venue in India with prices beginning from Rs 6.50 lakh (ex-showroom India). Click here to know more.

• The Hyundai Venue is set to launch on 21 May 2019.

• Will be offered with three powertrains - two petrol and one diesel.

• Debuts new 1.0-litre turbo-petrol and 7-speed DCT in India.

• Gets internet-based connected tech, 8-inch touchscreen and sunroof.

• Rivals Vitara Brezza, Nexon, XUV300 and EcoSport.

• Likely to be priced between Rs 8 lakh to Rs 12 lakh (ex-showroom).

• Hyundai Venue will come 3-year/unlimited kilmoetre warranty with 3-year roadside assistance as well.

Latest update: Hyundai Venue official bookings are now open. More details here.

The covers have finally come off the Hyundai Venue, the Korean brand’s global sub-compact SUV and its first for India. Unveiled simultaneously at the New York Auto Show and in India, the Venue is slated to launch in the country on 21 May 2019.

Originally showcased in 2017 as the Carlino concept, the Venue looks bold and boxy like the concept. The Hyundai Venue measures 3995mm in length and has a wheelbase of 2500mm.The width and height stand at 1770mm and 1590mm, respectively. In terms of design, the Venue is quite boxy but with smoother edges and design lines than the Creta.

The Venue’s most distinct visual character is at the front. The large Hyundai cascading grille and split headlamp design seem to have been inspired by the Kona and the new Santa-Fe. The Venue has indicators mounted on the edge of the bonnet while the projector headlamps surrounded by LED DRLs are lower down on the front bumper. The projector fog lamps sit underneath the headlights.

At the rear, the styling is clean with the shoulder line running across the boot lid as well for a sculpted look. Hyundai has also added a ‘Turbo’ badge with red lettering for variants powered by the new 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine, which it debuts in India. The LED tail lamps are also of an elegant, conventional design in contrast to the headlamp design.

Inside the cabin, the Venue showcases a fresh dashboard layout as compared to other Hyundai models sold in India. The Venue that was showcased today was equipped with the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and featured an all-black interior with silver bezels around the AC vents. The steering wheel is also a new design and gets updated steering mounted controls while the centre console is divided into clear sections. At the top sits the infotainment screen, which is flanked by AC vents. The middle portion houses the climate control while the bottom row features USB ports and a wireless charger. The instrument cluster gets an analogue tachometer and speedometer split by a digital MID (multi-info display).

The Hyundai Venue will be available with three powertrain options, most notably a new 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine. It produces 120PS of power and 172Nm of torque while mated to a 6-speed manual. A new 7-speed dual-clutch transmission developed in-house will also be available with this new engine. The other petrol engine is the familiar 1.2-litre unit found on hatchbacks like the Elite i20 and Grand i10. It produces 83PS and 115Nm while mated to a 5-speed manual.

Diesel variants are powered by Hyundai’s 1.4-diesel engine with an output of 90PS and 220Nm while mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. Sadly, this engine will not be offered with an automatic gearbox.

The Hyundai Venue will also debut the carmaker’s connected car technology called BlueLink. This tech uses an eSIM from Vodafone-Idea for internet access as well as access to vehicle telematics via the BlueLink smartphone application. The app can also be used for remote control features like ignition and AC control, among others. For the full rundown of the connected tech features, click here.

The Venue is well-equipped as expected from a Hyundai model. Its feature list includes an 8-inch floating touchscreen display for the infotainment system, automatic climate control, sunroof, cruise control and wireless charging too. It will also get rear AC vents and an air purifier.

Hyundai will offer the Venue with up to six airbags, at least on the top-spec variant. Other safety features that will be offered include hill assist control, electronic stability control, vehicle stability management, ISOFIX child seat mounts and brake assist too. The standard safety net should include dual-front airbags, ABS with EBD, front passenger seatbelt reminders and speed limit alerts.

The all-new Hyundai Venue is scheduled to launch on 21 May 2019 with prices expected to range between Rs 8 lakh to Rs 12 lakh. Once launched, Hyundai’s smallest SUV will rival the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Mahindra XUV300, Tata Nexon, Ford EcoSport and the 2020 Renault HBC.