2019 Hyundai Venue 1.0 Turbo Petrol First Drive Review

Currently, no other segment is as jam-packed as the compact SUV segment. Earlier lead by the likes of Ford EcoSport and Renault Duster, this lucrative space has countersigned a lot of action in the last few years thanks to cars like the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and the Tata Nexon. However, now, the task of picking an ideal compact SUV is bound to be even more difficult as Hyundai, too, has come up with an all-new model.  

Not wanting to be left behind in what is now a big volume game, Hyundai India has finally caught up with the competition and launched the Venue. And after endless speculations and a barrage of spy pictures of the prototypes, we have now driven the real deal. In fact, what we have here might be the sweet spot in the Venue’s line-up, the SX 1.0 petrol with a six-speed manual. 

Much like the Maruti Brezza, the Venue uses its upright stance and a sufficiently lengthy bonnet to achieve a well-balanced look. It may look a little conservative from a distance, however, it’s when you get up close that you begin to see the little details. Bits like the dark chrome finish for the grille, the low-set bumper mounted headlamps and the rectangular DRLs are new for this segment. The top-spec SX trim also gets 16-inch alloys, proper roof rails and projector fog lamps. Our favourite piece of design though are the LED tail lamps with something called as lenticular lens which look truly distinctive when they are lit. In terms of dimensions, the Venue is just as long as the competition but it’s noticeably shorter and narrower. This certainly reflects on its road presence – it appears small even by compact SUV standards and its 195mm ground clearance is just about average.

The Venue’s interior is typical new-age Hyundai – neatly designed, ergonomically laid out with a healthy mix of well-finished plastics and soft-touch materials. Now as you step in, the first thing you are likely to notice is how slim and flat the dashboard is. Speaking of slim and flat, the other feature that is bound to get your attention is the tablet-style touchscreen display which looks rather sleek. The leather steering wheel, too, looks classy though we would have liked it even more if Hyundai would have kept the fussy buttons to a minimum. As for quality, you get soft-touch materials on the door arm rests and sturdy switchgear, offset by hard plastics on the dash and door pads. 

Once seated behind the wheel, there is a lot to like in here. First up, the visibility all-around is superb thanks to a fairly big glass area and the slim A-pillars. Secondly, the front seat offers plenty of back support and a surprising amount of under thigh support as well. As for the rear, the bench seat is nicely contoured and the base itself is at a good height. You also get sufficient legroom and more than enough headroom, however, what’s lacking is shoulder room when you have three adults seated abreast. Thankfully, there is no lack of storage options – you get deep bottle holders on the doors, a decent sized glove box, cup holders between the front seats and an open area above the glove box.   

Standard equipment beyond the basic features include wireless charging, a sunroof, sliding front armrest with storage, cooled glove box, an eight-inch infotainment system with smartphone mirroring tech and cruise control. The Venue also gets dual airbags, ABS with EBD and rear parking sensors, no matter what variant you pick. Buyers who do plenty of highway driving would be glad to see that the top-spec trim gets six airbags, stability control and cornering lamps as standard. 

Now the Venue is claimed to be India’s first truly connected compact SUV. What this means is that it gets an AI-enabled tech that’s linked to GPS for location-based services and also comes with a few India-specific features for added convenience.  Hyundai’s Blue Link Connectivity app which is preloaded into the car’s infotainment system offers up to 33 services related to safety, security, remote control (for specific functions of the car) and vehicle alerts. 

For this test we have the one-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol version that’s paired to a six-speed manual. Rated at 120bhp and 172Nm which is more than sufficient for a car of this size, this engine is fairly high on tech, featuring a twin stage oil pump and a clever waste-gate management for the turbo, all to improve throttle response and reduce energy losses. Out on the road, the Venue feels brisk right from the word go – sure this motor needs revs to deliver a punch but it never feels stressed even under load or when climbing hills, as we found out on our drive through the picturesque hilly regions around Guwahati. 

Despite forced induction, this Venue pulls strongly from as low as 1,800rpm with no signs of bogging down. Post 2,500rpm there is a slight bit of spike in power delivery on boost which makes progress noticeably quicker. As for refinement, this tiny engine spins eagerly all the way till the redline without sounding coarse but the build-up in speed isn’t that strong at the top-end as power tapers off post 5,500rpm. A special mention here goes to the six-speed manual which is not only incredibly precise and easy to use but also supplements the strong torque delivery. And because the clutch isn’t heavy at all, this manual version is no chore to drive, even in heavy traffic. 

Hyundai’s current crop of cars have been taking big strides in the ride and handling department and the Venue is no exception. The term ‘car-like’ is one of the most overused clichés among us motoring journalists, I admit, but it’s appropriate here — the Venue rides and handles like a hatchback and that’s not a bad thing at all. It feels nimble and manoeuvrable and although the steering is a bit too light and devoid of feel, the chassis balance is excellent. But for many, this isn’t relevant. What matters is the ride quality and for the most part, the Venue’s ride can be jiggly over road imperfections. Compared to something like a Nexon, the rear tends to bounce over big undulations whereas the Tata would simply glide over the same surface. On the plus side, the suspension remains quiet over jittery surfaces and even the overall NVH is kept well within check.  

At the end of the day, the Venue is yet another outcome of Hyundai hitting all the right notes. As a family compact SUV, it nails the brief rather well, featuring a refined motor, well-sorted dynamics and a comfortable cabin that’s loaded to the roofline. Sure, if you are in the market for a spacious five-seater that can challenge bad roads with ease, we would point you towards the Tata Nexon or even the Mahindra XUV300, but if its anything else the Venue simply does it better and overall, is our pick of the crossover lot.

On-road prices for the Hyundai Venue range between Rs 7.64 lakhs and Rs 13.13 lakhs, depending on the variant. The diesel-only Vitara Brezza is priced between Rs 9.20 lakhs and Rs 12.80 lakhs whereas the EcoSport is the priciest of the lot, going all the way till Rs 14.36 lakhs.