Hyundai Venue sub-compact SUV breaks cover with segment-above features, three engine options

The market for sub-compact SUVs, a skewed concept that is probably unique only to India, has been expanding and manufacturers have been trooping in slowly with their sub-four-metre vehicles. Even as they have probably been shaking their heads disbelievingly about the logic behind the size classification and tax benefits due to that, almost every major car-maker is joining the fray. The last one to do so was Mahindra with its SsangYong Tivoli-derived XUV 300. It had to be chopped up, compared to the original, rather inelegantly in order to get entry into the size class.

The most anticipated new launch in this vehicle category this year will be the Venue from Hyundai. Going by the teasers and the sketches that Hyundai has been very shrewdly releasing in regular intervals to allow the hype to build to a fever pitch, the Venue looks set to prove a tough competitor to the likes of the Ford EcoSport, the XUV 300, Tata Nexon and the current leader in the segment, the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza.

But, there is no need for any more waiting to get juicy details about the Venue. The vehicle was unveiled on Wednesday onboard a cruise ship while sailing over the Arabian Sea between Mumbai and Goa. The first look here for Indian media was meant to coincide with the Venue’s global unveil at the New York International Auto Show. Here are the first official images of the Venue and the key features of the vehicle.

Loaded package

The Venue, which is due to be officially launched on May 21 and will reach showrooms within the next four weeks, will be offered with two petrol engines and a diesel one. It just manages to fit into the sub-four-metre category with an overall length of 3,995 mm. For a vehicle in the relatively price sensitive sub-compact SUV category, the Venue has quite a few interesting features, many of which are not offered by competing vehicles. They include an electric sunroof, wireless phone charger, cornering lamps, BlueLink connectivity features, an air purifier, a turbo-charged one-litre engine and a dual-clutch transmission.

The one-litre turbocharged petrol Kappa 1.0L T-GDI is the engine to really wait for. Said to have been developed by Hyundai Motor Group R&D, the engine has a compact layout while being extremely efficient in terms of both power delivery and fuel consumption. The engine’s exhaust manifold has been integrated into the cylinder head enabling better high-rpm performance. The Kappa 1.0L T-GDI generates 120 PS of peak power and 17.5 KgM of peak torque. The engine is paired either with the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission or the five-speed manual.

The other petrol engine on offer will be the 1.2-litre Kappa, which delivers 83 PS of power and 11.7 KgM of torque and gets the five-speed manual as the only option.

The choice of diesel engine will be the 1.4-litre oil burner capable of delivering 90 PS of power and 22.4 KgM of torque. This engine will be paired with the six-speed manual transmission.

Attractive design

The Venue’s design is a good break away from some of the hatchback-like designs we have seen in the past for sub-compact SUVs. With a clear SUV-like stance despite its compact proportions being the most impactful feature, the Venue also manages to offer Hyundai family design similarities without seeming like a copy of a larger sibling.

The dark chrome bonnet grille at the front gives it an aggressive fascia and the slim headlamps and square LED DRLs framing the projector lamps make a clear statement that this is not a compromise despite its size and price limitations. It is still quite a narrow vehicle though the chunky wheel arches and haunches give it a squat, wide stance. Though you don’t see it in these pictures, the Venue will be offered with a contrast roof option, with the dual colour theme running also onto inserts in the front and rear fenders, giving it a very pleasing persona overall.

The cabin is where the relatively compact proportions of the Venue can be perceived. It is certainly not cramped for a vehicle in its segment.

Though there is a fair amount of legroom and headroom, the shoulder room in the cabin only seems as much as in a B-plus segment hatch.

The quality of the cabin is, however, excellent with the seats, upholstery, switches, controls and knobs coming together to deliver a modern, neatly finished cabin.

The eight-inch infotainment screen, the Arkamys tuned music system and the stitched trim panels were the highlights in the SX trim variant that was on display. The black and white digital instruments behind the steering wheel felt a little dated.

Of course, the Venue will be the first car in the segment to offer BlueLink connectivity and related safety, security and connected features with the use of a e-SIM.

New kid on the block

The Hyundai Venue will be a key addition to the brand’s portfolio in India. It fills a gap, one that was created by the wide acceptance of the concept of a sub-compact SUV. The sustained growth in numbers only augurs well for newcomers like the Venue. Hyundai officials are confident that the Venue will not cannibalise into the sales of the i20, though the prices of the two vehicles could well be set close to each other. We should be able to get a better picture about this new Hyundai’s prospects after driving it next month.

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