Hyundai used to be known for producing cheap and not particularly great cars, but that was before it became one of the leading carmakers in the world. Its palette includes expensive and luxurious cars and SUVs.
The good thing is that Korean engineers didn't forget how to make affordable cars, and the Venue is a perfect example.
This small SUV is affordable but also features great overall quality. Its simple design approach makes it easy to maintain and perfect for drivers looking for a cheap commute. Despite the low price, this crossover meets the latest standards in safety and other technologies.
The First Generation of Hyundai Venue (2020-present)
In 2019, Hyundai initially introduced the Venue as their new entry-level crossover. The Australian model debuted the same year as the 2020 Hyundai Venue. We haven't seen more significant changes so far, although some rumours suggest a mid-cycle refresh for the 2023 model year.
Currently, the Hyundai Venue price starts at around $21,240, while the most expensive versions cost slightly over $27,000.
Design
The first and currently the only generation of this crossover was introduced in 2019, but the development started a few years earlier. The company needed a new entry-level crossover that would be simple, affordable, and versatile enough to compete in different parts of the world.
That’s why you’ll find it in various markets, including Australia and many Asian, North American, and European countries.
The best word to describe the Venue would be simplicity. Just looking at its base design characteristics, it becomes obvious why this crossover features such an affordable price. It balances simple mechanics and decent interior quality, which is the thing that makes it a quite desirable car in the segment of small city crossovers.
The car is built on the company's familiar K2 platform, the same one used for another super-simple car, the Hyundai Accent.
This design approach includes many proven design solutions, starting from an atmospheric inline-four engine, a relatively simple suspension setup, and more. On the other hand, the styling resembles bigger and more expensive models, so it's no wonder it's darn good-looking.
Suspension and Brakes
When it comes to the suspension setup, the car features a typical independent McPherson strut at the front, which provides a good balance between comfort and handling. On the other end, Hyundai engineers picked a more traditional solution, a torsion beam, with a relatively simple but quite comfortable setup.
The same thing is true with the brakes – modern at the front and more traditional at the back. More precisely, the front wheels come with 279mm ventilated discs, while the rear wheels are equipped with old-school drum brakes. Still, such a design doesn't compromise braking power, as everything works more than adequate.
Dimensions
The Hyundai Venue is designed as a small, urban crossover, so it’s no wonder it features modest dimensions. It measures just 2,520mm in wheelbase, while the total length goes up to 4,040 mm, which is 40mm shorter than the popular i30 hatchback. Width is 1,770mm wide and 1,592mm high, while the turning circle is around 10 metres. Although we are talking about a crossover, the ground clearance is just 170mm, while the kerb weight goes around 1.165kg.
Hyundai Venue Dimensions
- Wheelbase: 2520mm
- Length: 4040mm
- Height: 1592mm
- Width: 1770mm
- Ground clearance: 170mm
- Kerb weight: 1165kg
- Turning circle: 10.2m
- Rear track: 1565mm
- Front track: 1555mm
Interior
Despite the low starting price, the Hyundai Venue interior looks decent. As expected, many areas are covered with hard plastics and other cheap materials, both of which are typical for the segment. On the other hand, the dashboard looks nice, while everything feels very sturdy and durable. Also, all models come with a nice 8-inch infotainment display, offering sharp graphics and a relatively fast response.
The amount of passenger space is also surprisingly good. Even the second row can accommodate adult passengers, while the front seats are spacious and comfortable. On the other hand, count on the lack of side support, which is typical for a vehicle in this price range. The boot space goes around 351 litres, which is about average for a small SUV like this.
The second production year brought a new interior colour scheme. The 2021 Hyundai Venue Denim brought the company’s well-known Denim Blue colour to the offer. Both exterior and interior come in this paint. On the inside, you can find blue faux leather, while the steering wheels feature genuine leather, also with a Blue Denim treatment.
While most things seem good inside the Venue, sound insulation is one big issue. The car is very loud at higher speeds, as the noise comes from all directions – wind, tyres and engine.
Engine
The initial Hyundai Venue came with just one engine on the offer, which hasn't changed in the following years. The Australian version comes with a 1.6-litre inline-four, which doesn't feature turbo or any other kind of forced induction. Instead, it features a pretty simple design, which promises durability and low maintenance costs.
On the other hand, such a design brings relatively modest power figures. The engine puts out around 90kW and 151Nm of torque. The good thing is that you can choose between a 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmission, which both work well.
Models with manual transmission are slightly faster and offer slightly better fuel economy. For example, 0-100 km/h acceleration takes a little over 10 seconds, while models with automatic transmission take almost a second more. The top speed goes around 190 km/h in both cases.
Hyundai Venue Engine Specs
- Engine Capacity: 1591cc
- Number of cylinders: 4
- Fuel type: Regular Unleaded Petrol
- Maximum power: 90kW
- Maximum torque: 151Nm
- Transmission: 6-speed manual; 6-speed automatic
- Acceleration (0-100km/h): 10.2s (manual); 10.8s (automatic)
- Top Speed: 190 km/h
- Fuel consumption (combined): 7L/100km (manual); 7.2L/100km (automatic)
- Fuel tank capacity: 45 litres
Which Hyundai Venue variant is best?
The version for the Australian market comes in several grades, and even though more expensive models offer a little bit more standard equipment, there is no significant difference in the overall design and ride quality. All models use the same engine and feature the same suspension setup, so you can't go wrong with any of these.
The only dilemma in the case of Venue is the transmission choice. If you don’t necessarily need an automatic gearbox, we suggest you pick a version with a 6-speed manual. It is cheaper, faster and slightly more efficient.
Is Hyundai Venue suitable for a long drive?
Although it's not a cruiser, the Venue can do a long drive relatively well. However, if you do long drives regularly, you would probably want something with more comfortable seats, better sound insulation, a more powerful engine and a slightly more refined suspension setup. This crossover is primarily designed for urban conditions and daily commuting.
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