Hyundai has finally unveiled its compact SUV, the Hyundai Venue. The Hyundai Venue is a subcompact SUV that will compete with the Maruti Vitara Brezza, Mahindra XUV300 and Ford EcoSport among others.
The Hyundai Venue makes its global debut at the 2019 New York Auto Show, while simultaneously it was unveiled to Indian media on board a cruise ship. Interesting choice of venue – the puns are always going to come fast and easy on this one.
That said, the Hyundai Venue debuts many firsts for the carmaker. The design language gets a bump up, with the grille getting bolder, while the trend of DRLs moving higher and headlamps lower in the front gets carried on. This is likely to trickle to other Hyundai vehicles also.
The vehicle is also the first in the Hyundai range to sport its new "Bluelink" connected car system, that has 33 connectivity features. These range from geo-fencing to navigation and even controlling some car functions like air-conditioning, locking and lights remotely.
The Venue is sub-4 metres in length and hence falls in a lower tax bracket. It measures 3,995 mm in length and is 1.6 metres tall, with a wheelbase of 2,500 mm. That’s almost identical in size to the Maruti Vitara Brezza.
The Hyundai Venue is likely to be offered with a choice of three powertrain combinations. It will get a 1-litre turbocharged petrol engine that puts out 118 bhp of power and 172 Nm of torque, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT), or a choice of a six-speed manual gearbox.
It also gets naturally aspirated 1.2 litre petrol motor that puts out 82 bhp of power and 114 Nm of torque (the same as the Hyundai i20). This will have a five-speed manual gearbox only and is likely to power the lower variants of the Venue.
And then there's a 1.4 litre diesel engine that puts out 89 bhp of power and 220 Nm of torque (again the same as the Hyundai i20), with a six-speed manual gearbox.
The top-spec Hyundai Venue will get six airbags, hill hold, stability control and more. Comfort and convenience features include a sun-roof, cruise control, rear AC vents, cooled glove box, wireless phone charging and an Arkamys sound system among others.
The bookings for the Hyundai Venue have opened. Prices will be announced on 21 May and deliveries start soon after.
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