The Ford and the Maruti may well represent two opposite ends of the spectrum, but the balance of value-for-money and premiumness was changed once again after the entry of the Tata Nexon and more recently, the Mahindra XUV300.
Challenging Competition
The sub-4m SUV segment is still centred around value proposition, but growing competition has brought in more distinct characteristics for each contender. The change in the characteristics of these cars has also changed buyers’ decisions. If you require a small SUV that is not only family friendly but also spacious, cool, punchy and affordable, the Nexon might be in consideration. Do you seek something upmarket but still rugged and also fun to drive? The XUV300 ticks those boxes, maybe even better than the Ford. The Tata is also a likely candidate if you’re looking for an affordable automatic option in this segment.
Stance Factor
Appearances and proportions are key factors in this segment. The Venue looks impressive and well proportioned. It resembles a scaled down Creta in many aspects, namely the A-pillar, the flat roofline and even the thicker C-pillar design. With slightly flared wheel arches and well defined shoulder lines, the Venue also scores points for looking tough. However, it’s the flat bonnet and wide cascading grille that give it visual presence with just enough of the “square SUV” stance when seen head on. The Venue also features the latest Hyundai design trend with the projector headlamps on the bumper and LED DRLs acting as square bezels. The thin lighting elements seen just under the bonnet lid are the indicators. At the back, the taillamps are reminiscent of the Carlino concept and feature a boxy, squared off look with smooth edges.
However, the Venue’s proportions are lacklustre on paper. It’s narrower than most of its rivals, the shortest among them and the wheelbase isn’t the longest in the class either. The XUV is the widest with the longest wheelbase, while the EcoSport is the narrowest and tallest in the segment.
Space For Everyone
The dimensions don’t do justice to the Venue as we found the sense of space inside the cabin to be one of its main highlights. Even though it’s the second-narrowest car in the segment, its second row will accommodate three occupants with reasonable comfort. The large windows give it an enhanced sense of airiness while the upright stance also opens up sufficient legroom and headroom for taller occupants as well. There is plenty of underthigh support too in the second row. The US-spec Venue lists a boot space of 530 litres, so expect a similar segment-leading figure for the India-spec model too, though it is not yet announced.
Look & Finish
As expected of a Hyundai, the Venue offers an impressive sense of quality which is on par if not better than what the Creta offers. However, the modern and trendy vibes don’t make it through to the inside as it features a relatively conservative cabin design. In terms of practicality too, it does get an open shelf above the glove compartment, but the Venue could have had better storage space in the door pockets.
Feature Checklist
In terms of bringing segment-first features to shake things up in the segment, the Venue is very unlike Hyundai. Earlier rumours had pegged ventilated seats to be a given but they haven’t made the final cut. It does get wireless phone charging and projector fog lamps, but the headlamps are projector units too instead of LEDs. Even the sleek turn indicators use conventional bulb-type elements. The 16-inch alloys look nice, but aren’t particularly exciting.
Admittedly, as a late entrant to the segment, matching what the rivals are offering is no easy task. Hyundai has also equipped the Venue with an electric sunroof, cruise control, six airbags, ISOFIX mounts, hill start assist and vehicle stability management too. It even gets rear AC vents and static cornering lamps. But that’s still not enough to give the Venue an edge and that’s mainly down to what the Mahindra XUV300 has brought to the table in 2019.
The XUV300’s plush cabin comes with leatherette seats and dual-zone climate control and its safer too with an extra knee-airbag for the driver. It also gets front parking sensors, steering modes, all disc brakes and heated ORVMs over the Venue. Meanwhile, other competitors also offer features like rain-sensing wipers and auto-dimming IRVM.
Connected Technology - A Deciding Factor?
Four years ago, perhaps, but not in 2019. The added convenience and safety through connected car technology is still not a deciding factor for buyers. Especially since many of the functionalities being offered were already available via OBD2-based devices and services offered by manufacturers for some years now. Even the e-SIM has restricted capabilities as it’s locked to an IP which can only be used to communicate for vehicle services. Even the SOS feature is something that Ford already offers.
Under the Bonnet
Hyundai will be offering the Venue with three engines but we haven’t driven any of them yet. The powertrain options include those offered on the i20: a 1.2-litre petrol mated to a 5-speed MT and a 1.4-litre diesel with a 6-speed MT. The base-spec petrol models will likely be powered by the 1.2-litre Kappa engine which falls drastically short of the base-spec petrol engines offered in the XUV300 and EcoSport. The Venue’s naturally-aspirated 83PS engine seems underwhelming in the face of the turbocharged outputs of 110PS (Nexon and XUV300) and 123PS (EcoSport). Sure, the underpowered engine may be the frugal choice, but Hyundai is bringing their own turbo-charged engine too for enthusiasts. The third, top-spec powertrain uses a three-cylinder, 1.0-litre engine mated to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission producing 120PS.
The 90PS 1.4-litre diesel engine doesn’t improve the Venue’s power rankings either as nearly all of the competition has a higher output. At the top sits the XUV300 (115PS), then the Nexon (110PS), followed by the EcoSport (100PS) and the Brezza (90PS) tying with the Venue at the bottom.
What’s it Worth?
The prices for the Venue aren’t available yet with the launch slated for 21 May 2019. In the sub-compact SUV segment, the Nexon sets the entry-level benchmark with a starting price of Rs 6.49 lakh for its three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine variant. The Hyundai Elite i20 that uses the same 1.2-litre petrol drivetrain has a starting price of Rs 5.5 lakh which could be an indication of the Venue’s starting price. The starting prices of the premium end, the petrol-powered Mahindra XUV300 and Ford EcoSport, are just under Rs 8 lakh (All prices ex-showroom Delhi).
Added Benefits?
The Venue will be offered with a 3-year unlimited mileage and 3-year road-side assistance package as standard, making it the best in the segment. Mahindra has the next-best standard package with a 2-year unlimited kilometre warranty for the XUV300. The EcoSport comes with a 2-year/1 lakh-kilometre warranty as standard, while Tata only offers a 2-year/70,000km warranty for the Nexon. Maruti has the least to offer in this matter as the Brezza only gets a 2-year/40,000km warranty. However, all manufacturers offer extended warranty options.
Early Verdict?
With the prices still unknown, it’s hard to pass a verdict on where the Hyundai Venue fits in the sub-4 metre SUV segment. However, what we can determine from our experience so far is that it offers a practical and appealing balance between various needs and wants of the Indian car buyers. Hyundai’s reputation for peace of mind products adds to the appeal of the Venue. If the prices are as sensible as the product, this new sub-4m SUV would be a logical choice in this segment full of strong characters.