Text by Avant Shrestha
Hyundai has established itself in the Nepali auto market in almost every segment. With the launch of the new innovative Hyundai Venue by Laxmi Intercontinental, the sole authorised distributor for Hyundai automobiles in Nepal, the brand has added a strong representative in the compact SUV segment as well.
The Hyundai Venue aims to convey a functional design in a versatile and modern compact SUV. Referring to the daily congestion in the form of the city’s traffic and sporadic potholes littered all around the road, Venue is built for the urban lifestyle and exhumes the potential to be a great entry level vehicle for many.
Exteriors
The design of the Venue reveals small but confident body forms delivering a new interpretation of Hyundai’s signature design language. The Hyundai Venue is not conventionally a very tall car but it has good ground clearance which is ideal for Nepal’s urban landscape. The Venue measures 3995 mm in length, 1770mm in width and 1590 mm in height, while the wheelbase is 2500 mm.
From the exterior point of view, the closest comparison of the Venue can be its predecessor Hyundai Creta. In fact the latest Hyundai model looks like a tone down version of Creta; large enough to stamp your authority on the road but at the same time nimble enough to offer a smooth and comfortable drive.
In the exterior design, the first thing that strikes you is the front that has bold dark front grille that consists of a huge Hyundai logo separating the chrome-lined mesh holding the two tier headlamps. The rear has an upright stance standard Hyundai stance but despite its similarities to other Hyundai vehicles, it looks very appealing.
Observing the side profile of the vehicle, the Venue presents a solid and full volume wheel arch and strong character line. This unique character line continues through to the tail lamps. And finally, the Venue cruises with striking 17-inch alloy wheels along with 15-inch standard wheels.
Interiors
On the inside, the vehicle looks well thought out and neatly designed. The interior welcomes the driver and the passengers in dual-tone colours.
While there is nothing fancy about the looks of the steering wheel, the functionality is something else. The Venue’s handling feels good, seamless in the turning and smooth for the occasional surprises in the form of potholes.
Overall, the interior features are comfortable with ample headspace. The back seat however could have done better with more leg-space.
The infotainment system is a standard unit we have come to expect in modern vehicles. Venue comes with a high-set 8.0-inch touch screen between a pair of air con vents, a string of shortcut keys below it. Unfortunately, the Nepali market will not get the host of brilliant features that the international and the Indian market will have the pleasure of experiencing such as the Hyundai’s Blue Link Connectivity Technology among other 33 features that span safety, security, vehicle management, remote access, location-based services, alert services, and AI-based language inputs.
Engine & Drive
The new Hyundai Venue is available in three different variants. The 1.2L petrol engine Kappa Dual VTVT Technology gives off the total displacement of 1197cc with the max power of 83 bhp and 115 Nm of torque. The 1.4L Diesel engine U2 CRDi with 90 bhp and 220 Nm of torque. And lastly, the more powerful 1.0L Turbo Petrol engines Kappa Dual VTVT Technology offers max power of 120 bhp and 172 Nm of torque. The total displacement of 1.4L Diesel and 1.0L Turbo Petrol is 1396 and 998cc respectively.
As far as transmissions go, the 1.2 will be mated to a 5-speed manual, the 1.4 diesel will be mated to a 6-speed manual and the 1.0 turbo can be had in a 6-speed manual as well as a 7-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox.
Out on the road, the gearshift is sleek and effortless. The steering of the car is smooth on open roads and turns, and it feels seamless weaving around the traffic. The suspension is very good and the car feels stable on rough corners of the road.
The engine is very good in terms of responsiveness. If one is looking for a sudden burst of power and speed, this car will not make you happy but given the city traffic, it’s the practicality and functionality of the Venue that scores. The vehicle gives the driver consistent delivery of power that continues to build up as one drives.
Verdict
The Venue is priced at an affordable mid 30 lakhs that might increase up to 40 lakhs and decrease based on different variants of the vehicle. The vehicle comes in seven exciting colors such as: Stardust, Polar White, Typhoon Silver, Lava Orange, Denim Blue, Fiery Red and Deep Forest.
With a 45-liter fuel tank, the vehicle is very reliable, comfortable and is convenient with the added bonus of fuel economy. Under the hood, the Venue is made to exceed expectations and on the outside it is crafted to turn heads.
