First Drive Review: MY22 Hyundai Venue brings on the bling!
The Venue has proven to be a huge sales hit for Hyundai, and the Korean automaker has now released a facelifted model for 2022, three years after its initial launch. We attended the launch in the Swartland area of the Western Cape.
The Hyundai Venue has been making a name for itself ever since it first appeared locally in 2019. With the upgraded new model, Hyundai is confident that the Venue is going to give competitors like the VW T-Cross and Toyota Urban Cruiser a run for their money. Since the beginning of 2022, 5215 Venues have been sold, vs. 7021 T-Cross models and a whopping 10 627 Urban Cruisers, making the Venue the third-bestselling model in its segment, at present.
Styling
Who knew that the Hyundai Venue was so hugely popular among the ladies, especially single ones? This came as quite a surprise during the presentation, although most women these days do prefer a spot of SUV styling and raised ride height. It's just so much more practical than a low-slung sedan or hatch.
I suspect that Hyundai gave the front end of the Venue a more glamorous front end to be even more appealing to the fairer sex, yet it doesn't look feminine at all. (Seen below is the Fluid derivative.)
The new rectangular chrome grille and narrower, swept-back DRLs with square LED daytime running lamps around the headlight housing below, add the necessary pizzazz. The new N Line flagship model (below) which replaces the Glide derivative has a more subtle-looking grille and is the more masculine choice.
Around the back, the wow factor has been upped as a thin light bar now joins the two tail lamps together for a sexy rear view, while a split front and rear skid plate (N Line) and rear fog lamps on the outer edges make the Venue look beefier and its stance, wider. The Fluid (pictured below) and N Line models (above) also have roof racks, while the N Line features a contrasting black roof with a sunroof - a first for the Venue range.
Viewed from the side, the Venue's profile is mostly unchanged, but the new alloy wheels on the Fluid and N Line model look fantastic. The 1.2 Motion and 1.0-litre turbo Motion model have to make do with styled covers or hubcaps.
Interior
There were only two models available for media to drive: The flagship N Line model which replaces the outgoing Glide derivative, and the Fluid auto with its smooth-shifting DCT gearbox. It was first come, first served, and by the time we headed outside after the business presentation, the N Line models were all spoken for. We hopped into a red Fluid model, scanned the destination barcode into Google Maps which was then displayed on the central touchscreen, and off we went.
My co-pilot drove the first stint from Century City in Cape Town all the way through the Swartland and back towards Paarl, which afforded me the opportunity to give the enhanced interior a proper look, and found it very agreeable. Build quality's very good, with the only hard scratchy plastics being the bit below the steering wheel.
Related: Ford EcoSport vs VW T-Cross vs Hyundai Venue - best infotainment
The 8-inch touchscreen's placement is perfect, the USB ports are plentiful, and rear passengers also have rear air vents at their disposal (in all models except the 1.2-litre, naturally-aspirated entry-level Motion model). When we stopped for a driver change, I also opened the boot to reacquaint myself with its dimensions. Apart from the high loading lip, it's a practical space that will cart along the nuclear family's daily belongings with ease.
Highlights that Motion buyers can look forward to include the same 8-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the abovementioned 2 C-USB ports for the rear passengers, a rearview camera and rear park distance control, keyless entry, and the new digital dashboard that looks very upmarket, as well as rear air vents to keep the second-row occupants as cool as cucumbers.
Related: Everything you need to know about the Hyundai Venue
N Line models have the whole nine years, including mood lighting, a leather steering wheel, red accents, a drive mode selector, aluminium pedals, cruise control, and black vinyl seats with red edging as well as N Line badging and the aforementioned sunroof. The driver's seat is also electrically adjustable.
All models (except the Venue 1.2 Motion) have hill-start assist and stability control. Fluid and N Line models have 6 airbags as well as LED lights with a static bending function. Motion models have 2 airbags.
Driving the upgraded Venue
As I've previously mentioned, the Venue has only been facelifted, so from a power and performance perspective, nothing has changed. But is it my imagination, or is the Venue a lot quieter inside than it used to be?
As always, it's quite a comfortable drive on dirt, gravel, and tar, but felt a little hard over the corrugated surfaces along our launch route. Flatten your foot on the smooth tarmac, however, and the 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder TGDI turbo with 88kW and 172 Nm springs to life (albeit with a bit of lag, which is to be expected) and there's sufficient oomph for confident overtaking manoeuvres. The squarely-shaped Venue is as easy to drive as ever, and is pleasant to pilot, even if it doesn't exactly feel as sporty as the streamlined Mazda CX-3, but the Venue's light steering is part of its charm and certainly helps when you're navigating tight city spaces.
Verdict
Hyundai's latest Venue has all the right ingredients for success. Watch this space for the full review of the facelifted Hyundai Venue.
Pricing
Venue 1.2 MPI Motion MT (61kW) R294 900
Venue 1.0 TGDI Motion MT R354 900
Venue 1.0 TGDI Fluid MT R389 900
Venue 1.0 TGDI Motion DCT R394 900
Venue 1.0 TGDI Fluid DCT R429 900
Venue 1.0 TGDI N-Line DCT R449 900
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