For the 2022 model year, the Hyundai Venue is back with a bang thanks to its slew of new updates. Hyundai claims to have made more than 40 changes to the erstwhile Venue which makes truly makes us say that it is more than just a mere facelift! Now, we take a look at some of the key observations from our first drive of the compact SUV:
Design
The Venue facelift features a redesigned front fascia which is more in line with Hyundai’s larger SUVs like the Tucson and Palisade. The older grille has been replaced by a square parametric grille which is finished in chrome. The projector headlamps are placed on the lower part of the bumper just like before with the LED DRLs integrated into them. Interestingly, the facelifted Venue doesn’t get fog lamps, unlike the pre-facelift version.
The turn indicators now get a split design. The side doesn’t see any major changes except the new 16-inch alloy wheels which look smashing. The rear gets a completely new look thanks to the horizontal LED taillights which are connected by a thin LED strip. The reversing light is placed lower down and is stacked vertically with the reflector. Other details include silver skid plates for the front and rear, a shark fin antenna, and an electric sunroof. Overall, Hyundai has put in a lot of effort to make the Venue look fresh and attractive.
Also read: Hyundai Venue Facelift Vs Kia Sonet: Pros And Cons
Interior
The overall layout of the interiors is similar to the outgoing Venue. The interior gets a new white and black theme with new upholstery for the seats. The driver’s seat now comes with a 4-way electric adjustment which is a first in the segment. The familiar 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system has been updated and now it comes with acoustic Sounds of Nature and a valet mode.
One quirk of the infotainment system is that it gets wireless smartphone connectivity in the lower variants whereas the higher variants require a USB to connect your phone. However, it is still the most feature-loaded infotainment system in its class and it also has the fastest response to voice commands thanks to integrated functions. The Bluelink connected car technology offers 60+ features and Over-the-Air (OTA) updates. The Venue facelift also comes with Home to Car with Alexa and Google Voice Assistant wherein users can check the vehicle status and control multiple remote functions from the comfort of their home.
The Venue facelift is also the first compact SUV to get a fully digital instrument cluster. It gets Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes which also changes the theme of the instrument cluster. Hyundai has also improved the rear-seat comfort by adding a 2 step recline function. Pair this with scooped-out front seat backs and extended under-thigh support and you have the best back seat in the sub-4 meter segment. The air purifier which has been neatly integrated into the driver’s center armrest is a big plus for large metro cities. Other features include remote start/stop, USB C- type fast charging ports, puddle lamps, ambient lighting, cruise control, keyless entry with push-button start/stop, automatic climate control, projector headlamps, an electric sunroof, and wireless phone charging.
Driving
The Venue facelift continues to offer the same powertrain options as before. The naturally aspirated 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine churns out 83ps and 114nm of torque. It is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. The 1.5-liter diesel churns out 100ps and 250nm of torque mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. The turbocharged 1.0-liter 3-cylinder petrol engine produces 120ps and 172nm of torque. It gets the option of a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, and a 6-speed iMT. We got our hands on the turbo petrol DCT and iMT which offer the perfect combination of convenience and performance.
The familiar turbo petrol engine remains as refined as ever and it is hard to tell that it is a three-cylinder! The second-generation DCT is now smoother with barely noticeable shifts. Pair this with the paddle shifters and you will have a blast behind the wheel. The unique driving modes also change the characteristics of the engine and transmission to suit your needs. The iMT remains as good as before and it helps in extracting more efficiency out of the engine. The handling remains good as well and the suspension has been tuned to offer the best comfort in its class.
Which variant and powertrain to go for?
The Venue facelift has something for everyone when it comes to variants, options, and powertrains. In terms of the turbo petrol engine, the DCT offers more fun thanks to the drive modes and the paddle shifters. However, the iMT delivers higher fuel efficiency while also saving you some money over the DCT. Confused about the variant-wise features? Head over to our comprehensive guide for the same!
What could have been done better?
Though the Venue facelift excels on the majority of the parameters, there are a few things that could have been done better. For example, it loses out on some features such as front fog lamps, auto-dimming IRVM, and ventilated seats which the competition offers. It also misses out on the option of diesel automatic, unlike the Kia Sonet.