Unlike the previous information from the agency, the new product for the A-segment SUV segment introduced by TC Motor on December 16, 2023 is the Hyundai Venue. The car is assembled domestically with 2 versions with a proposed retail price starting from 539 million VND and a maximum of 579 million VND.
This surprising appearance has attracted the attention of users, especially when the price of the Venue is not much different from its competitors. Specifically, the standard version of this “rookie” is still cheaper than the Toyota Raize (552 million VND) and the Special version is only 5 million VND higher than the Kia Sonet (519 – 574 million VND).
Hyundai Venue was first introduced globally in 2019. The car sold in Vietnam belongs to the upgraded version in the lifecycle.
So what’s special about Hyundai Venue? Is this a new choice worth considering for users who need to buy an A-segment SUV? Let’s find out through this article.
Eye-catching exterior, “mini Palisade” style
The exterior design of the Hyundai Venue is like a mini version of the “big brother” Palisade, featuring a large rectangular Cascading Grille, connected to the turn signal.
In the Special version, the car is equipped with Projector LED headlights with automatic on/off function, surrounded by LED daytime running lights.
Regardless of the version, the Hyundai Venue is equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels with 215/60R16 tires.
The rearview mirror has power adjustment/folding function, without a 360-degree camera.
The Hyundai Venue shares the same platform as the Kia Sonet. The overall dimensions of the car are 3,995 x 1,770 x 1,645 mm, slightly shorter than the Sonet and Raize.
The rear light cluster uses LED bulbs connected to the tailgate LED strip, creating an “H” shape.
In addition to the headlights, the Special version of Venue will have more features such as roof rails and a sunroof.
Simplistic interior, not overly impressive
The overall interior of the Hyundai Venue is not too eye-catching, typical of affordable cars.
The steering wheel in the Special version is wrapped in leather, fully integrated with adjustment buttons for various functions.
Behind it is a digital instrument cluster with customizable interface based on driving mode.
The car’s entertainment screen has Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity and Vietnamese maps, but it is the smallest size in the segment, only 8 inches.
The convenience features are sufficient, including: automatic 1-zone air conditioning, manual seat adjustment, 6 speakers, remote start, cruise control, speed limiter, and USB-C ports for both rows of seats.
The gear lever is not special, the handbrake is still a traditional type but the experience is smooth and user-friendly, especially for women.
The seats in the Special version of the Hyundai Venue are wrapped in leather and fabric.
The mirror control panel and driver-side window controls.
The second-row air vents have 2 USB-C ports underneath.
The second-row seats have only 2 headrests but with armrests. The seating space is not too spacious due to the overall length of 2,500 mm, but the backrest of the seat is deeply reclined, promising a comfortable feeling for passengers on long journeys.
The sunroof of the Hyundai Venue can only be manually opened.
More exciting performance than competitors, but still some drawbacks
Under the hood of the Hyundai Venue is a 1.0L turbocharged 3-cylinder gasoline engine, producing a maximum power of 118 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and a peak torque of 172 Nm at 1,500-4,000 rpm. Regardless of the version, the car uses a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and front-wheel drive.
In terms of specifications, the Hyundai Venue is the most powerful in the segment. The power of the Toyota Raize and Kia Sonet is 98 horsepower and 113 horsepower, respectively.
In real-world driving, the Hyundai Venue surprises with its driving experience. The throttle response is sensitive, the engine has good pulling power even when fully loaded, the steering wheel is appropriately weighted and responsive in sharp turns, different from the usual perceptions of Korean cars.
One drawback is the noise insulation of the car, engine noise easily enters the cabin, causing discomfort on long journeys.
The suspension system of the car works effectively, quickly damping large bumps. In sharp turns during the slalom test, the body still sways but quickly stabilizes.
Conclusion
In general, the Hyundai Venue will be a worthy choice for users who are looking for something new in the A-segment SUV segment. The safety equipment of this “rookie” is on par with the Kia Sonet with ABS/EBD/BA, electronic stability control, hill-start assist, tire pressure monitoring, rearview camera, and 6 airbags; but not as much as the Toyota Raize (which stands out with front sensors, blind-spot warning, and cross-traffic warning when reversing).
However, the truth shows that not every car with superior safety technology will be popular with users. From the beginning of 2023 to the end of November 2023, the cumulative sales of Raize only reached 4,234 units, while the Kia Sonet sold up to 10,012 units.
Hyundai Venue will attract Vietnamese customers thanks to its design and price.
The success of Sonet comes from its price when it has a lower starting price than Raize. Similarly, the starting price of Venue is higher than Sonet by 20 million VND, but it is still more accessible than Raize, promising to attract customers. Not to mention, this car has the most powerful engine in the segment, promising to attract users who value the driving experience.
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