Hyundai Venue Review: A Pleasantly Surprising and Competing Contender against Toyota Raize and Kia Sonet

The Hyundai Venue offers a decent range of features, albeit lacking the safety technology found in the Toyota Raize. Nevertheless, it presents great value for its suggested retail price.

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Contrary to the previous information provided by the agency, TC Motor introduced a new product for the A-segment SUV segment on December 16, 2023 – the Hyundai Venue. This car is locally assembled and comes in 2 versions, with a proposed retail price ranging from 539 million VND to 579 million VND.

With its competitive pricing, the Hyundai Venue has quickly drawn the attention of users. The price of the Venue is comparable to its competitors. The standard version of this “rookie” is even cheaper than the Toyota Raize (552 million VND), while the Special version is only 5 million VND more expensive than the Kia Sonet (519 – 574 million VND).

The Hyundai Venue was first introduced globally in 2019 and the version sold in Vietnam has undergone upgrades throughout its lifecycle.

So, what sets the Hyundai Venue apart? Is it a worthwhile choice for those looking to buy an A-segment SUV? Let’s explore these questions in this article.

Eye-catching Exterior, “Mini Palisade” Style

The exterior design of the Hyundai Venue resembles a miniature version of its big brother, the Palisade. It features a large rectangular Cascading Grille that seamlessly connects with the turn signal.

The Special version of the car is equipped with Projector LED headlights that have an automatic on/off function and are surrounded by LED daytime running lights.

Regardless of the version, the Hyundai Venue comes with 16-inch alloy wheels fitted with 215/60R16 tires.

The car’s rearview mirror features power adjustment/folding function but doesn’t include a 360-degree camera.

The Hyundai Venue shares the same platform as the Kia Sonet. It has overall dimensions of 3,995 x 1,770 x 1,645 mm, making it slightly shorter than the Sonet and Raize.

The rear light cluster of the car features LED bulbs that are connected to the tailgate LED strip, creating an “H” shape.

In addition to the headlights, the Special version of the Hyundai Venue is equipped with roof rails and a sunroof.

Simplistic Interior, Modest yet Impressive

The overall interior design of the Hyundai Venue is simple and functional, typical of affordable cars.

The steering wheel in the Special version is wrapped in leather and comes with integrated buttons for various functions.

Behind the steering wheel, there is a digital instrument cluster with a customizable interface that adapts to different driving modes.

The car comes with an entertainment screen that supports Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity and features Vietnamese maps. However, the screen size is the smallest in its class, measuring only 8 inches.

The Hyundai Venue offers sufficient convenience features, 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 ordinary, and the handbrake remains traditional, but they provide a smooth and user-friendly experience, especially for women.

The seats in the Special version of the Hyundai Venue are upholstered in a combination of leather and fabric materials.

The mirror control panel and driver-side window controls are conveniently located.

The second-row air vents are equipped with 2 USB-C ports underneath.

The second-row seats have 2 headrests and armrests. The seating space is not overly spacious due to the car’s overall length of 2,500 mm, but the backrest of the seat is deeply reclined, ensuring a comfortable ride during long journeys.

The sunroof of the Hyundai Venue can only be opened manually.

More Exciting Performance than Competitors, with Some Drawbacks

Under the hood, the Hyundai Venue is powered by a 1.0L turbocharged 3-cylinder gasoline engine that delivers a maximum power of 118 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and a peak torque of 172 Nm at 1,500-4,000 rpm. The car is equipped with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and is front-wheel drive regardless of the version.

In terms of specifications, the Hyundai Venue offers the highest power output in its segment. The Toyota Raize and Kia Sonet deliver 98 horsepower and 113 horsepower, respectively.

In real-life driving scenarios, the Hyundai Venue offers a surprising and enjoyable driving experience. The throttle response is sensitive, the engine exhibits good pulling power even with a full load, and the steering wheel is appropriately weighted and responsive during sharp turns – a departure from the typical perception of Korean cars.

One drawback of the car is the noise insulation. Engine noise easily enters the cabin, causing discomfort during long drives.

The suspension system of the Hyundai Venue works effectively, quickly absorbing large bumps. During sharp turns in the slalom test, the body of the car may sway initially but quickly stabilizes.

Conclusion

In summary, the Hyundai Venue is a compelling choice for those seeking a new option in the A-segment SUV segment. The safety equipment of this “rookie” is on par with the Kia Sonet, offering features such as ABS/EBD/BA, electronic stability control, hill-start assist, tire pressure monitoring, rearview camera, and 6 airbags. However, it falls short of the Toyota Raize, which stands out with front sensors, blind-spot warning, and cross-traffic warning when reversing.

Nevertheless, superior safety technology doesn’t necessarily guarantee popularity among users. From January to November 2023, Raize only sold 4,234 units, while the Kia Sonet achieved sales of 10,012 units.

The Hyundai Venue is expected to attract Vietnamese customers with its appealing design and competitive pricing.

One of the reasons behind the success of the Sonet is its pricing, with a lower starting price than the Raize. Similarly, the Venue’s starting price is higher than the Sonet by 20 million VND, but it remains more affordable than the Raize, making it an attractive option. Additionally, the Venue boasts the most powerful engine in its segment, which would appeal to users who value a dynamic driving experience.

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