AVenue of Smooth
The Hyundai Venue, breaks from the direction most of their cars seem to be headed. A rather upright-looking compact crossover, in a time where crossovers have begun to look increasingly like raised four-doored coupes, or simply more sporty.
Hyundai has been on a roll of late. Cars like the 1.4 litre turbocharged i30 compact hatchback present serious competition to the iconic Mk 7 Volkswagen Golf, by offering a suspiciously similarly specced car on paper. Their hot i30N model had also caught our attention, with its sublime handling and performance.
The Korean brand had been long-associated with affordable econoboxes which were popular with the price-conscious customer… which can be a little garden variety. Their new model offensive, now having lean on performance, coupled with bolder design cues, is certainly something which is welcome.
The Hyundai Venue on the other hand, breaks from the direction most of their cars seem to be headed. A rather upright-looking compact crossover, in a time where crossovers have begun to look increasingly like raised four-doored coupes, or simply more sporty.
However, you have to give it to the Korean brand for introducing a car which is rather bold. From its stacked headlights, which was first seen in their Kona and Santa Fe cars, to its boxy styling and coloured accents which compliments its 2-tone paint job, and snazzy lenticular tail lights. There is a youthful-yet relaxed vibe the Venue presents itself with.
While it is difficult to get away from heaps of plastic, especially when it comes to entry level cars, Hyundai has put in a good effort with the Venue. Our higher-spec ‘S’ model test car features a two-tone dash, and frosted metallic accents. Panel fit is good, though some glossy bits of plastic here and there do still seem a little lumpy.
Between the central air-conditioning ducts, an 8” infotainment screen sits proud, which supports Bluetooth connectivity, and is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Our ‘S’ trim test car is also fitted with Denim-inspired seats, which is quite a welcome breakaway from the norm of half-legit and half-faux leather or the usual upholstery fabric that we have become accustomed to. In-fact, I do quite like how comfortable the seat fabric is.
The Venue offers decent accomodation for four-and-a-half occupants, and the boot equally decent cargo-carrying capacity, with 355 litres available. It also features an adjustable dual level luggage board and a cargo cover that easily slips forward and down, behind the rear seats, just in-case you need that added height in a jiffy.
Interestingly, bucking the tendency for brands to choose a smaller engine, and go turbocharged like its sister car, the KIA Stonic, with its 3-cylinder 1.0, or the solidly-built SEAT Arona with a similar setup, the Hyundai Venue on the other hand relies on a natural-breathing 1.6 litre engine, good for 121bhp and 154Nm.
Their new Smart Stream engine features Hyundai’s all-new Continuously Variable Valve Duration (CVVD) technology. While most modern engines can control valve timing and lift, the control of the duration of how long the valves stay open on the Venue, improves on delivery of power, engine efficiency (16.9km/l in combined cycle) and more importantly, is intended to further reduce emissions.
Instead of pairing a quick-shifting Dual-Clutch Transmission to this engine, like in the 1.4 litre i30, product developers have instead opted for their new Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT), or more commonly known as a CVT. As with most belt-driven transmissions, taking off from the lights would hardly be exciting. The Venue however accelerates smoothly and delivers any forward motion without struggle; pleasantly coaxing itself into 100km/h in all of 11.2 seconds. With its suspension built to deliver comfort, the Hyundai Venue delivers impressively refined ride quality, even with its relatively short 2,520mm wheelbase.
No prizes for figuring out that this compact Hyundai is built for a relaxing drive, rather than a spirited one. That said, the Venue does have an element of play, indulging you with a quirky Drive and Traction selector, where you can select between SPORT, ECO, NORMAL modes with a twist of a quirky selector knob. It switches over to function as a 2WD Multi traction control selector when depressed, allowing you to drive in SNOW, MUD and even SAND(y) surfaces... Not that we would have any snow here, and you’d hardly need to fiddle or thumb your knob for added grip in most situations.
Adding to an already well-packaged car, the ‘S’ trim Venue is also equipped with cruise control, static turn illuminators, LED Daytime Running Lights, nifty two-tone paintwork and larger 205/55R17 wheels.
If you are not one of those who thinks a spirited drive is a “must-have”, even in an attainable compact; the Hyundai Venue offers a comfortable alternative, delivering a refined linear experience.
Find out more about the Hyundai Venue on Carousell!
#Hyundai #Crossover #SUV #Singapore #SG #Autos #Cars #Roadtest #SmartStream #Testdrive #Korean #CarReview
Credits: Words and Photos by Clifford Chow
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