Small footprint, big stature

POSSIBLY THE ONLY COMPACT SUV THAT DOESN’T LOOK COMPACT — IT’S POWERED BY PETROL, TURBO-PETROL, DIESEL, AND NVIDIA

- VIKRAM CHAUDHARY

HAVE YOU SEEN the Palisade, the biggest SUV made by Hyundai? The newVenuelookslikea smaller version of that — and has grown from beinga ‘baby Creta’toa ‘baby Palisade’. We tested it fora day on Goa’s highways, rural roads,rocky terrain, and even near the sea.

What it is?

First launched in 2019, the Venue is India’s first ‘connected car’. The 2025 model has grown in size, and is 48 mm taller, 30 mmwider,and has 20 mm longer wheelbase (now 2,520 mm), giving it a‘big SUV road presence’.

How’s the design?

Its jewel-type grille stands out, and its thin split headlamps and horizontal design lines make it look wider than it actually is. The rear gets connected lights — nowa feature in most cars.

And the cabin?