HYUNDAI VENUE

The Venue was a best-seller for Hyundai until it started showing its age. Now comes the new generation version with a lot of promises

- RAHUL GHOSH

About six years ago, Hyundai introduced the Venue in India — and it was a runaway success.

The compact SUV consistently ranked among the country's top ten bestselling cars, a testament to its popularity and strong appeal. Now, with the competition heating up, Hyundai has decided it's time for a major update.

The new Hyundai Venue debuts with a completely fresh design, making it look noticeably different from the outgoing model. The smooth, rounded lines of the previous version have been replaced by sharper creases and flared wheel arches, giving the SUV a more muscular stance. Up front, the Tucson-inspired fascia stands out, with prominent LED DRLs and sleek LED headlamps flanking a dark chrome radiator grille. A closer look reveals a front camera, a new addition made possible by the inclusion of ADAS.

The 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels fill the arches well, though their aero-inspired design might divide opinions, as it resembles the wheels typically seen on EVs. In profile, the revised D-pillar and dark chrome door handles add a touch of sophistication. At the rear, connected LED tail lamps stretch across the width, while a large skid plate adds some contrast, though it feels a bit oversized for the Venue's proportions.

In terms of dimensions, the Venue is now taller and wider, while overall length remains unchanged to comply with India's sub-4-metre regulations. However, Hyundai has stretched the wheelbase, translating into a roomier cabin and improved interior space.