IS VENUE VERITABLY NEW?

CE examines the extent to which the Hyundai Venue has transformed after its recent generation shift

- LEKSHMI C PILLAI

HYUNDAI Venue has been a top pick in the sub-4-metre SUV market since its introduction in 2019. After timely upgrades over the years, the company has now gone for a full generation change.

A few days ago, I test-drove the new Venue N Line in Goa, and experienced the differences it offers over the outgoing model. The new Venue comes with three engine options: a 1.2-litre petrol, a 1-litre turbo-petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel. All are available in multiple variants, but the sportier N Line variants are offered exclusively with the turbo-petrol engine.

The exterior

There are notable visual differences between the Venue and the Venue N Line, though mechanically they are identical. Let's meet the standard Venue first. The exterior looks fresh, in line with Hyundai's latest design language. There is no excess chrome. Instead, the grille and bumper feature a digital-era design.

Moustache-like DRLs flank LED headlamp units, and the lower half of the bumper is styled to resemble a skid plate. On the sides, the wheel arches get prominent plastic cladding, and a newly designed C-pillar with quarter glass and an insert adds character.

At the rear, a quasi skid-plate has been added, and the tail-lamps are connected by a light strip. A pair of reversing lamps sit at the bottom of the bumper.