I’m not a big fan of SUVs of all stripes, especially ones that are closer in size to school buses than regular cars. The case of Hyundai’s Venue, which calls itself a Sport Utility Vehicle, is different.
Collaboration William Bouchard, Automotive Journalist
Different on the one hand because its dimensions are definitely more reasonable. And different also because it comes in a price range that makes it accessible to anyone who needs a small, practical vehicle, but doesn’t want to bother with a mortgage to achieve it.
Basically, if the Venue has qualities and faults – don’t we all have them – it also has a personality and a mission that differentiates it from the others, becoming a smart choice for those with rational mobility.
A fun silhouette
It is true that the Venue is small in size. From its height of 1.5 meters, and barely 4 meters in length, it has nothing of these behemoths that have invaded the roads. Rather, it picks up exactly where Hyundai left off by ditching the Accent subcompact, but offering a slightly higher vision.
The good news is that this silhouette, which is also charming, is an obvious advantage over the sedan, notably offering a slightly larger and more practical cargo space. Obviously, you don’t carry suitcases by the ton, but the Venue’s trunk has a maximum capacity of 902 liters once the seats are lowered.
That space was more than enough to get us through our errands for the week, and to have plenty of room to get some friends on the back seat. Friends who, moreover, have not suffered too much from the lack of clearance which, although limited, is in the very good average of the category.
It is true that I would have appreciated a little more impressive power. I’m not really a crazy driver, but I must admit that the 121 horsepower and 113 lb-ft of torque of the 1.6-litre 4-cylinder left me a bit unsatisfied. And since this kind of news never comes alone, the continuously variable transmission that equips the model does not make things any easier.
The lack of all-wheel drive also somewhat tarnishes the qualities of this vehicle for extra-urban conditions. But all this is only of relative importance when we analyze the Venue for its true personality: an entry-level vehicle, not too expensive, and designed for the city. In this niche, it is still hard to beat.
Because in terms of maneuverability, the Hyundai Venue has nothing to be ashamed of. It weaves its way through tight parking lots with ease, and even its rearview camera offers good image quality and precision, which isn’t always the case in this category.
Add to that a decent, if not exceptional, infotainment system and sufficient soundproofing, and you’ve got a perfectly reasonable Hyundai Venue, and an entry into the Hyundai family worthy of some consideration.
In terms of price, the Venue isn’t exactly free, but with an Ultimate version with more refined interior decor, the price is $27,000 including shipping and costs. Which, in a world where vehicles display oversized invoices, is still reasonable. And the word reasonable on an invoice, we always like!
In the podcast
A program full of information. The test drive of the Hyundai Venue is obviously featured, as is that of the Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema, a surprising Italian. We also talk about the 6-cylinder Mazda CX-90, as well as Porsche’s contribution to the world of contemporary art.
2023-07-28 20:50:45
#Hyundai #Venue #small #urban
