While the Hyundai Venue is available with three engine options — a 1.2-litre petrol, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol and 1.5-litre diesel — it’s the humble naturally aspirated 1.2 petrol that forms the backbone of the range, accounting for a massive 63 percent of total sales. Interestingly, this is despite it being offered in limited variants and without the option of an automatic gearbox. So what exactly makes this version of the Venue such a strong seller? We finally got our hands on one to find out.
Hyundai Venue 1.2 petrol Performance and Refinement
Powering the Venue is the familiar 83hp/115Nm, four-cylinder, 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine that also does duty in Hyundai’s smaller offerings like the Grand i10 Nios, Aura, Exter and i20. Typically Hyundai, this engine feels exceptionally smooth and refined, and the company has done a commendable job with insulation levels too.
What stands out most is its responsiveness at part throttle. In everyday driving conditions, performance feels perfectly adequate and, more importantly, extremely easy to live with. Since the Venue is noticeably heavier than the Grand i10 Nios and Exter, Hyundai has compensated with shorter gearing, and the payoff is impressive drivability. In fact, its rolling acceleration times from 20-80kph in third gear and 40-100kph in fourth are actually better than its smaller siblings.
For the vast majority of buyers, this engine will do the job just fine. That said, outright performance isn’t particularly exciting. Push harder and rev it out, and the engine starts to feel breathless at the top end. Power delivery tapers noticeably beyond 5,000rpm, progress slows, and the engine note becomes a bit boomy. Enthusiastic drivers will certainly want more punch, and for them, the turbo-petrol remains the better choice.
The 5-speed manual gearbox is the familiar Hyundai unit — slick-shifting, light to operate and paired with an easy clutch. Altogether, it makes the Venue an effortless and stress-free car to drive in traffic.
Hyundai Venue 1.2 petrol fuel Efficiency
Hyundai claims the Venue 1.2 petrol manual can deliver 18.05kpl. In our real-world tests, it returned 10.7kpl in the city and 14.9kpl on the highway.
Those are respectable numbers, especially when you consider two things. One, there’s no auto engine stop-start system to help save fuel while idling. And two, thanks to the shorter gearing, the engine is spinning fairly high at cruising speeds. To put things into perspective, at 100kph in fifth gear, the engine sits at around 3,200rpm, which is quite high for relaxed highway cruising.
Hyundai Venue 1.2 petrol Ride Comfort and Handling
The Venue’s steering is very light, which makes maneuvering it around the city an absolute breeze. Unfortunately, it remains consistently light even at higher speeds, and as a result, doesn’t inspire as much confidence on the highway. Handling itself is predictable and neutral — exactly what you’d expect from a city-friendly family compact SUV.
Ride quality is good too, and interestingly, this 15-inch wheel-equipped variant rides slightly better than the higher trims with 16-inch wheels. It absorbs sharp potholes without sending harsh thuds into the cabin. That said, when it comes to overall ride and handling sophistication, rivals like the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV 3XO and even the Skoda Kylaq feel more solid underneath and overall, better balanced.
Hyundai Venue 1.2 petrol Exterior Design
In mid-spec form, the Venue almost appears hatchback-like due to the absence of roof rails, which take away some of that visual height and SUV stance. The 195/65 R15 tyres also don’t fill the wheel arches quite as nicely as the chunkier 215/60 R16s available on the turbo-petrol and diesel variants. Interestingly, none of the 1.2 petrol variants get alloy wheels — 15-inch steel wheels with plastic covers are standard across the range.
That said, other design elements such as the oversized L-shaped LED DRLs, contrasting silver C-pillar garnish, body cladding, shark-fin antenna and connected tail-lamps add character to the styling. Even so, the second-generation Venue’s edgy design language will continue to divide opinions.
Hyundai Venue 1.2 petrol Interior Space and Comfort
Despite not growing significantly in size, the Venue’s cabin gives off a surprisingly big-car feel. A large part of that comes down to the dual-tone colour scheme and the clever use of light grey and black. Hyundai has also sensibly finished the seat base and regular touch points in black, making the cabin easier to keep clean over time.
From behind the wheel, you sit nice and high, outward visibility is excellent, and the visible bonnet further adds to that commanding SUV-like driving experience.
The curved housing for the touchscreen and digital instrument cluster also elevates the cabin’s premium appeal. Appreciably, Hyundai has retained plenty of physical buttons and knobs, while thoughtfully designed storage spaces add to the practicality quotient.
Seat comfort in both rows is largely good, and while cabin and boot space are generous, they’re broadly in line with what rivals offer.
Hyundai Venue 1.2 petrol Features and Safety
Our test car was the mid-spec HX5 variant, and it covers all the essentials while adding a fair bit more. Equipment includes projector headlamps, a sunroof, digital instrument cluster, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, keyless entry and go, auto-folding mirrors, tyre pressure monitoring system, rear-view camera, ESP and six airbags. At Rs 9.5 lakh, this variant certainly feels well-equipped for the money.
Some notable omissions at this price point include alloy wheels, roof rails, one-touch down function for the driver’s window, wireless charging, rear wiper and washer, and ventilated seats — some of which are available in higher 1.2 variants.
Hyundai Venue 1.2 petrol Price and Verdict
Viewed against its rivals, the Venue doesn’t come across as exceptional value. The 1.2 petrol range is priced between Rs 8 lakh and Rs 10.88 lakh, and for similar money, rivals like the Tata Nexon, Skoda Kylaq and Mahindra XUV 3XO offer turbo-petrol engines paired with 6-speed manual gearboxes. Not only are they noticeably quicker, but they’re also more engaging to drive.
For many buyers, the absence of an automatic option with this engine could also be a dealbreaker. A smooth CVT, like the one offered in the Hyundai i20, would certainly have broadened the Venue 1.2’s appeal.
But step back and look at the bigger picture, and the Venue 1.2 has its own appeal. It ticks nearly every box most buyers care about — it’s easy to drive, the 1.2-litre engine is smooth, refined and surprisingly drivable, the cabin feels premium yet practical, and as always with Hyundai, the features list is generous. Add Hyundai’s widespread service and support network into the mix, and the Venue’s case becomes even stronger. As a city-friendly family compact SUV, it’s genuinely hard to fault.
Lenny D'sa
Gavin DSouza
