Hyundai will launch their first sub-4m compact SUV, the Venue on 21st May in India. It will be offered with three engine options including a 1.0-litre turbo charged petrol that will be mated to a 7-speed automatic gearbox. It will compete with two other petrol automatic compact SUVs, the Nexon and the EcoSport. How does this new offering fare with the others? Let's have a look!
Design and dimensions
While all the three SUVs have an almost identical length of 4 meters, the Nexon is the widest while the EcoSport is the tallest. This Ford also has an upper hand in terms of a boot mounted spare wheel that gives it a macho look. The higher versions gets classy alloy wheels (S and Signature) that complete the package.
The Nexon on the other hand makes you want to give it a second look. It looks almost identical to the concept vehicle on which it is based. Muscular, beefy and wide, the Nexon does look intimidating.
The new Hyundai Venue does impress us a lot in terms of aesthetics. It looks striking thanks to the squarish DRLs and the sharp indicators while the side profile looks classy thanks to the diamond cut alloy wheels. The rear too is muscular and overall, it does bring in freshness in the segment. We feel this will appeal to wider set of audience
The cabin
The EcoSport still offers one of the best cabins in the segment in terms of high-quality materials being used. The large touch-screen stands out and the seats hug you so well. However, the Nexon offers more space and that matters for those who like to move along with their family members. The Venue, in this regard, offers best of both the worlds. Like most Hyundai models, quality of materials used is top notch, there is ample space for five adults and even in terms of features, it offers six airbags and more connected features than other two SUVs combined together. Hyundai even claims this has more rear leg room than rivals!
Interiors too then go in favor of the Venue.
Engine and specs
The Venue’s engine has the lowest displacement among the three vehicles here. The petrol automatic comes with a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol unit as compared to 1.2-litre turbo petrol for the Nexon automatic and 1.5-litre naturally aspirated for the EcoSport automatic.
At 120 PS of power, it has 10 PS more than the Nexon but just 3 PS shy of the EcoSport’s motor. But surprisingly, it has the highest torque here, generating 172 Nm of torque! Another ace up the Venue’s sleeve is the gearbox. The 7 speed DCT or dual clutch transmission is far superior than the gearbox of the other two vehicles. The Nexon makes use of a low-cost AMT or automated manual transmission which frankly cannot match up to the EcoSport or the Venue. While it makes the Nexon automatic more affordable, driving pleasure for sure is compromised.
The EcoSport used to come with a dual clutch transmission but the updated model gets a more conventional 6 speed torque converter. So, while it does the job well, making use of the torque of the larger motor, we are sure the DCT of the Venue will offer quicker gear shifts and might be more efficient too.
Pricing
The Nexon undoubtedly offers shattering value for money. The petrol automatic range starts from Rs 7.84 lakh (XMA) going up to Rs 9.95 lakh for the top spec XZA with dual tone roof. The EcoSport petrol automatic on the other hand starts from Rs 9.77 lakh (Trend Plus) and goes all the way to Rs 11.37 lakh for the Titanium Plus variant.
The Hyundai Venue, given its positioning and features will not come cheap. The DCT ‘box is expensive to manufacture which means it's safe to assume a premium for this product. The 1.0 DCT might not be offered in the base or mid-level versions either. Our assumption is that the top spec petrol DCT of the Venue will rub shoulders with the entry level 1.6 manual of the Creta. Given the design, features and a superior transmission of offer, the deal does not seem any bad.
Bookings will open (officially) soon and pricing will be announced on the 21st May. If you are on a budget, the Nexon has no comparison. But if you have deeper pockets, do wait till 21st May before you make a choice between the EcoSport and the Venue. Either way you will not be disappointed.
