The Venue and Creta are the volume drivers for Hyundai in India. The former faces steep competition from a dozen rivals. Will a comprehensive update to the Venue add wind in the sails of Hyundai? Read the first drive report to know our initial impressions:
2025 Hyundai Venue: Design and Dimensions
With a radical design change, the Venue looks and stands tall more like a Creta now. The dark, rectangular grille has a three-layer pattern that sheds the curvy look of the previous Venue. An LED light bar runs across the face, drops down sharply to wrap around the vertically-stacked headlamp cluster. The chunky skid plates, strong character lines and upright tail establish the boxy stance.
The Venue has grown in size. It's 48 mm taller and 30 mm wider. The wheelbase has increased by 20 mm. The top-end variant rides on 16-inch wheels. The design of the alloy wheels gives it an impression of an EV. My preference tilts towards the N Line. The alloy wheels look sharp, the N badge in the centre is sporty and they are a size bigger at 17-inch. The N Line also has a smaller grille, athletic skid plates and a split spoiler. There are plenty of N Line badges inside out for distinction.
The rear-end is a squat stance with an upright tail gate. The LED tail cluster mimics the front-end, and the VENUE insignia runs under a transparent film. The N Line has twin-tip exhaust and red brake callipers for distinction. A 375-litre boot space is among the best in the segment, and easily offers volume for three full-size bags. The loading lip is on the higher side, and it requires a bit of effort to take things out.
2025 Hyundai Venue: Cabin and Features
With a fresh layout, the Venue appears wider than before. The 12.3-inch infotainment and 12.3-inch digital driver's display are a part of the free-standing unit, which is a massive upgrade over the previous Venue. The unit has a crisp touch response; gets customisable displays and overall looks upmarket. The driver's display also has layers to it. The new D-cut steering feels solid to hold and has a Hyundai badge in Morse code. It misses out on reach-adjustability.
The front seats are ventilated and come with electric adjustment. They have improved than before, and feel slightly bigger. The centre console is redesigned, tidying up some space. Top-end variant also gets ambient lighting, wireless charging, Bose speakers and an electronic parking brake. Venue misses out on a panoramic sunroof. The HVAC controls are new, and the setup with buttons reminds me of Creta. The Venue lettering in front of the co-driver is also part of the fresh layout.
The rear seat experience is a marked improvement. The increased wheelbase and better space management have liberated more room, which taller passengers will surely appreciate. The seat length is slightly shorter than before and the front seats have a scooped-out back, freeing up better leg room. The rear seat is two-step reclinable, has an armrest, adjustable headrests, dedicated AC vents and charging ports. The headrest for the third passenger is an absentee.
2025 Hyundai Venue: Engine Options
Not much has changed in the powertrain options for Venue. Hyundai is among the few manufacturers to continue with diesel in sub-compact SUVs. The entry-level variants start with a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated gasoline engine, paired to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The NA engine produces 83 horsepower and 115 Nm of peak torque. Hyundai has stayed away from factory-fitted CNG, unlike Brezza and Nexon. There is an option of a more powerful 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, which produces 120 horsepower and 172 Nm. The three-cylinder unit gets the option of a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic and a 6-speed manual transmission. The 1.5-litre diesel engine makes 116 horsepower and 250 Nm of peak torque. The new entrant is a 6-speed torque converter automatic. The diesel also has an option of a 6-speed manual gearbox. The automatic variants offer paddle shifters. The N Line comes with the same 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, but offers a different set of hardware.
2025 Venue N Line Drive Experience:
The turbo-petrol engine is punchy and has a strong pull over 2,000 rpm. The turbo-spool dampens the experience in crawling traffic, but the free-revving nature comes to life on open straights. Venue N Line races to 100 kmph on the speedometer and there is still gas left to stretch further. We tried out the DCT gearbox, which felt quite precise and seamless during shifts.
2025 Hyundai Venue Diesel Drive Experience:
Diesel is still a preferred choice for many, and options are limited in the segment. The 1.5-litre diesel engine is fairly refined, has a decent poke in the mid-range and perfect companion for highway trips. Some noise does creep in at idle speed but not a dealbreaker. The torque converter is par for the job and should be more reliable than the dual-clutch.
2025 Hyundai Venue Driving Dynamics:
There is a significant improvement in the way Venue drives. The re-engineered chassis is more absorbing and stable. Using 71 per cent high tensile strength steel will also increase the crashworthiness of the Venue. The SUV feels less wallowy over bad roads, holding its shape better. The steering is more direct but not the most engaging by the segment benchmark. It's light and manageable, but there is vagueness at the dead centre. The brakes, especially in the N Line, are sharp and potent. The ride is also firmer in the N Line. The level-2 is also new in Venue, and is available with higher trims. Six airbags, stability control and hill hold assist come as standard safety features.
2025 Hyundai Venue Price and Verdict:
The Venue is priced between Rs 7.89 lakh and Rs 15.51 lakh (ex-showroom) and the range-topping trims are significantly higher priced over rivals. The new Venue comes across as a massive upgrade over its predecessor and tech-savvy buyers will find it suitable.