In today’s local automotive scene, SUVs dominate just about every segment. This is especially true for the subcompact category. This genre offers the high driving position of an SUV while maintaining the maneuverability and affordability of a small car.
The Hyundai VENUE is such a vehicle. Positioned below the CRETA—size-wise and price-wise—the VENUE slots neatly into the subcompact SUV category, not just as Hyundai’s most affordable crossover, but as one of the most affordable crossovers in the country, period. And while most of its rivals are made in India, Indonesia, Thailand, or China, the VENUE is imported from Korea.
With prices starting substantially below the million-peso mark (PHP798,000, to be exact), the VENUE appeals heavily to first-time car buyers, families looking for a second or third car, and just about anyone looking for a practical and affordable everyday compact SUV.
Form and function — A boxy shape with a premium style
The VENUE’s squarish design reflects Hyundai’s SUV design philosophy you’ll find in its bigger brethren like the Santa Fe and Palisade—upright, spacious, and highly functional. Spanning a mere four meters long and with a tidy (but not space-constricting) 1,770mm width, it’s easy to maneuver through traffic and into tight parking spaces.
Up front, the bold Audi-esque grille, ultra-slim upper lighting elements, and low-mounted auto-on/off projector headlamps (with static bending) framed by LED DRLs present an upscale visage. Distinctive LED taillamps (Hyundai makes some of the prettiest taillights) and nice surface detailing on the tailgate and bumper give the VENUE’s rear end more visual interest than what you’d expect in an entry-level crossover. The PHP998,000 flagship GLS adds more visual style with bigger (and very stylish) 17-inch two-tone alloy wheels (lower variants get 15-inch wheels), roof rails, and a rear spoiler that add sportiness to the overall look.
De rigueur black plastic cladding around the fender openings and along the lower body emphasize the VENUE’s SUV persona. While its styling may not be the most cutting-edge in the segment, it still carries a perky and youthful charm that suits urban buyers looking for a small yet versatile vehicle.
Feature-packed interior
The VENUE’s boxy shape translates to a spacious and airy feel in the cabin, easily meeting expectations in a daily driver. You’ll find a minimalist yet functional interior, which seats four comfortably and five at a pinch. Don’t expect leather (even faux leather) and soft-touch materials; the surfaces are mostly hard-wearing and easy-to-clean hard plastics—par for the course at the Venue’s price point. Seat covering is fabric, although the GLS variant does have a leather steering wheel. The driver’s seat of the GLS offers 6-way manual adjustment.
Function and connectivity come from an intuitive 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with (wireless!) Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus Bluetooth with voice recognition, not to mention a multitude of charging ports—features you’d expect only in more expensive SUVs—all of which enable you to connect your smartphone effortlessly and intuitively.
The range-topping GLS adds more features such as a 4.2-inch TFT instrument display, push-button start with smart key, automatic climate control, and reverse camera with parking sensors. The GL retains simpler amenities like manual air-conditioning and fabric seats, but even the base model provides all the essentials for daily driving.
Flexibility comes from rear seats that can fold in a 60:40 split, expanding the already generous cargo capacity even more when needed—much appreciated when picking up one or two people from the airport, after a shopping spree at Ikea, or even a round of golf with two other friends. Overall, it’s a cabin that’s big on space (for its outside dimensions) and function, if not outright luxury.
A blend of performance and efficiency for a fun drive
While most crossovers in its class have 1.5-liter engines (some with three cylinders), all variants of the VENUE are powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder petrol engine giving out a more-than-adequate 123 horsepower and 151 Nm of torque. It delivers responsive acceleration, with enough torque to pass slower-moving traffic on the highway.
The VENUE is one of the few remaining crossovers that offers a choice between a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic (the latter in GL and GLS variants). Unlike many of its peers that use CVTs, the VENUE’s conventional torque-converter automatic delivers smoother, lag-free shifts and a more satisfying and natural-sounding engine note.
Not only that, it also delivers impressive fuel economy: 10-14 kilometers per liter in the city and anywhere from 15-20 kilometers per liter on the highway.
The VENUE boasts a feature you’d expect in much more expensive SUVs—switchable driving modes—specifically three Drive Modes (Eco, Normal, Sport) and three Traction Modes (Snow, Mud, Sand) on higher variants, allowing drivers to adapt the vehicle to various driving styles and conditions. The traditional front struts/rear torsion beam suspension is tuned mainly for everyday comfort and usability, but still manages to deliver nimble handling.
Decent array of safety features
Despite its affordable price point, all VENUE variants manage to pack a decent array of safety features, which include ABS with EBD, reverse camera, engine immobilizer, and ISOFIX child-seat anchors.
The GLS variant adds Electronic Stability Control, Hill-Start Assist, rear parking sensors, side and curtain airbags. While it may not have the advanced driver-assistance systems seen in its more expensive siblings, the VENUE provides the essentials for safe daily driving.
Price-wise, the VENUE starts at PHP798,000 for the entry-level 1.6 GL MT, goes up to P898,000 for the midrange 1.6 GL AT, and tops out at P998,000 for the 1.6 GLS AT. These price points make the VENUE among the most affordable SUVs on the market, appealing to buyers who want an SUV’s styling, raised ride height, and versatility without spending over a millionbucks.
For SUV buyers looking for practicality, value, and day to day usability, the VENUE honestly and affordably delivers whatthey’re looking for: a capable and dependable daily driver that fits seamlessly into everyday life in the Philippines.
