11000 km with my Venue diesel: Why I bought it and should you buy one

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The same engine in a similar config is also used in the Hyundai Creta and Alcazar but in the lighter Venue, it feels very high-spirited.

BHPian SerArthurDayne recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

It has roughly been 11 months since I bought the compact SUV in Dec 2022 and have clocked close to 11,000 KMs on the ODO. Sharing the comprehensive ownership experience along with a poignant commentary on the SUV segment in India.

Here are some details about my Car:

  • Hyundai Venue Dec 2022
  • Variant: S+ Diesel
  • Engine: 1.5l 4 cylinder CRDi (BS 6 – Phase 1)
  • Transmission: Manual
  • Colour: Titan Grey
  • Price: INR 9.99 Lakhs Ex-showroom

A picture of the machine:

Why I bought Hyundai Venue

My Criteria:

  • I just knew that I wanted to buy a diesel car. With the govt. coming hard on Diesel, I figured it’d be good to enjoy one of the last diesel engines before they go extinct.
  • Had to buy an SUV (raised-up FWD hatch) owing to the road conditions in India.
  • Budget was around 15L, with some wiggle room.
  • Decided that a sub-4m car would work, as I didn’t really need the extra space and features of a larger car.

Based on the above Criteria, the options narrowed down to these:

  • Hyundai Venue: The base diesel (S+) variant started at 9.99 Lakhs Ex-showroom (Less than 10L, so less taxes). For a base variant, if offered crazy features and value for money, as I’ll further elaborate.
  • Kia Sonet: Before the facelift of Venue, this car offered better value. But the facelift changed the game. Also, no manual gearbox with diesel.
  • Tata Nexon: Expensive diesel variants. The variant that costed around 10 Lakhs, had absolutely no features, came with smaller tyres and felt emptier than my ex’s heart. Venue came with full-sized tyres. Also, Tata is notorious for its insufferable service experience and quality issues. It is said that: “Tata cars are safe because they spend more time at service centres than on roads.” *PS: No offence to Tata fanbois. Please don’t hit me with your “desh ka loha”.
  • Mahindra XUV 300: Similar story as Nexon. Overpriced AF, but with pathetic looks. Its interior was absolute bilge. This atrocious car has been long neglected by Mahindra and only sells because of the hoax created by “unpaid” influencers. While other cars have gotten facelifts or upgrades, this is the only car that has degraded over time. Yes, it has performance, but do you really need it? Does it even make a slight difference in the overall ownership experience?

For a decent ownership experience, you need features. And for a feature-rich Nexon or XUV 300, you need upwards of 14 Lakhs. If I have to spend so much on a sub-4m car, I would rather spend a bit more and get a car like Creta from the upper segment.

Had also, gone for the TD of Kushaq/Taigun. Rejected it for the reasons why everyone else also rejects them. To know more, read this satiric and acute article on Kushaq/Taigun, written by, truly yours.

Thus, Hyundai Venue emerged as the clear winner.

Variant Selection:

I wanted to get a variant with a sunroof. But when I took the TD, I realised that a small sunroof does not matter much. So, no need to spend the extra 2 lakhs, when I’m getting most of the necessary features in the S+ variant.

“Identify your needs first. Then, finding a car becomes easy.”

Ownership Experience

Pros:

  • Looks: Although this is subjective, it was kind of a love at first sight. Didn’t like the pre-facelift version of the Venue much. If your car makes you wanna take its pictures all the time, then you have a nice-looking car.

Here are a few snaps of the Beauty in Goa:

  • Engine: The 1.5l CRDi Diesel engine is a gem. Same engine in a similar config is also used in heavier Hyundai Cars like Creta and Alcazar. This engine on a lighter Venue feels very high spirited. The turbo lag is evident. But once you hit the revs higher than 1500 RPM, the turbo kicks in and it puts a smile on your face. More than sufficient power and torque. This engine is butter smooth. Properly refined and silent. Unlike the Nexon’s engine which is probably borrowed from a Tractor.
  • Mileage: As Indigo say, this is a lean, clean, mileage machine. Drive it with a light foot and it’ll be lighter on your pocket. In city, it returns around 15 kmpl. On highways, it is around 20-25 kmpl. Not bad at all. Segment best.
  • Features: Korean cars usually try to provide features over and above the segment standard. And this car isn’t any exception. Even for a lower variant, it comes with many standard safety features. Highline TPMS is very helpful. It has full sized steel wheels with wheel caps that look so good that you could be forgiven for thinking that these are alloys. Rear AC vents, HD Rear parking camera with sensors, infotainment unit with wireless Apple CarPlay and Digital MID make the car well equipped. Multiple charging ports (front and rear), front armrest, sufficient boot size and smart storage spaces make the car really practical.
  • Service: Hyundai provides a very satisfactory service experience. Haven’t experienced any major issues yet. Service network is wide and even the roadside assistance is quick and helpful.

Cons:

  • Steering: Although it is light and can be manoeuvred with one finger, it is pretty vague. There’s a lot of play in the centre. It weighs up at high speeds but just does not feel confident and accurate. Also, the car is very light. So, the overall high-speed stability is not good.
  • Suspension: The ride is not very comfortable. Feels stiff. It glides through the normal bumps pretty well, but could definitely be better. Even the seats could’ve been made better for longer drives.
  • Build quality: Even though it has scored 4 stars in the ANCAP, we still can’t be sure of its build quality as the material used in international markets is different. The outer panels don’t feel indestructible. Only a proper crash test might provide more clarity. But now, every new Hyundai car comes with 6 standard airbags. So, it’s a step in the right direction.

Should you buy Hyundai Venue?

Venue comes in 3 engine configs:

  • 1.5l Diesel: This is still the best value-for-money car in the segment. Sufficient power, good mileage and features at a reasonable price. Should definitely be considered if your budget is less than 14 Lakhs.
  • 1.2l Petrol: This naturally aspirated engine has very less power. But it is low maintenance and very refined. But this same engine is available in Hyundai Exter. Exter should be chosen over Venue if you want this engine.
  • 1l Petrol: This turbo engine is quick and comes with interesting variants that are feature-loaded (Knight edition and N-Line). The DCT gearbox is also good and can provide a satisfactory ownership experience.

But if your main objective is mileage and don’t want to spend more than 15 Lakhs on a sub-4m car, then you can also check out the Toyota Hyryder or Maruti Grand Vitara, if the budget allows and you want a petrol car.

Video review of my Hyundai Venue

Feel free to ask if you have any questions on this. Do let me your feedback in the comments.

Thanks for reading.

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