ANOTHER NEW MODEL sure to shake up the local market comes from the fast-growing Hyundai brand.
The all-new Venue small SUV should arrive in Australian showrooms in the second half of this year with an entry price below the all-important $20,000 mark, making it up to $4000 less than the most affordable current Hyundai SUV, the Kona (starting from $23,500 plus on roads).
With the Accent being phased out in Australia, the Venue will take up the mantle of Hyundai’s most accessible model. It has big shoes to fill, with the Accent topping the Australian list of light car sales this year.
The small SUV segment is crowded and competitive, with the big hitters being Mazda’s CX-3 and Mitsubishi’s venerable ASX.
The new Venue is 4036mm long and 1770mm wide, but manages to look larger (as you can see in the images above). That makes it 130mm shorter than the Kona and 31mm narrower, although it still manages to squeeze in five seats and five doors.
Power for the Venue will come from Hyundai’s 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, upgraded for better fuel economy. Transmission will be either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. There will be no all-wheel drive option.