Hyundai Venue S Opt Turbo DCT

About Hyundai Venue S Opt Turbo DCT

Buying a new car in India is a big decision, isn't it? You juggle so many things in your mind: 'Will it fit my budget?' 'Is it safe for my family?' 'What about monthly maintenance costs?' 'Does it have all the latest features?' And, of course, 'How good is the company's service?' These are crucial questions for any smart car buyer. Well, if you've been looking for a compact SUV that tries to tick all these boxes, then the Hyundai Venue S Opt Turbo DCT might just be the car you've been waiting for. It promises a blend of sporty performance, modern features, and Hyundai's trusted reliability. Let's dive deep into what this popular compact SUV has to offer.

Main Highlights

Engine Specifications

The heart of the Hyundai Venue S Opt Turbo DCT is its peppy and efficient engine.

• Engine Type: 1.0-litre Turbo GDi (Gasoline Direct Injection)
• Maximum Power: Around 120 PS (Pferdestärke) at 6,000 rpm
• Peak Torque: Around 172 Nm at 1,500-4,000 rpm
• Transmission: 7-speed DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission)
• This combination ensures a smooth yet spirited driving experience, especially in city traffic and on highways.

Design Overview

The Venue boasts a contemporary and robust design that appeals to modern Indian buyers.

• Exterior: It features Hyundai's signature 'Sensuous Sportiness' design language. You get a bold front grille, split headlamp design with LED DRLs (Daytime Running Lights), stylish alloy wheels (depending on variant), and prominent character lines that give it a strong road presence. It looks sophisticated yet rugged, perfect for urban adventures.
• Interior: Step inside and you will find a well-laid-out cabin with a premium feel. The dual-tone interior theme (in some variants) adds to its appeal. The seats are comfortable, offering good support for long drives. The dashboard is clutter-free, focusing on ergonomics and ease of use. You will appreciate the overall fit and finish.

Key Features

Even in the S Opt Turbo DCT trim, the Venue is packed with convenience and technology.

• Infotainment System: An 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for seamless smartphone integration.
• Connectivity: Hyundai's Bluelink Connected Car Technology (lite version in this trim) offers features like remote engine start/stop, climate control, and vehicle tracking.
• Climate Control: Automatic Climate Control ensures optimal cabin temperature without manual adjustments.
• Other Features: You also get steering-mounted controls, rear AC vents, and electrically adjustable ORVMs (Outside Rear View Mirrors). While features like an electric sunroof, wireless phone charging, and a 360-degree camera are typically available in higher-end SX Opt and SX(O) variants of the Venue, the S Opt Turbo DCT still offers a very compelling feature set for its price point.

Ground Clearance

• The Hyundai Venue offers a healthy ground clearance of 195 mm, which is quite practical for tackling Indian road conditions and speed breakers with ease.

Boot Space

• You get a decent boot space of 350 litres, which is ample for your weekend luggage or grocery runs.

Dimensions

• Length: 3,995 mm
• Width: 1,770 mm
• Height: 1,617 mm
• Wheelbase: 2,500 mm

Powertrain Options

Beyond the 1.0L Turbo GDi with DCT (which is the focus here), the Hyundai Venue offers other engine and transmission choices to cater to diverse needs:

• 1.2-litre MPi Petrol: Paired with a 5-speed manual transmission, offering good fuel efficiency.
• 1.5-litre U2 CRDi Diesel: Comes with a 6-speed manual transmission, known for its torque and mileage.
• 1.0-litre Turbo GDi: Also available with a 6-speed iMT (Intelligent Manual Transmission) alongside the 7-speed DCT.

Safety Features

Hyundai has equipped the Venue with a good array of safety features, both active and passive.

• Standard Safety: Dual front airbags, ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) with EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution), rear parking sensors, seatbelt reminder, and ISOFIX child seat mounts.
• Additional Features (in higher variants but some features might trickle down): Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), Hill Assist Control (HAC), Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

NCAP Rating Table

Safety ratings are a key concern for Indian buyers, and here's how the Hyundai Venue stands.

Rating Agency	Adult Occupant Protection	Child Occupant Protection
Global NCAP (older protocol)	3 Stars	4 Stars
Bharat NCAP	Not yet tested (as of early 2024)

Note: The Global NCAP rating refers to the India-spec Venue tested under their older protocol.

Rivals of Hyundai Venue S Opt Turbo DCT

The compact SUV segment is highly competitive in India. The Hyundai Venue S Opt Turbo DCT competes with several strong contenders:

• Kia Sonet
• Tata Nexon
• Maruti Suzuki Brezza
• Mahindra XUV300
• Nissan Magnite
• Renault Kiger

How is the Car? (Pros & Cons)

Let's weigh the good and the not-so-good about the Venue S Opt Turbo DCT to help you make an informed choice.

Pros

• Punchy Performance: The 1.0L Turbo GDi engine coupled with the 7-speed DCT offers excellent acceleration and smooth shifts, making city driving a breeze and highway cruising enjoyable.
• Refined DCT Gearbox: The dual-clutch transmission is one of the smoothest in its class, providing a premium driving experience.
• Modern Design: Both the exterior and interior have a fresh, contemporary look that stands out.
• Feature-Rich: Even this mid-spec variant comes with essential features like an 8-inch touchscreen, connected car tech, and auto climate control.
• Hyundai Reliability & Service: Hyundai's extensive service network and reputation for reliable vehicles are big positives.
• Comfortable Ride: The suspension is well-tuned for Indian roads, offering a comfortable ride quality for most situations.

Cons

• Rear Seat Space: While adequate for four, the rear seat can feel a bit snug for three adults on longer journeys compared to some rivals.
• Fuel Efficiency: The turbo petrol DCT combination, while fun to drive, might not be as fuel-efficient as some naturally aspirated petrol manual rivals, especially if driven enthusiastically.
• Feature Gaps (Compared to Top Variants): While well-equipped, the S Opt Turbo DCT misses out on some premium features like a sunroof, wireless charging, and side/curtain airbags, which are available in higher Venue variants or some competitors' mid-range trims.
• Road Noise: At higher speeds, some road and wind noise can filter into the cabin.

Conclusion

The Hyundai Venue S Opt Turbo DCT presents a compelling package for Indian car buyers looking for a modern, feature-packed, and enjoyable compact SUV. It offers a fantastic blend of urban agility, highway capability, and contemporary styling. While it might have a few minor drawbacks like rear seat space and potentially higher running costs for the turbo-DCT combo, its strengths in performance, features, and overall ownership experience often outweigh them. If you're a buyer who values a smooth automatic transmission, peppy engine performance, and a car that looks good both inside and out, the Venue S Opt Turbo DCT is definitely worth a serious test drive. It's a reliable choice that promises to make your daily commute and occasional road trips a lot more exciting.