It’s not your average SUV, instead it should be classed a micro version

If Hyundai New Zealand’s boss Andy Sinclair had his way, the compact Venue SUV would sit in a segment that doesn’t exist at the moment.

Priced from $29,990 for the entry-level model and $33,990 for the Elite model, the Venue has a 1.6litre petrol engine producing 90kW of power and 151Nm of torque and paired with a six-speed auto transmission. But Hyundai has a launch price of $27,990 special for the entry-level model, available until July.

Hyundai says the Venue has a fuel economy of 7.2l/100km.

You can toggle between driving modes, comfort, sport and standard or three traction settings; snow, sand, and mud.

The Venue is 4040mm long, 1770mm wide, 1592mm high with a 2520mm wheelbase and officially sits in the compact SUV segment.

But Sinclair thinks a new SUV segment should be created for crossover vehicles such as the Venue.

“There is no micro or light SUV segment at the moment and it makes sense to look at the light car segment, with more light car owners shifting to Venue,” he said.

The compact segment is one of the fastest growing in New Zealand with the likes of Suzuki’s Ignis and Jimny plus Skoda Kamiq, Kia’s Seltos and Toyota’s CH-R sitting in this class but more likely to be recognised as micro SUVs.

In this grounded arena, customers expect their SUVs to be highly specced, with the Venue offering a competitive package. It has six airbags, forward and rear cross traffic collision warning while the Elite gets blind spot monitoring.

It has an 8in touchscreen, rear view camera with dynamic guidelines, a 3.5in TFT driver's multifunction display and is AppleCarplay/Android Auto capable.

The entry level sits on 15in tyres and has cloth seats while the Elite gets 17in alloys and has leather.

Hyundai says the brief for the design of the Venue was “trendy” and with that comes a 3D cascading grille and air curtain inlet at the front and stunning rear lights.

It can fit four people comfortably while the rear seat would be okay for kids.

And speaking of kids, what segment does the Venue customer fit in? First car buyer? Families? Empty nesters?

Hyundai expects Venue will be a “hit with female buyers”.

Sinclair says the Venue is “big on personality, bold and unique looking, I think it will be a hit with New Zealanders”.

AutoMuse had the Elite for a week, and was impressed with its distinctive styling and around the city is a peppy performer, agile in traffic thanks to its small proportions and reactive steering.

It is fine merging on the motorway but the Venue could do with more power once you’re on the motorway, even in sport mode.

The engine never sounds too coarse and with little road or tyre noise entering the cabin.

Direct steering action and a well-tuned suspension make the Venue fun to drive and it rides well over rougher roads considering its small wheelbase.

I didn't realise I had a CVT until I'd already been driving the car for a few days with the transmission matching gear ratios with engine speed, almost always keeping revs down low to reduce engine drone and improve efficiency.

The Venue is an overall solid performer but is more suited for a city car, rather than for long motorway trips.

It also suffers from having tough competition in the “micro” segment, especially when its Korean relative, the Kia Seltos, has a 2-litre engine and starts at $27,990 – $2000 cheaper for a very similar product.

But Hyundai knows that Kiwis are moving away from sedans and into SUVs such as this – and you can expect smaller crossovers to enter our market.