The Hyundai Venue has had a very interesting history in the Philippines so far. The nameplate was introduced in 2020 as the last model sold under Hyundai’s former distributor. However, before it could gain widespread attention (the small crossover segment was starting to boom at the time), it was basically flushed out of showrooms before the Koreans took over. So, who would have thought that five years on, it’ll make a comeback more or less unchanged.
The Venue is like your girlfriend, turned ex, turned girlfriend again. Only during this weird on, off, and on relationship, she hasn’t aged a day. She’s pretty much the same car introduced in 2020 with not an additional wrinkle in sight. Mind you, five years is an eternity in car years, but the Fluidic Sculpture design has worked for her. She still looks mint. Maybe all that gym and Pilates helped.
The same can be said about the Venue’s cabin. It is a visual throwback of previous-generation Hyundais, and that could be both a good and bad thing. Compared to the increasingly buttonless but innocuous interiors of today’s cars, this one keeps a button heavy but innocuous one. Everything’s easy to understand while still managing to integrate tech that’s considered “must haves” by today’s buyers. The calculator-like digits of the gauges are a letdown, but the corporate 8-inch screen is a highlight. It schools plenty of newer offerings out there in terms of responsiveness and feature set.
Admittedly, in the five years between her absence, the Venue could have dialed up her charm with bolder colors or the addition of squishy plastics. As it stands, she’s inoffensive and a bit gloomy. There are some scratchy bits too, but at least they’re in places your hand won’t go wandering around until you get to fourth base. Also, she’s held up very well with a solid, squeak-free build.
At barely four meters in length, she’s smaller than most other small crossovers out there, but expectations are still met in terms of overall space. It absolutely excels having the capacity to fit four adults comfortably. In case a fifth one needs to squeeze in, he’s treated to his own headrest, and, in a rare occasion for a Hyundai, his own three-point seatbelt. With the rear seats up, the cargo hold is quite small, but at least the load space is even—free of odd protrusions and weird cavities. Plus, the rear seats too can be collapsed in a 60/40 split revealing a flat load bay. There aren’t much cubby holes to go by, but at least it covers the basics with a bin for smartphones and wallets in front of the shifter, two cup holders behind the shifter, and a decently-sized lidded armrest console and glovebox.
As a small crossover, this girl’s happiest in the city. The petiteness already makes it the perfect tool for slicing through traffic. Adding the excellent sightlines and light steering to the mix, and you’ve got something that’s also a hoot to maneuver around and park. With its small footprint, honestly, it doesn’t need any sensors or cameras, so it’s a bonus that the Venue comes with standard rear sensors and a reverse camera. At higher speeds, she loses some of that composure, but she’s just as adept. The steering and chassis start to lose their feel past 100 km/h, but at least the suspension tuning, which is a bit on the firm side, helps keep a sense of stability.
If anything, it’s the Venue’s powertrain that needs some work, and not for the obvious reason. At 1.6 liters, it’s one of the largest displacement crossovers in its class and it shows in both horsepower (123) and torque (151). With that, it can rely on its generous-ish displacement to keep things zippy. Sensible throttle inputs are enough to keep it abreast of surrounding traffic. It’s only when you start pounding the gas pedal where its rough character makes itself present. At mid to high rpms, it’s vocal and coarse. The accompanying 6-speed automatic operates transparently most of the time, but there are occasions where it’s eager, sometimes too eager, to call for a downshift. Also, this combo doesn’t exactly produce the most frugal results with the computer reading 7.93 km/L at an average speed of 14 km/h.
Priced at P 998,000 for this top-trim GLS, the Venue is decently loaded, all things considered. However, when compared to the same Venue launched in 2020, plenty of features have been culled this time around. Call it the price of inflation, but 2026 buyers lost out on the LED headlights, two additional speakers, and more critically, side and curtain airbags. And mind you, the Venue was offered then with a lower price tag.
That perhaps is the Venue’s biggest issue. It is commendable for Hyundai to offer a sub-compact crossover to battle against the Raize and Sonet, but it simply doesn’t offer a big enough differentiation. Whereas the Kona re-entered the market with a hybrid and the Elantra offering likewise (along with a multitude of other engine choices), the Venue has been clearly held back, dictated perhaps by a price ceiling or product positioning.
Its straightforwardness and simplicity are charming for sure, but given the variety of other small SUV choices out there, the Filipino buyer is spoilt for choice on who to marry. The Venue may have been the girlfriend that’s come back and all, but for all her charm, it’s also hard to see you walking down the aisle with one. For all its traits, none can be considered as clear home runs. Five years ago, she could have been wife material; today, she’s relegated to best friend status.
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2026 Hyundai Venue GLS 1.6 AT |
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| Bottom Line | |
| Pros | Surprisingly timeless looks, well-built for its price, spacious for its size. |
| Cons | Coarse-sounding engine, fuel economy could be better. |
| TL;DR | It's comeback to satisfy the need for a small, entry-level SUV in Hyundai line-up, but it could be more competitive overall. |
| Ownership | |
| Year Introduced | 2020 (Refreshed: 2025) |
| Warranty | 5 years / 200,000 kilometers |
| The Basics | |
| Body Type | Sub-compact SUV |
| Seating | 5 |
| Engine / Drive | F/F |
| Under the Hood | |
| Displacement (liters) | 1.6 |
| Aspiration | Normally Aspirated |
| Fuel Delivery | EFI |
| Layout / # of Cylinders | I4 |
| Maximum Output (PS @ rpm) | 123 @ 6,300 |
| Maximum Torque (Nm @ rpm) | 151 @ 4,850 |
| Fuel / Min. Octane | Gasoline / ~91 |
| Transmission | 6 AT |
| Cruise Control | None |
| Fuel Economy (km/L) @ Ave. Speed (km/h) |
7.94 km/L @ 14 km/h, 11.36 km/L @ 28 km/h |
| Fuel Tank Size (L) | 45 |
| Dimensions and Weights | |
| Length (mm) | 4,040 |
| Width (mm) | 1,770 |
| Height (mm) | 1,565 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2,570 |
| Curb Weight (kg) | 1,232 |
| Suspension and Tires | |
| Front Suspension | Independent, MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam Axle |
| Front Brakes | Vented Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Disc |
| Parking Brake | Hand-Type |
| Tires |
Nexen NFera SU1 205/55R17 H (f & r) |
| Recommended Tire Pressure (PSI) | 33, all |
| Wheels | Alloy |
| Safety Features | |
| Airbags | 2 |
| Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) | Yes, with EBD |
| Traction / Stability Control | Yes |
| Parking Sensors | Yes, Rear |
| Parking Camera | Yes, Rear |
| Front Seatbelts | 3-pt ELR w/ pre-tensioners x 2 |
| Rear Seatbelts | 3-pt ELR x 3 |
| ISOFIX Child Seat Anchor | Yes |
| Advanced Driver Assist System | None |
| Other Safety Features | Hillstart Assist Control |
| Exterior Features | |
| Headlights | Halogen |
| Fog Lamps | None |
| Light Operation | Automatic |
| Wiper Operation | Variable Intermittent |
| Tailgate | Manual |
| Interior Features | |
| Steering Wheel Adjust | Tilt/Telescopic |
| Steering Wheel Material | Leather |
| Seating Adjustment (driver) | Manual, 6-way |
| Seating Adjustment (front passenger) | Manual, 4-way |
| Seating Surface | Fabric |
| 2nd Row | 60/40 Split Fold |
| 3rd Row | None |
| Sunroof | None |
| Multi-Information Display / Size | Yes, 4.2-inch |
| Convenience Features | |
| Power Steering | Yes |
| Power Door Locks | Yes |
| Power Windows | Yes |
| Power Mirrors | Yes, w/ Fold |
| Rear View Mirror | Day/Night |
| Proximity Key | Yes |
| Climate Control | Manual |
| Audio System |
Stereo USB Type A USB Type C Bluetooth |
| Wireless Charger | None |
| Infotainment Display / Size | 8-inch |
| Smartphone Connectivity |
Apple CarPlay (Wireless) Android Auto |
| # of Speakers | 4 |
| Steering Controls | Yes |
998k can get you a jaecoo5 hybrid.
ReplyDeleteWay way way better than this venue.. just saying.
yea go support south china sea
Deletetheyre buying you for that
Some people would choose to avoid getting a vehicle owned by the CCP Invasion Government.
DeleteYou can support the country's sovereignty while getting something practical for yourself. The world's not black and white.
Deletekeep making reasons for it
Deletethose chinese car companies support south china sea and you are funding them no matter what your reasons are
Too bad your complaining will get you nowhere. They've taken over many markets in the country already. Stuff like cellphones are like 80% chinese brand ownership here. Same with household appliances too. Bought a General Electric appliance recently? That's owned by Haier.
DeleteYou don't like hearing reasons? Go ahead and keep posting while (figuratively) covering your ears.
ALL chinese companies are expected to follow CCP rules and foreign policy. People know their purchases are going to chinese companies. They don't care. A car is like the second most expensive thing (after a house) a person will spend on in their lifetime. People will compromise when it comes down to it.
Lastly, this is a car website. People talk about cars. Chinese cars will be talked about. You'll end up like the crazy person outside the building holding a sign instead of talking to the people inside and then maybe someone would listen.
Uly, that 6-speed AT, over a CVT and DCT, could be a deal breaker. But of course, the fuel efficiency is affected...
ReplyDeleteFor some, they prefer the ease of repair ng Torque Converter Automatic.
DeleteDifferent strokes for different folks kumbaga
Cant believe someone nowadays would deliberately want a cvt or dct vs a reliable torque converter.
DeleteIf you want a vehicle to stay with you for a good 10 years or more with far lesd transmission headache, the conventional automatic transmission (torque converter) is still the best way to go. Or manual, if you are into that.
DeleteBaka bata pa o mahilig magtapon ng pera si anonymous 6:25pm. Not in tune with reality
DeleteTop notch writing, as usual. Really enjoy reading carguideph reviews.
ReplyDeleteThere is already a new one. Hyundai PH needs to rethink their efforts here in SEA and specifically in PH, they once had the number 3 spot but product planning and marketing efforts are really a mess right now.
ReplyDeleteGood engine for its size because the 1.6L naturally aspirated engine produces 123 PS and 151 Nm, which is more displacement and output than many small crossovers in this class.
ReplyDelete