The Hyundai Venue has returned, and it will have to face some new entry-level subcompact crossover rivals that were introduced during its absence in the local market. For this comparo, we’ll be pitting the higher-trim Hyundai Venue GLS against its similarly priced cousin, the Kia Sonet EX.
The Venue measures 4,040mm long, 1,770mm wide, and 1,565mm tall—this makes it 70mm shorter, 20mm narrower, and 77mm lower than the Sonet. Hyundai Motor Philippines uses the same figures for all variants, but based on the Korean specs, 20mm is added to the height if equipped with 17-inch wheels, like the one that comes standard on the Venue GLS. At 1,585mm, the difference in height with the Sonet shrinks to 57mm.
The Hyundai rides on a 2,520mm wheelbase, which is 20mm greater between the axles than its Kia cousin. The Venue GLS is equipped with 25.9-inch-diameter 205/55 R17 tires, or an inch bigger than the Sonet EX’s 24.9-inch-diameter 205/55 R16 rubber. The Hyundai has 170mm of ground clearance, making it 35mm lower than the Sonet.
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Here’s a bonus comparison: The Venue is 45mm longer, 5mm wider, and 15mm taller than the new Suzuki Fronx GL. Both crossovers have the same 2520mm wheelbase and 170mm ground clearance. If we use the Korean figures of the Venue with 17s, the height difference increases to 35mm.
Note that the Venue GLS variant with 17s could have a slightly higher ground clearance than the published 170mm figure that Hyundai uses for all Korean-made variants, regardless of wheel and tire package. The diameter of the GLS’s 205/55 R17 tire is 1.4 inches greater than the lower spec Venue’s 185/65 R15 rubber.
Here’s a quick refresher for the main featured vehicles: The Venue is Hyundai’s entry-level subcompact crossover. Unlike other vehicles in its segment, it has a large-for-its-class 1.6-liter gasoline mill which pumps out a healthy 121hp and 151Nm of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. In the Philippines, it’s the lone South Korean-built model in its segment.
The Sonet is Kia’s counterpart of the Venue. As you can see in our size comparo figures, the Sonet rides on the shorter wheelbase shared with the sub-four-meter Indian-market Venue. It’s powered by a smaller 1.5-liter gas unit which puts out 113hp and 144Nm of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels through an IVT (Hyundai and Kia’s continuous variable transmission). Both crossovers have base variants with manual transmissions.
How much are these entry-level subcompact crossovers? The Venue GLS costs P998,000, while the Sonet EX, on the other hand, is priced at P1,018,000. Just in case you were wondering, the base non-hybrid Fronx GL carries a P1,059,000 price tag.
What do you think of the Hyundai Venue? Would you consider it over its similar-priced cousin, the Kia Sonet? Let us know in the comments.
