Hyundai has yet again marked its presence in the compact SUV segment in India with the launch of the Venue. Available at an introductory price of Rs 6.5 lakhs, the Venue emerges as a strong contender in its segment and competes fiercely against the likes of the Mahindra XUV300 in India. Both the vehicles are available in petrol and diesel engine options. So how do these new kids on the block stack up against each other on paper? We find out.
Exterior
The newly launched Hyundai compact SUV is based on a new design language where the daytime running lamps are integrated on the top and the headlamps are mounted onto the bumper. The compact SUV comes with flared wheel arches and 17-inch wheels which give it a muscular stance. The top-spec SX (O) models further get an all-black theme with faux brushed aluminium trim.
The Mahindra XUV300, on the other hand, gets a cheetah-inspired character with single unit headlamps, fog lamps and LED DRLs that give it a sharp and aggressive front end. The compact SUV rides on 17-inch alloy wheels and boasts of a best-in-segment wheelbase of 2,600mm. Furthermore, the stylish LED taillamps, a well-sculpted tailgate and the roof-mounted spoiler elevate its sporty appeal. The recently launched XUV300 is available in four variants - W4, W6, W8 and W8(O).
Interior
The Hyundai Venue gets a single-tone all-black interior. The vehicle is loaded with features such as electric sunroof, eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, projector headlamps with LED DRLs, automatic climate control with rear AC vents and more. As for safety and convenience, the Venue will get six airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors with camera, electronic stability control, hill launch assist and more.
The Mahindra XUV300 is offered with a two-tone cabin along with a three-spoke steering wheel. The vehicle also offers enough storage slots for phones, bottles, wallet and more. It further gets a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system, sunroof, leather seats and push-button start function. Additionally, it comes with a silver finish on the dash and centre console with piano black touches on the door armrest.
Engine
Mechanically, the newly launched Hyundai Venue gets one diesel and two petrol options. The petrol engines comprise a 1.2-litre unit and a turbocharged 1.0-litre gasoline direct injection unit. The former is the unit found in the Grand i10 and Elite i20 which generates 81bhp/114Nm while the GDI unit generates 118bhp/171Nm. There’s only a five-speed manual for the 1.2-litre engine while the latter is offered with a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual clutch automatic.
The Mahindra XUV300 petrol is powered by a 1.2-litre engine that produces 110bhp of power at 5000rpm and 200Nm of torque at 2000-3500rpm. The diesel version is powered by a 1.5-litre engine that generates 115bhp of power at 3750rpm and 300Nm of torque at 1500-2500rpm. Both the engines come mated to a six-speed manual transmission.