An upgrade for Hyundai’s cheapest car in Australia is due in showrooms soon. It gains more features and clever connected-car tech but misses out on more comprehensive updates introduced overseas.
An updated 2023 Hyundai Venue city SUV is due in Australian showrooms before the end of this year – but it is not as comprehensive as the mid-life facelift being introduced overseas.
Dealers have been advised of upgrades across the Venue range for Model Year 2023, with more standard features, the addition of Hyundai’s Bluelink connected-car system in the flagship Elite, and price rises of up to $960.
However, Australian cars miss out on the facelifted look debuted in India, with a restyled front end inspired by the large Palisade seven-seater, new rear bumper, and full-width LED tail-lights, plus a Tucson-style steering wheel and a new, sportier N Line variant.
These changes appears to be exclusive to Venue models built in India, sold there or exported to markets such as South Africa. Venues sold in Australia, South Korea and the US are built in South Korea.
Differences between Indian and South Korean Venues are more than skin deep; the Indian cars sit on a shorter floorpan and wear lower-profile bumpers, unlocking lower tax rates in India for cars below four metres long – and are likely built to less stringent safety standards.
While the new look might not be coming here – even though the Venue is due for a facelift, launching three years ago – Australian Venues are expected gain extra technology for 2023, accompanied by price rises of $140 to $960.
Dealers have been advised all Venue models will gain a wireless smartphone charger, an extra front USB port, and a restyled instrument cluster, with digitised readouts and a 4.2-inch driver display (replacing two analogue dials and a 3.5-inch screen).
Also expected to be new is Rear Occupant Alert – which reminds the driver to check the rear seats before exiting the car – and a pole-style antenna, replacing the low-profile ‘shark fin’.
The flagship Venue Elite is the second Hyundai model in Australia to offer Bluelink, which presents owners a variety of remote-control functions through a smartphone app, from remote unlocking to vehicle status.
These include an automatic collision notification, auto SOS emergency call function, weather and calendar integration, a ‘valet mode’, voice control, “connected” navigation, and a selection of remote functions.
Also new for the 2023 Venue Elite – which is hit with the largest price rise of any variant, at $960 – is an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, and two USB ports for rear-seat passengers.
Buyers are expected to continue to have a choice of base Venue, mid-spec Active and high-grade Elite variants, all powered by a 1.6-litre non-turbo four-cylinder petrol engine sending 90kW and 151Nm to the front wheels.
A six-speed manual transmission is only available in the base Venue, as it is expected to be deleted for 2023 models. A six-speed automatic costs $2000 extra on the base model, or as standard on other models.
Changes to the colour palette are also anticipated for 2023. Premium paint continues to cost $595 extra – while a two-tone finish for the roof, mirrors and body garnish is available on the Elite (though it comes at the cost of the electric sunroof).
The 2023 Hyundai Venue is now rolling off production lines in South Korea, ahead of first showroom arrivals expected before the end of this year.
2023 Hyundai Venue Australian pricing
- Venue manual – $21,900 (up $160)
- Venue auto – $23,900 (up $140)
- Venue Active auto – $26,000 (up $310)
- Venue Elite auto – $28,500 (up $960)
Note: All prices exclude on-road costs.
2023 Hyundai Venue standard features include:
- 15-inch alloy wheels
- 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless/wired Android Auto, Bluetooth
- 4.2-inch driver instrument display (new)
- Four-speaker sound system
- Wireless smartphone charging (new)
- One extra front USB port (new)
- Cloth seat upholstery
- Dusk-sensing halogen headlights with daytime-running lights, auto high beam
- Reversing camera
- Power windows and locks
- Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Lane-keep assist
- Driver attention warning
- Rear occupant alert (new)
- Cruise control
- Tyre pressure monitoring
- Six airbags
2023 Hyundai Venue Active adds (over Venue):
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Rear parking sensors
- Six-speaker sound system
- ‘Premium’ cloth seat trim
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever
- Power-folding side mirrors with inbuilt indicators
- LED daytime-running lights
2023 Hyundai Venue Elite adds (over Active):
- Bluelink connectivity (new)
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror (new)
- Two rear USB ports (new)
- Satellite navigation
- Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wireless removed)
- Automatic climate-control air conditioning
- Electric sunroof
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- LED tail-lights
- Rear privacy glass (tinted windows)
- Auto up/down for driver’s window
The post 2023 Hyundai Venue update due in Australia within weeks appeared first on Drive.
