HAVE you ever seen a building that looks average sized from the outside, and then when you walk through the door, you’re left bewildered by the amount of open space inside? Well that’s exactly what it’s like when you jump into the 2020 Hyundai Venue Go.
From the outside, it looks like a small SUV, or a compact sedan that has experienced an above average growth spurt. You could be mistaken for thinking it’s both. The bonnet of a car seems to converge with an SUV look with a taller roof, and a big hatchback rear end.
Lots of plastic skirting around the fenders and borders of the exterior make the look feel a little overprotected and economical. However, a practical utility can be seen, especially when dealing with today’s parking lots and stone chips from roadworks.
Hub caps on 15-inch steel wheels add an extra layer of protection but detract from the modern aesthetic. The wheels can feel disproportionate considering the size of cabin sitting on top of it. In saying that, there is an amazing benefit from this combination.
If you are someone with challenges entering and exiting vehicles, then you will truly appreciate the low floor and high ceiling of the Venue Go. It felt like walking into a room, which had a small step.
The unique combination of sedan and SUV makes it an absolute blessing for people with mobility or flexibility challenges. Once you’re in the cabin, then brace yourself for technology.
Hyundai continue to impress with their technology features and driver safety inclusions, even with base model or entry level models, such as the Venue Go. It begins with a sleek 8-inch touchscreen display in the centre of the dashboard.
Plug in your mobile device to enjoy Apple CarPlay or Android Auto as standard. Pop it into reverse, and your trusty reverse camera takes over the screen, keen to guide you into that perfect parking spot.
There’s a single USB port in the centre console, next to a 12V port for an additional in-car charging station if you so desire. Six airbags surround you for safety when it matters, and that’s not the end of it.
The Hyundai Smart Sense package is a standard inclusion in the Venue Go, and that’s quite the inclusion. Let’s start with driver attention warning, which ensures you haven’t wandered off into nature when your eyes should be on the road.
You also get forward collision avoidance, in case you’re reading a sign and haven’t realised the car in front has stopped abruptly. We experienced this firsthand, and that audible alert was literally the difference between a rear-ender and stopping in time.
High beam assist too was a such a relief on our cruise from Sydney to Wollongong at 11pm at night. It takes care of itself by dimming upon detection of an oncoming vehicle, and then switching back on once the vehicle has passed.
Even more impressive was its accuracy. Almost every car was detected, and even with a concrete divider for parts of the highway. Finally, lane keep assist (LKA) provides steering wheel feedback and guides you back into the centre of your lane to keep you safe.
The updated version of the software behind LKA also feels more accurate and appropriate, less over protective. All of this translates to a lot of value considering the price of $22,985 drive away for the manual. Top that off with a 5-year unlimited kilometre warranty.
Your 2020 Venue Go is equipped with a 1.6 litre 4-cylinder petrol engine, in either manual or automatic. It’s a solid power plant, but does struggle to climb big hills, especially when it’s fully loaded, but more on that in a moment.
This engine really speaks three words for the owner: economy, economy, and some more economy. We averaged around 500–600km per full 45-litre tank of fuel. Hyundai claims 7.0-litres/100km in consumption in the manual variant.
Space is such an upside to this vehicle, and we put it to good use. This author’s television decided to give up the ghost, so off we went to buy a 55-inch television. With the rear seats laid down, it fit perfectly in the back, box and all.
The 2020 Hyundai Venue Go achieves four valuable concepts; value, comfort, space and safety. It also comes in a vast array of colours, including Phantom Black, Intense Blue, Cosmic Grey, The Denim, Polar White, Typhoon Silver and Fiery Red.
Our test vehicle was provided by Hyundai Australia. To find out more about the 2020 Hyundai Venue Go, contact your local Hyundai dealer.
Not one of my favourite car segments, but a good and informative review from Sabih Dean. This standard is not surprising given his motor sport pedigree