The Hyundai Venue compact SUV receives the “N Line” treatment. We find out if that catapults it into the performance segment.
The “N Line” badge means Hyundai are serving up something special for the enthusiasts in their fold. Following the positive reception of the i20 N Line, I, like many others, also expected the “N Line” badge to make an appearance on one of the sedans or the Grand i10 NIOS, but the Korean major had other plans. The recently facelifted Venue became the second car to receive “N Line” credentials and we got a chance to sample it during a short drive.
The styling remains largely similar to the standard car’s but the Venue N Line gets model-specific styling elements. These include a dark chrome front grille with “N Line” logo, special bumpers with skid-plates, roof-rails and side sills with red inserts, 16-inch wheels, and red front brake calipers. The twin-tip silencer is my favourite addition among these new features.
Similar treatment has been executed in the interior as well. The N Line branding has been distributed generously throughout the cabin, being featured on multiple items, including the seats, steering wheel, and gear-knob. Additionally, the car also gets red ambient lighting and sporty metal pedals. The highlight for me is the dashboard camera. It records both in-cabin and exterior footage with 64 GB storage and multiple video options; could prove invaluable in the urban chaos. Hyundai have left the dimensions of the cabin untouched, so this one is just as spacious as a regular Venue.
The N Line Venue gets only one engine and transmission option: the familiar combination of the 1.0-litre, three-cylinder, turbo-petrol and the seven-speed DCT. In spite of the sporty badge, the power and torque figures remain the same at 120 hp and 172 Nm of peak torque but significant changes have been made to enhance the driving experience, particularly in Sport mode. First of these is the exhaust system that sings a sporty tune that one may not immediately associate with a compact SUV but will certainly be appreciated as the revs rise. The steering has been reworked to return a more positive feel and guiding the car through corners is a rewarding experience that will send one back for more runs. The Venue N Line feels as sharp, composed, and planted through a corner as a compact SUV can and the credit goes to the suspension upgrade. The compression and rebound damping of the set-up has been made stiffer, which supplements spirited driving, but some ride quality was sacrificed in that bargain. Even so, the ride is not particularly harsh in most city conditions. To drive fast confidently, the brakes need to be potent and Hyundai have ensured that by equipping this car with disc brakes all around.
With these upgrades, the Venue N Line joins the upper echelon of compact sport utility vehicles (SUV) that are exciting to drive. Two variants are on offer: the N6 and the N8. The former is priced at Rs 12.16 lakh and the fully loaded latter costs Rs 13.15 lakh (both ex-showroom).
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