VENUE, VIDI, VICI
The Hyundai Venue isn’t sporty or much fun to drive, but it’s straight-
forward, charming, utilitarian, and exactly what the market wants right
now. And starting at about $18,500, it’s a high-value proposition. It
immediately makes sense at first sight.
In Hyundai’s 2020 lineup, the Venue slides in beneath the Kona as the
smallest and least expensive of five SUVs. It’s got a handsome boxy
design, an available contrasting-color roof, and a grille big enough to
barbecue a side of beef. There’s some Nissan Kicks in it, some Toyota
Land Cruiser, and some of Hyundai’s own Palisade, too.
The one we drove had the steering wheel on the right (meaning
wrong) side. That’s because we were in Australia, and the Venues to be
sold there are slightly different from the ones that will come to the U.S.
The 121-hp 1.6-liter inline-four will be the same, but where the Oz-spec
automatic is a conventional six-speed, we’ll be getting a continuously
variable transmission for the upper trim. A six-speed manual will be
offered on base models in both markets, and neither is getting all-wheel
drive. The Venues we drove Down Under were all Elite models on 17s.
That’s likely close to the SEL trim that will be sold here.
However and wherever, the Venue is built to mosey. Maybe it will run
to 60 mph in under 10 seconds. Or maybe it will take longer. The six-
speed automatic is nice, but maybe the ute will be quicker with the CVT.
Or maybe not. Don’t worry about this.
The Venue’s powertrain runs like the
small, proven economy-car system it is.
The chassis rides well and the brakes
can be described as functional. What’s
going to sell it are the attractive interior
and electronic gadgets. That includes
navigation, forward- collision warning,
lane-keeping minders, and rear parking
sensors to go with the rearview camera.
An 8.0-inch touchscreen atop the dash
works well with both Android Auto and
Apple CarPlay. It’s kind of like another
Korean icon, the Samsung Galaxy
Note10. It’s functional and intuitive,
and Hyundai should easily sell a
bazillion of them.
2020 HYUNDAI VENUE ~ BY JOHN PEARLEY HUFFMAN
the numbers
Vehicle Type: front-engine,
front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger,
4-door hatchback
Base ...................... $18,500 (est)
Engine: DOHC 16-valve 1.6-liter
inline-4, 121 hp (est), 113 lb-ft (est)
Transmissions: 6-speed manual,
continuously variable automatic
Dimensions- Wheelbase ............................. 99.2 in
- L/W/H .................. 159.0/69.7/61.6 in
- Curb Weight ......................... 2750 lb
Performance (C/D est) - 60 mph ................................... 9.9 sec
- 1/4-Mile ................................ 17.8 sec
- Top Speed ............................ 115 mph
EPA Comb/City/Hwy ............ 30–32/
27–30/34–35 mpg
Even in the inner sanctum of the Church
of Wealth and Privilege that is
Casino Square in Monte Carlo, the
202 0 Bentley Flying Spur gets its
due adoration. That’s no small feat
considering the nonstop procession
of idols from Ferrari, Lamborghini,
and Rolls-Royce also v ying for wor-
ship in the Square.
So it’s clear that the Flying Spur
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English luxury in a way the earlier
versions did not. The nose now gets
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the gleaming hood ornament.
You’d be hard-pressed to tell
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is based on the same basic platform
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amera. The new version has a 1 25 .7-
inch wheelbase, 5 .0 inches longer
than the outgoing model’s. Most of
that extra length goes toward add-
ing some space between the leading
edge of the front doors and the front
wheel wells. The Spur now has a gen-
erous dash-to-axle ratio.
The interior is predictably roomy
for front and rear occupants. The2020 BENTLEY FLYING SPUR
~ BY DANIEL PUNDThe Idol Rich
With a new grille of exceptional
splendor, the lesser Bentley
sedan finally gets its moment of
veneration.88