theVenuegetsstabilitycontrol,abs, andhill-assist,apartfrom
automaticheadlamps,IsoFIXchild-seatanchors,andsixairbags:
twoeachfront,sideandcurtainairbags.the XUV300 tops that
withsevenairbags—thesameset-upastheVenueplusonedriver
kneeairbag.Furthermore,it’stheonlyonewithallfourdiscbrakes.
ItgetsesP withroll-overmitigation,hill-startassist,heatedwing-
mirrors,tyre-pressuremonitor(evenforthespare),andIsoFIX
child-seatanchors.theecosportgetsa similarset-upastheVenue,
withabs, stabilityandtractioncontrol,hilllaunchassistaswellas
IsoFIXchild-seatanchors.However,unliketheothertwo, the
ecosportgetsIsoFIX only in the top two variants.
Drive
theVenue,withits 220 nm and six-speed gearbox can be
effortlesslydriveninearlygearswithoutbotheringabouttheclutch
pedalastheheftyidletorquemapdoesitsjobmorethanwell
enough.theacceleratorpedalfeltfartooimmediateinresponseto
my liking,butmy colleaguesfeltotherwise.Even so,therefinement
is fantastic.the1.4crdi diesel does duty in the heavier Verna and
cretaandfeelspeppyintheVenue.that shows in its acceleration
figures, gettingupto 100 km/hin14.4 seconds,after hitting60in
just5.6seconds,withthepowerdeliverytaperingoffslightlyasthe
revsrise.thesteeringfeelis excellentandtheVenuefeelsagileand
nimble.the ride quality is very good and it handles rough roads and
changesofdirectionwell.However,someungainlybumpsledtoa
thudfromtherearaxle,mostlydowntosoftrebounddamping.
either way, next to nothing manages to upset it. Under braking at
speed, however, the Venue gets a little unsettled, so coming to a stop
is best done gradually. It prefers relaxed driving and feels good
doingwhatit doesbest:beinga well-equippedcitycrossoverupfor
anoccasionalhighwaytrip.It’salsovery efficient,clocking15km/
litreinthecityand 20 onthehighway.that’sanoverall16.25and
rangeofaround 730 kmconsideringthe45-litretank.
theFordecosport is a dynamically-gifted car, as is every Ford,
and, thus, is fun to drive in all conditions. Its high ground clearance
isaboon forbadorfloodedroads anditfeelsextremelycapable all-
round. Itsproportionsare rathercuriousatfirst,butonce
accustomed,it’squitethecompactcar.theturningcircleradius,at
5.3 metres, is pretty tight, too.the engine may be an old-schoolShootout | HyundaiVenuevRivals
102 carindia August 2019 http://www.carindia.in