Hyundai Venue VS Peugeot 2008
Hyundai Venue
Likes
Dislikes
Peugeot 2008
Likes
- Good looks
- Charming engine
- Affordable servicing
Dislikes
- Stiff suspension
- High price
- Driver display hard to see
Summary
Hyundai Venue
Rising interest rates and the cost of living is causing many household budgets to tighten and for many of us big purchases are being rethought. A lot of people are asking if they really do need another large car especially in the city; or if it is the right time to buy an EV when they’re still so expensive?
That’s why we've decided to present you with a comparison of affordable urban alternatives to 'going big 'or 'switching to electric'. We've put two of the cheapest and smallest SUVs from Hyundai and Kia in a head-to-head battle.
That’s right, we have the Kia Stonic GT-Line versus the Hyundai Venue Elite - two very similar SUVs – from the same parent company – which share a lot of the same engineering parts, tech and features.
Read more about the Hyundai Venue and Kia Stonic
But as we found out, one of these two very similar SUVs stood out as better for value, safety, tech and practicality. Yup, we’ve done the testing for you, including how much fuel each uses and what they’re like to drive.
Which one wins? You’ll see...
| Safety rating | — |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 1.0L turbo |
| Fuel Type | — |
| Fuel Efficiency | 5.4L/100km |
| Seating | 5 seats |
Peugeot 2008
Looks are subjective but Peugeot’s updated 2008 small SUV is good looking from every angle.
The update brings a raft of design tweaks and some tech upgrades, but mechanically there isn’t anything new.
It’s not a cheap car and its diminutive size might scare off some buyers who can cross-shop cheaper and more value focused alternatives from mainstream Japanese and Korean brands.
Read more about
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We are driving the range-topping 2008 GT variant to find out if it’s more than just a pretty face.
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 1.2L turbo |
| Fuel Type | — |
| Fuel Efficiency | 6.5L/100km |
| Seating | 5 seats |
Verdict
Hyundai Venue/10
If there’s proof that not all SUVs are exactly alike - even two like the Stonic and Venue which are so similar that they even share parts - then this comparison is all the evidence you need.
Both SUVs are good choices, you can’t really go wrong. But one of them is clearly a better choice for those looking more value for money, along with extra practicality, safety equipment and tech - and that’s the Venue Elite.
Sure, the Venue Elite doesn’t get the Stonic GT-Line’s sporty turbo engine and dual-clutch transmission, but for the everyday driver we feel the Venue’s smooth automatic and fuss-free engine make for better city driving.
So, the Venue wins here. Along with being better to drive in the city, it's smaller in size for better parking, the visibility is better from the driver's seat, the big and clear digital speed is vital in urban areas, and it does a better job of tech and practicality, too.
 | Kia Stonic GT-Line | Hyundai Venue Elite |
Price and features | 7 | 9 |
Design | 8 | 8 |
Practicality | 8 | 10 |
Under the bonnet | 8 | 7 |
Efficiency | 8 | 8 |
Safety | 8 | 8 |
Ownership | 8 | 8 |
Driving | 7 | 8 |
OVERALL | 7.8 | 8.3 |
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Peugeot 20087.2/10
The Peugeot 2008 is a handsome and accomplished little SUV that’s fun to drive and has a cabin that feels a little bit special.
In reality the 2008 is too expensive and isn’t as practical as most of the mainstream compact SUVs.
This is the car you buy with your heart, not with your head.
Design
Hyundai Venue
The Stonic and Venue are like sisters in that they share the same engineering genes and tech from parent company Hyundai, but they are anything but identical.
The Stonic looks more like a raised, sporty hatchback with its narrower windows, pointy nose and a sloping tailgate.
The Venue has a more traditional upright and boxy SUV shape with a rugged but cute look.
Both are premium looking in their design from the crisp edges in the metal work to the LED running lights.
The premium look almost carries through to the cabins with sporty fabric seats and modern dashboards, but both have hard plastics used in the door trims which lowers the tone to a budget feel.
The Stonic’s carbon fibre-effect trim on the dash is good, but the Venue pulls off a more youthful, techy look with white elements around the air vents and a digital driver display.  Â
The Stonic measures 4140mm end-to-end and 1760mm wide, while the Venue is 4040mm in length, 4040mm long and 1770mm across.
What’s interesting is that despite the Venue being shorter in length, it has better practicality. Let’s talk about that.Â
| Â | Kia Stonic GT-Line | Hyundai Venue Elite |
Length | 4140 | 4040 |
Height | 1520 | 1592 |
Width | 1760 | 1770 |
Ground clearance | 183 | 170 |
Wheel base | 2580 | 2520 |
Â
Kia Stonic GT-Line | Hyundai Venue Elite |
8 | 8 |
Peugeot 2008
The Peugeot 2008 is a smooth operator with head-turning French flair, but the devil is in the detail.
It’s not just the 2008’s well proportioned dimensions or the healthy dollop of exterior black highlights that catch your eye, but Peugeot has added a range of design cues to symbolise the Lion on its badge.
The tail-lights have a 3D effect that make them look like cat’s claws and the daytime running lights on the front resemble a scratch mark. These pair perfectly with the lion head crest on the grille.
Look deeper and you notice the attention to detail.
The 2008's redesigned front grille's slates are colour matched to the car's body colour.
Dual exhaust pipes are finished in chrome, giving the impression of performance even if the car doesn’t deliver on it.
The GT variant gets a two-tone paint job with a black roof contrasting with the body's colour.
Inside there are plenty of high quality finishes. The centre console is festooned in gloss black and there is a lovely carbon-effect textured insert on the dash and doors.Â
Some hard plastics below eye-level and on touch points such as where your knee might rub are less impressive. The rear seat loses some of the lustre of the front pew with tough plastics covering the back of the front seats and most of the doors.
Practicality
Hyundai Venue
SUVs should be practical regardless of how small they might be. So along with enough room to seat five people, the Stonic and Venue have to be functional, versatile and have a reasonably sized boot.
Well, let’s start with the boots - both have impressively large cargo capacity for SUVs this small. The Stonic’s boot volume is 332 litres, while the Venue’s is 355 litres.Â
In the video of this comparison, we show how only the Venue’s boot can fit all the CarsGuide luggage and have its tailgate closed. We had to remove the Stonic’s cargo shelf to fit the same amount of luggage.
That leaves you with a cargo cover you have to either keep in the second row or leave behind.
The Venue has an ingenious solution to that cargo cover problem - a sidling rail which will accommodate the cover flat against the second row seat backs.Â
As for cabin storage, only the Venue gets a shelf above the glove box opening, but both SUVs have two cupholders up front and bottle holders in the doors.
The Venue is better for power and charging outlets with two USB ports, a 12V point, and a wireless phone charger up front and two USB ports in the second row.Â
The Stonic doesn’t have a wireless phone charger, and along with a 12V outlet, has just one USB port in the front and one in the back.
The Venue also just beats the Stonic for rear headroom and legroom, but I have to say that even at 189cm tall, I can just fit behind my driving position in both and that’s pretty amazing given the tiny size of these SUVs.Â
| Â | Kia Stonic GT-Line | Hyundai Venue Elite |
Boot space (behind second row) | 332L | 355L |
Cupholders | 2 | 2 |
USB ports 1st row | 1 Type A  | 1 Type A 1 Type C |
USB ports 2nd row | 1 type A | 2 type C |
12V outlets | 1 | 1 |
Wireless phone charging | No | Yes |
Privacy glass | Yes | Yes |
Directional airvents | No | No |
Roof Rails | Yes | Yes |
Cargo cover | Yes | Yes |
Â
Kia Stonic GT-Line | Hyundai Venue Elite |
8 | 10 |
Peugeot 2008
Step inside and there is no hiding the 2008’s diminutive proportions.
It’s 4300mm long, 1815mm wide and 1550mm high, which puts it closer in size to the mini Mazda CX-3 than the larger CX-30 it is more aligned with price-wise.
This all adds up to a snug fit in whichever row you sit.
There are a couple of cupholders in the centre console - a smaller one for a standard takeaway coffee and a larger one for drink bottles.
Slight storage bins in the door can hold a regular drink bottle but there isn’t much room for much else.
The wireless device charger is hidden away behind a compartment below the central screen that opens with a push and there are two USB-C ports up front and the rear seats score a USB-C and A connection.
Rear seat passengers do without a dedicated aircon vent, unfortunately.
There is an issue with Peugeot’s i-Cockpit steering wheel and digital driver display, too.
If you like to sit low the chances are the steering wheel will cut off your view of the bottom part of the display. If you prefer to have the seat jacked up, you’ll have better vision of the readouts.
There are piano key-like physical controls for simple climate functions such as the de-mister and auto climate settings. More complex functions are done via the 10-inch central multimedia screen.
The boot is a decent size at 434L and can easily handle a weekly grocery shop or a few overnight bags.
There is only a space saver spare wheel, but this car is aimed at city driving where it is easier to source a replacement tyre.
Price and features
Hyundai Venue
We chose the top-of-the-range versions of our two models in this head-to-head, and so they’re also the most expensive in their line-ups.Â
The Kia Stonic GT-Line lists for $30,790 plus on-road costs and the Venue Elite comes in at $28,750. You don’t need to spend this much. The entry grades list in the low $20Ks but you won’t get the same features. Let’s talk about those…
OK, standard features. Both the Stonic GT-Line and the Venue Elite come with 17-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, rear privacy glass, a sunroof, a proximity key and LED daytime running lights.
The Stonic gets LED headlights, too, and they are much brighter and better for dark roads than the yellowish halogen lights on the Venue.
Inside, both come standard with fabric seats and single-zone climate control. They both have a 4.2-inch multifunction display and an 8.0-inch multimedia touchscreen with sat nav, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and digital radio.Â
The Stonic GT-Line has a four-speaker stereo, while the Venue Elite comes with a six-speaker system.
The Venue has a wireless phone charger. That's not offered on the Stonic GT-Line and that's a big miss in my books - wireless phone charging is life-changing and means no more cables or plugging in.
The Hyundai also has a large, clear illuminated speedo that's ideal for the city where school zones, mobile camera and traffic light speed cameras are everywhere. The Kia, on the other hand, has a traditional dial-style speedometer and tachometer.
 | Kia Stonic GT-Line | Hyundai Venue Elite |
Price | $30,790 | $28,750 |
Seat upholstery | Synthetic leather | Cloth |
Climate control | single-zone | single-zone |
Heated wing mirrors | yes | Yes |
Multimedia screen | 8-inch screen | 8-inch screen |
Digital instruments | 4.2-inch | 4.2-inch |
LED running lights | Yes | Yes |
Apple CarPlay/Android Auto | Yes (wired) | Yes (wired) |
Stereo | Four-speaker | six-speaker |
Built-in sat nav | Yes | Yes |
Digital radio | Yes | yes |
Promitiy Key and push-start | Yes | Yes |
Headlights | LED | Projector (Xenon?) |
Wheel size | 17-inch alloy | 17-inch alloy |
Privacy glass | Yes | Yes |
Sunroof | Yes | Yes |
Â
Kia Stonic GT-Line | Hyundai Venue Elite |
7 | 9 |
Peugeot 2008
The 2008 range kicks off at $39,990, before on-road costs, for the base Allure grade and rises to $44,490 for the fully loaded GT variant.
That’s a lot of money for a small SUV, especially considering the Skoda Kamiq range starts at $32,990, you can get Nissan’s Qashqai from $33,890 and a Mazda CX-30 for $33,140.
There is a lot to like about the 2008’s standard equipment list, though.
Flash looking 17-inch alloy wheels are complemented by adaptive LED headlights that control individual LEDs to brighten the road without dazzling oncoming vehicles. The headlights will automatically switch on in low light situations and stay on for a short period of time after you exit the vehicle to make it easier to find your way to the door at night.
A 10-inch multimedia screen is compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless device charger completes the cord-free ecosystem.
Peugeot’s 'i-Cockpit' brings a 10-inch driver display with 3D readouts paired with a small steering wheel.
GT buyers can expect eight colour ambient lighting, a six-speaker stereo, four USB charging ports, in-built sat nav and brushed aluminium foot pedals.
Well bolstered seats are heated up front and wrapped in synthetic suede and leather upholstery with contrast green stitching. The driver’s seat is power adjustable and has a massage function but the front seat passenger will need to move the seat themselves.
There are rain-sensing wipers, roof rails, power folding and heated side mirrors and a space saver spare wheel.
It’s a solid list of equipment but is missing some features you’ll find on similarly priced rivals such as a head-up display.
Under the bonnet
Hyundai Venue
The Stonic GT-Line and Venue Elite may share much of the same engineering, but their engines are very different.
The Venue has 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, while the Stonic has a smaller engine, but it’s a turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol.Â
The Venue’s four-cylinder has more power than the Stonic’s engine but doesn’t feel as sporty and fun as the three-cylinder.
Adding to the sporty feeling of the Stonic’s engine is a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission which shifts intuitively and is vastly different from the traditional six-speed auto in the Venue.
But wait - although the Stonic is equipped with the far better engine and transmission, the driving section of this review discovered that this didn’t translate well for city traffic.
| Â | Kia Stonic GT-Line | Hyundai Venue Elite |
Size and Layout | 1.0-litre 3cyl turbo petrol engine | 1.6-litre V6 petrol engine |
Power/Torque | 74kW/172Nm | 90kW/151Nm |
Transmission | 7-spd dual clutch automatic | 6-spd automatic |
Drivetrain | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
Â
Kia Stonic GT-Line | Hyundai Venue Elite |
8 | 7 |
Peugeot 2008
Lurking beneath the bonnet is a little three-cylinder 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine that makes 96kW and 230Nm. That’s a decent amount of grunt from the little unit, but again you can get more oomph for less from mainstream rivals.
It is paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission that drives the front wheels.
There is no hybrid help, either.
Efficiency
Hyundai Venue
When we test fuel consumption, we carry out a real world exercise in which we fill the tanks, drive the same route taking in a combination of different types of road conditions, and then fill the tanks again to find out how much each car used.Â
We took both the Stonic GT-line and Venue Elite on a 110km round loop of Sydney on a combination of city streets, suburban roads and motorways and as you can see in the table below, both used almost the same amount of fuel.Â
Both of them were impressively efficient, but I was expecting the Stonic to be more so - it should be according to the car makers, but this Stonic was brand new, with only about 500km on the clock and until an engine is completely run in after about 1000km, it will use more fuel. So I have a sneaky suspicion it is more fuel efficient than the Venue.
The Kia Stonic GT-Line with its 1.0-litre engine and 45-litre fuel tank, has a range of approximately 833km, while the Venue Elite with its 1.6-litre engine and 45-litre fuel tank, has a range of about 625km.
| Â | Kia Stonic GT-Line | Hyundai Venue Elite |
Official/combined consumption | 5.4L/100km | 7.2L/100km |
Real-world test | 6.2/100km | 5.7L/100km |
Minimum RON rating | 91RON | 91RON |
Fuel tank size | 45L | 45L |
Approx range | 833km | 625km |
Â
Kia Stonic GT-Line | Hyundai Venue Elite |
8 | 8 |
Peugeot 2008
Stiff emissions regulations in Europe mean these little turbocharged petrol engines have a fair bit of self control on the drink.
Peugeot claims the 2008 uses 5.4L/100km on the combined cycle. We used slightly more than this but spent most of the time in the cut and thrust of city traffic where cars use more fuel.
You’ll need to budget for pricier premium unleaded petrol, too.
Driving
Hyundai Venue
OK, back in the engine section of this comparison I sang the praises of the Stonic’s sporty three-cylinder and dual-clutch auto, and I maintain that it’s the better engine and transmission, but the Venue is better to drive in city traffic.
See, the three-cylinder suffers from turbo lag and the transmission isn’t smooth. Combine this with a stop-start fuel saving system and around town the Stonic is a frustrating SUV to pilot.
The Venue’s dull and far from sporty engine and transmission actually nailed city driving perfectly because of the smooth and fuss-free operation.Â
Both the Stonic and Venue rode and handled almost identically, with the steering in the Venue feeling lighter and easier.
Visibility in the Venue was better than the Stonic due to the Hyundai’s large windows and more elevated seating position, too.
So despite the Stonic’s great little three-cylinder, the Venue wins overall for driving considering that most people will be piloting these little SUVs in the city and suburbs where the Venue is the easiest and best to drive.Â
Kia Stonic GT-Line | Hyundai Venue Elite |
7 | 8 |
Peugeot 2008
On the road the 2008 is a bit temperamental.
Most European cars are fitted with stiffer suspension than the cosseting springs found in Japanese machines.
This means you’ll feel bumps and road imperfections through your seat more than other SUVs. It has particular problems ironing out consistent smaller bumps, which can unsettle it and lead the 2008 to skip across them.
The counterbalance to that is a more dynamic drive experience, with the 2008 exerting excellent body control through the bends as it is held in line by the stiffer set-up.
Pair this with sharp, direct and well-weighted steering and it's a fun little SUV to take on a twisting country back road.
Three cylinders might not sound like a lot, but in the real world this is all the 2008 needs.
Its 96kW and 230Nm won’t set the world on fire but the torque is accessed from just 1750rpm, which endows the 2008 with some punch off the mark and it feels zippy when navigating the daily commute.
Don’t confuse that for outright speed, though, the 2008 completes the benchmark 0-100km/h dash in 9.3 seconds.
The transmission is fine when you are accelerating or cruising at motorway speeds, where it uses its many ratios to keep the engine humming along in its sweet spot. There are paddle shifters if you want more control.
In stop-start traffic it isn’t as an accomplished performer. It can struggle to find the right ratio and this leads to a jerky movement reminiscent of dual-clutch autos.
The cabin is well insulated with the outside world kept mostly at bay, but you’ll hear the three cylinder’s charming little rumble when you put your foot down.
Parking is a cinch thanks to its petite proportions and the 2008 has no issues navigating tight city streets or underground car parks.
Safety
Hyundai Venue
Both the Stonic and Venue have the maximum five-star ANCAP ratings, but the Stonic’s is from 2017 and Venue’s is from 2019, and that’s not as good as a 2023 five-star rating.
Still both have AEB, lane-keeping assistance and blind-spot warning.
The big difference is the Venue has rear cross-traffic alert which will tell you if somebody is about to walk behind the car or if somebody’s driving past while you’re reversing. That's great for driveways and carparks.
For child seats, both the Stonic and Venue have two ISOFIX mounts and three top-tether anchor points.
In their second rows, both have curtain airbags.
Both SUVs have space-saver spare wheels, which give you more room in the boot and is better than a repair kit.
| Â | Kia Stonic GT-Line | Hyundai Venue Elite |
Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
Lane keep assist | Yes | Yes |
Blind spot monitoring | Yes | Yes |
Rear cross traffic alert | No | Yes |
Rear AEB | No | No |
Front and rear parking sensors | Rear only | Rear only |
Airbags | 7 | 7 |
Airbags 3rd row coverage | Yes | Yes |
Child seat ISOFIX | 2 x 2nd row | 3 x 2nd row |
Child seat top tether | 3 x 2nd row | 3 x 2nd row |
Camera | Reversing | Reversing |
ANCAP rating (year tested) | Five (2017) | Four (2019) |
Â
Kia Stonic GT-Line | Hyundai Venue Elite |
8 | 8 |
Peugeot 2008
The 2008 has a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating, but that mark was given in 2020 and it might not get the same score if it was retested today.
It has six airbags, but misses out on a centre airbag that protects against head clashes in a side on collision.
It has a decent amount of safety equipment with auto emergency braking, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.
Rear cross-traffic alert, which sounds an alarm if a car is approaching from the side as you reverse, is a notable absence.
Ownership
Hyundai Venue
The Stonic is covered by Kia’s seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty while the Venue has Hyundai’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre coverage.
The Stonic has capped-price servicing and, averaged over five years, it’s about $430 per year. The Venue doesn’t have capped-price servicing, but you can get a plan which works out at about $315 per year on average for each service.
| Â | Kia Stonic GT-Line | Hyundai Venue Elite |
Warranty length | Five-year/unlimited km | Seven-year/unlimited km |
Yearly average service price (over five years) | $432 | $315Â |
Service interval | 12mnths/10,000km | 12mnths/15,000km |
Free roadside assistance | ? | ? |
Â
Kia Stonic GT-Line | Hyundai Venue Elite |
8 | 8 |
Peugeot 2008
Peugeot covers the 2008 with a five year/unlimited km warranty, which is the standard coverage today.
The French brand offers a range of prepaid servicing packs that’ll save you a handy amount compared to pay-as-you-go maintenance.
A five-year plan is the best value, costing $1700 for five scheduled visits every 12 months or 15,000km. That’s $638 cheaper than the pay-as-you-go servicing.