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Hyundai Venue


Suzuki S-Cross

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.

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 Type1.0L turbo
Fuel Type
Fuel Efficiency5.4L/100km
Seating5 seats

Suzuki S-Cross

Would you consider a European-made small SUV with a terrific turbo engine from one of our all-time favourite hot hatches, a reliable torque-converter auto, ample room for five plus luggage, and all from under $40K?

You’d be at the very least a bit curious, right?

Behold the latest Suzuki S-Cross! Okay. It’s been around the sun nearly a dozen times. And you can clock its age in a couple of key areas.

But this crossover from the class of 2013 is not even close to being the oldest-in-show (stand up, Mitsubishi ASX). And, as our testing revealed, the S-Cross can still teach far newer rivals like the Kia Seltos, Mazda CX-30, Haval Jolion and Subaru Crosstrek a thing or two.

Because thoughtful design is timeless. Time, then, to crack open the S-Cross.

Safety rating
Engine Type1.4L turbo
Fuel Type
Fuel Efficiency6.2L/100km
Seating5 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

 


Suzuki S-Cross7.1/10

Back in the day, you’d hear people say they’d never buy an all-new car, but instead get the last of the old model that would have had all the bugs ironed out.

If this sort of homespun logic makes sense, then maybe the latest S-Cross might just be the perfect SUV car for you.

Not only has it been in production for years, there is nothing fundamentally wrong with it. Indeed, for performance, packaging and ease, it does plenty that's right. Thoughtful design is timeless.

But there are newer alternatives that look way fresher (particularly inside) yet cost the same or less, and offer more, including updated driver-assist safety.

Still, you can do a lot worse than take an S-Cross for a test drive.

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.   

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. 

 

Kia Stonic GT-Line

Hyundai Venue Elite

Length

4140

4040

Height

1520

1592

Width

1760

1770

Ground clearance

183

170

Wheel base

2580

2520

 

Kia Stonic GT-Line

Hyundai Venue Elite

8

8


Suzuki S-Cross

It took Suzuki not one, not two, but three goes before the stylists succeeded in making the S-Cross look good.

The original was like an early Nissan Dualis clone, but all droopy faced, so they grafted on an aggressively toothy face back in 2016 that only a gargoyle’s mother could love.

At least this latest version – said to have been designed in Italy, no less – no longer looks like Frankenstein’s monster.

Released during 2022, the blockier nose, squared-off profile and restyled posterior are meant to make the S-Cross seem larger than its more-successful (and prettier) Vitara sibling, which uses the same platform, by the way.

Not a bad makeover job as far as big facelifts go, then, especially considering the Suzuki’s windscreen, doors and roof remain as before.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

 

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

 

Kia Stonic GT-Line

Hyundai Venue Elite

8

10


Suzuki S-Cross

It might be an old interior, but at least Suzuki got the fundamentals right in the first place, while also bothering to update the electronics for it to at least seem more contemporary.

Basics first. In typical SUV fashion, entry and egress are excellent, via tall and wide doors with corresponding apertures. There’s a pleasing sense of space for taller occupants, especially in terms of leg and head room.

Once sat in the driver’s seat, the mid-last-decade looking dashboard is instantly familiar and completely non-intimidating.

Concise and surprisingly elegant analogue dials (now with an auxiliary digital speedo, at last) sit ahead of the driver, along with a reach-and-height-adjustable steering column that allows for people of all shapes and sizes to find the right position. Deep windows provide extensive vision and let lots of light inside, too.

Finished in what looks like stitched leather and chainmail-inspired inserts, the front seats in this Plus grade are wide enough for comfort yet bolstered enough for some support through corners.

We rate them, though driver-lumbar and front-passenger height adjustments are disappointingly absent.

Years ago, reviews lambasted manufacturers for providing “too many buttons”, but after an endless succession of touchscreens housing most (if not all) audio, climate and vehicle control access, we miss the days of the button-fest.

If you do too, the S-Cross obliges with array of climate-control switches and driver-assist buttons located around the driver for fast and definite access.

On the other hand, while Suzuki’s new 9.0-inch touchscreen does a fine job housing other vital vehicular and multimedia functions, it drops the ball with no volume knob.

The alternative looks like a slide control but relies on clumsy pushing. Fail. Luckily the steering-spoke-sited toggles do the same job far better, at least for the driver.

Kudos, too, for the effective and intuitive multimedia system, that packs a lot in a small-ish space. The excellent surround/aerial-view camera rates a mention, as well as wireless Apple CarPlay that hardly ever drops out.

Nobody is going to mistake the extensive plastic trim and other finishes as premium, but it isn’t horrendous, doesn’t inflict occupants with the cheap off-gas stink often found in bargain-basement brands, and absolutely nothing rattled or squeaked in our time with the Suzuki. 

Storage is also impressive, from the large glove box and deep centre bin/armrest to bottle-gobbling pockets on all four doors. Cups are also well-catered for.

However, betraying the S-Cross’ age are the AWOL wireless charging, head-up display (at this price… ), USB-C outlets and configurable instrumentation.

Moving on to the rear seat reveals a family-friendly environment as far as space is concerned, with adequate comfort provided by the (slightly) reclinable backrest and (fixed) cushion. The windows lower all the way down and the folding centre armrest has a cupholder, too.

But while you’ll find a single map pocket and overhead grab handles, there are no USB ports (at all), nor overhead reading lights or rear-facing air vents.

Never mind. At least the rear backrest reclines (a tiny bit) for added comfort, while further back, boot capacity is a useful 430 litres.

The load area is flat and wide and a space saver spare wheel is located underneath the boot floor.

The backrest has a 60/40 split and the floor can be positioned in different locations. Volume jumps to 1230L with the backrests dropped.

If you rate space, practicality and ease above modernity, then, the S-Cross still holds up remarkably well. Just keep in mind that its interior will appear dated compared newer and flashier competition.

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. 

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

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

 

Kia Stonic GT-Line

Hyundai Venue Elite

7

9


Suzuki S-Cross

As we’ve established, the base S-Cross Turbo front-wheel drive (dubbed 2WD in SUV-speak) starts from $39,990 (all prices are drive-away), while the Plus version tested here costs $42,490 drive-away.

But, just a couple of years back, the pre-facelift S-Cross version kicked off from about $10K less. And, before that, much the same car could be had for mid-$20K.

Suzuki doesn’t make it easy for itself, does it.

At least the S-Cross comes with a decent rollcall of kit, including dual-zone climate control, a 7.0-inch touchscreen, DAB+ digital radio, satellite navigation, wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, front fog lights, keyless entry/start, heated front seats, electrically folding and heated exterior mirrors, rear privacy glass and 17-inch alloy wheels.

'Autonomous Emergency Braking' (AEB), lane keep assist, a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, automatic LED headlights with high beam assist, adaptive cruise control and a reverse camera headline the standard safety items. More on those in the Safety section below.

For a $2500 premium, the S-Cross Turbo Plus ushers in a larger (9.0-inch) touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a 360-degree surround-view camera, leather trim and polished alloys.

This lines up with the all-wheel drive (AWD) Prestige AllGrip equivalent, though it misses out on the latter’s panoramic sunroof.

Price and equipment-wise, the Plus matches rival mid-grade 2WDs like the Toyota Corolla Cross GXL, Nissan Qashqai ST+, Mazda CX-30 G20 Touring, Kia Seltos Sport+ and Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Aspire.

Just keep in mind, all are substantially newer generationally than the S-Cross, even though it did go under the scalpel a couple of years back.

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. 

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.

 

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

 

Kia Stonic GT-Line

Hyundai Venue Elite

8

7


Suzuki S-Cross

Here’s where the S-Cross definitely does not show its age, because Suzuki sure knows how to engineer a great engine. And automatic transmission, too. Take note, rivals.

Of course, we’re talking about the long-lived 'BoosterJet' powertrain, as found in the terrific Swift Sport hot hatch.

In this case, the 1.4-litre twin-cam, direct-injection, turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine delivers 103kW at 5500rpm and 220Nm of torque between 1500-4000rpm. Tipping the scales at 1260kg, this results in a power-to-weight ratio of 82kW per tonne.

Not huge numbers, granted, but this little firecracker certainly punches above its weight in the seamless way performance is served up, helped out by the intelligent spread of ratios from the standard six-speed torque-converter automatic transmission, with paddle shifters included. Sadly, no manual gearbox is available.

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. 

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. 

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.

 

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

 

Kia Stonic GT-Line

Hyundai Venue Elite

8

8


Suzuki S-Cross

Suzuki reckons the S-Cross will average 5.9L/100km on the combined cycle, though keep in mind that it requires expensive 95 RON premium unleaded petrol.

As far as carbon dioxide emissions are concerned, that translates to between 138 and 145 grams/km.

We managed about 7.7L/100km – and this included some very spirited performance testing with the air-con always on, against the trip computer’s more-accurate-than-expected 7.4L.

With a 47-litre fuel tank, expect a range of about 790km between refills.

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. 

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. 

Kia Stonic GT-Line

Hyundai Venue Elite

7

8


Suzuki S-Cross

So, if you’ve read this far down, you might have been pleasantly surprised by the S-Cross' spacious and practical interior, ease of operation and decent equipment levels.

Yet the main event lives under the bonnet.

Let’s start with the performance. Throttle response is instant and lag-free, allowing for strong acceleration right from the get go. No jerkiness, no delays, no hiccups.

On the move, the S-Cross' power delivery continues to impress, feeling smooth and slick across the rev range. The finely-tuned torque-converter auto – rather than a CVT continuously variable transmission or dual-clutch – must surely play a role in this Suzuki's effortlessly consistent performance.

Where the turbo engine really shines, though, is at higher speeds, with ample power and torque still left in reserve for when you need to overtake or pull away in a hurry.

Delightfully muscular yet super creamy to boot, the BoosterJet remains one of the best internal combustion engine choices available in any small or medium-sized SUV, regardless of price and positioning.

If only Suzuki put a little more love into the S-Cross’ dynamics.

As with the AWD model, the S-Cross 2WD features electric rack and pinion steering, while its suspension consists of a MacPherson strut-style design up front and a torsion beam rear-end arrangement.

While easy and precise, with a tight-ish turning circle for easy urban manoeuvrability, the steering feels too light after all that delicious oomph on offer, especially at higher speed.

This is doubly disappointing, because the chassis is quite firmly set-up, meaning the S-Cross offers sharp yet controlled handling that allows it to be hustled quickly and confidently through fast corners.

We suspect the high-quality Michelin 215/55R17 tyres help. And, speaking of rubber, road noise is fairly subdued out on the open road.

Criticisms? Unlike in the AWD version, the 2WD seems a little skittish at speed on gravel. It’s a good thing the well-modulated driver-assist systems are at the ready. Unlike in so many other SUVs, including in MGs and Havals, their intervention isn’t too zealous or ill-judged.

Also, the Suzuki’s ride around town can be a bit stiff, but never harsh, over smaller-frequency bumps and surface irregularities.

Still, our overall impression is that the eager S-Cross feels far newer to drive than its birth date suggests. That turbo powertrain must take the credit for much of that.

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.

 

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)

 

Kia Stonic GT-Line

Hyundai Venue Elite

8

8


Suzuki S-Cross

While the pre-facelift S-Cross from 2013 to 2022 managed a maximum five-star crash-test score, no ANCAP rating information is available for the current JYB series.

There is a decent amount of safety gear as standard, though, including autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, 'Weaving Alert' (a driver-drowsiness warning prompt), front/rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control (with full-stop functionality) and auto high beams.

Note that while the adaptive cruise control brings you to a halt, there’s no traffic-follow function as found in newer systems, betraying the S-Cross’ advancing years.

Plus, Suzuki does not supply information about the AEB and other driver-assist tech’s operating parameters.

Also fitted in every S-Cross are seven airbags (dual front, dual front side, curtain and driver’s knee), electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake-assist.

The rear seats contain a trio of child-seat tether anchorages, as well as an outboard pair of ISOFIX attachments.

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.

 

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

$315 

Service interval

12mnths/10,000km

12mnths/15,000km

Free roadside assistance 

?

?

 

Kia Stonic GT-Line

Hyundai Venue Elite

8

8


Suzuki S-Cross

Suzuki offers an industry-average five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and roadside assistance.

Service intervals are every 12 months or 10,000km, while basic capped-price servicing is available, with pricing ranging from a low of $329 per service up to a high of $539 for the first five years/50,000km. The average of $397 isn't particularly cheap.