SA Roadtests
South Africa
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This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. I drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under real-world South African conditions. Many of the vehicles driven are world cars as well, so what you read here possibly applies to the models you get where you live.
My most recent drive is on the home page. Archived reviews and opinion pieces are in the active list down the left side. Hover your cursor over a heading or manufacturer's name and search through the drop-down menu that appears.
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Exterior pics by Quickpic
Interior by author
Posted: November 3, 2022
The numbers
Price, 1.0T Fluid automatic: R429 900
Engine: 998 cc, three-cylinder, DOHC 12-valve turbopetrol with GDI
Power: 88 kW between 5300 and 6000 rpm
Torque: 172 Nm between 1500 and 4000 rpm
Zero to 100 km/h: 11.4 seconds
Maximum speed: 180 km/h
Real life fuel consumption: About 7.2 l/100 km
Tank: 45 litres
Luggage: 343 - 890 litres
Standard tyre: 215/60R16
Spare: See text
Ground clearance: 195 mm
Turning circle: 10.2 metres
Maximum towing mass (unbraked/braked): 500 kg /1100 kg
Warranty: 5 years/150 000 km, with drivetrain extension warranty of 2 years/50 000 km
Roadside assistance: 7 years/150 000 km
Service plan: 3 years/45 000 km at 15 000 km intervals
Although Hyundai SA’s Venue is locked in a three-way tussle with Atos and Grand i10 for the company’s top sales honours, and averaging around 550 units per month, it doesn’t hurt to up the ante occasionally.
While dimensions, weights and basic mechanical specifications remain the same, a recent refresh provided a new grille, headlamps, tail lights, derrière makeover, and hatch doors slightly wider at the bottom to make loading easier. All models gained a larger, 4.2-inch, TFT screen, indicator repeaters on the side mirrors and redone wheels. Turbocharged cars were given ESP and Hill Start Assist while Fluid versions added LED headlights, similar DRLs, and reclining rear seatbacks. Top car Glide became N-Line with yet more goodies, but that’s not the one we’re reviewing here.
Our test car lies second in the ranking; a one-litre Fluid with turbocharger and seven-speed DCT gearbox. Although this is a dual-clutch, it isn’t quite as sharp as those from other manufacturers but still responds like a good conventional automatic. Standard equipment includes six airbags, 16” alloy wheels, reversing camera, combination cloth and leather upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, electrically-folding mirrors, and roof rails. It is solidly built, so doors and hatch close with a satisfying “thump.”
Performance was as I remembered it with good pulling power and decently quick acceleration. Manual override enabled free use of revs and gears to turn it into a happy little hooligan machine. (That, of course, is only when the kids are safely absent from irresponsible adult influences.) Such behaviour is aided by suspension that’s firmer than I remember it from years past - although an unsought side effect was that a new-to-me, and rather evil, dirt road wasn’t at all enjoyable despite driving gently.
Living with it: Those sitting in front enjoy ample head- and elbow room, the driver’s chair adjusts mechanically for height but the steering wheel enables elevation changes only. Minor controls like HVAC and music are readily accessible and easy to operate. A separate button switches speed defrosting for the back window. Sockets include two sizes of USB and a 12-volt outlet. The parking brake is placed for RHD but tall drivers, who set the seat further back, may find it awkward to reach over the stationary console box.
One’s phone nestles on a pad below the dash and there’s a small tray for car guard change. A single unlit visor mirror, two cup holders, a big cubby and small door bins complete the list of conveniences.
Six-foot back seat riders have enough headroom but knee space is tight. Two full belts and a lap strap keep passengers located but, despite a low centre tunnel, the middle seat is only for tykes because the console, with its air vent, extends a wee bit backwards. Two small USBs, bottle bins, a folding armrest with cup holders, a central courtesy lamp and a map pocket see to amenities. The ISOFix mountings have top tethers.
The luggage compartment sill is 80 cm high and the cavity is 22 cm deep. It’s equipped with a light, and seatback catches can be reached from behind. The steel-rimmed spare is fitted with an equivalently sized, 195/65R15 tyre.
Summary: Nice little performer, easy to park, clear view outwards and equipped with everything a small family needs.
Test unit from Hyundai Motor SA press fleet
See the launch report here
This is a one-man show, which means that every car reviewed is thoroughly researched, given my personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.
Every test car goes through real world driving; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads or goat tracks as well. As a result, my test cars do occasionally get dirty. It's all part of the reviewing process.
I do my best to include relevant information like real life fuel economy or a close mathematical calculation, boot size or luggage space, whether the space is both usable and accessible, whether life-sized people can use the back seat (where that applies), basic specs of the vehicle and performance figures if they are published. In the case of clearly identified launch reports, fuel figures are of necessity the laboratory numbers provided with the release material.
If ever I place an article that doesn't cover most things, it's probably because I have dealt with a very similar vehicle already, so you will be able to find what you want in another report under the same manufacturer's heading in the menu on the left.
Hope you like what you see, because there are no commercial interests at work here. There are no advertisers and no “editorial policy” rules. I add bylines to acknowledge sponsored launch functions and the manufacturers or dealerships that provide the test vehicles. And, as quite a few readers have found, I answer every serious enquiry from my home email address, with my phone numbers attached, so you can see I do actually exist.
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SA Roadtests
South Africa
ctjag8