New Hyundai Venue confirmed for South Africa
The new Hyundai Venue has been revealed, boasting bolder exterior styling, extra interior space and a curved panoramic display. And it’s coming to SA in 2026…
- Hyundai’s new Venue crossover fully revealed in India
- Taller and wider than original, with longer wheelbase
- Locked in for SA with local launch planned for Q2 2026
Meet the new Hyundai Venue. Freshly revealed in India, the 2nd-generation version of the small crossover adopts the South Korean firm’s latest design language along with extra interior space. And it’s been confirmed for South Africa, with a local launch likely to take place in the 2nd quarter of 2026.
Yes, Stanley Anderson, CEO of Hyundai Automotive South Africa, recently told Cars.co.za during an interview at Naamsa’s South African Auto Week 2025 in Gqeberha that the new Venue would be coming to Mzansi next year, “hopefully” in the 2nd quarter.
So, how does the new Venue differ from the original? Well, while it again measures 3 995 mm from bow to stern, the 2nd-gen version’s wheelbase has grown by 20 mm to 2 520 mm. In addition, this model stands 48 mm taller (at 1 665 mm, depending on the derivative) and 30 mm wider (at 1 800 mm) than the outgoing version.
Exterior highlights of the Indian-spec newcomer include what Hyundai describes as “twin-horn” LED daytime running lights, quad-beam LED headlamps, a dark-chrome grille, chunkier wheel arches, 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels and a full-width LED bar at the rear. New exterior paint colours for the sub-continental market include “Hazel Blue” and “Mystic Sapphire”.
Inside, the most significant upgrade comes in the form of a curved panoramic display comprising an infotainment screen and a digital instrument cluster, each measuring 12.3 inches in diameter. The new steering wheel, meanwhile, features a quartet of illuminated dots (apparently representing “H” in morse code) rather than the familiar Hyundai logo.
Furthermore, the Seoul-based automaker claims rear legroom in the Venue has been improved thanks both to the longer wheelbase and the “scooped” seatbacks of the redesigned front pews. The rear seats gain a 2-step reclining function and the doors are said to open wider than before, too.
Interestingly, Hyundai appears to have carried over the original Venue’s powertrain line-up. That means the range again kicks off with a 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine (61 kW/115 Nm) that drives the front axle via a 5-speed manual gearbox.
Meanwhile, a turbocharged 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder petrol motor powers higher-spec derivatives, offering 88 kW and 172 Nm through a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. In India, a 1.5-litre turbodiesel mill is furthermore available.
As a reminder, the outgoing Hyundai Venue range in South Africa comprises 6 derivatives (including a pair of Cargo-badged panel-van variants), currently priced from R309 900 to R499 900. This model launched locally in late 2019 before being lightly facelifted in 2022, with Hyundai Automotive SA then repositioning the Venue in mid-2024 (cutting its starting price by R19 000).
According to our records, Hyundai registered as many as 5 156 units of the Venue in South Africa in 2023, with that figure dropping to 2 753 units in 2024. Year to date at the end of September 2025, the brand has sold 1 900 more examples.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: When is the new Hyundai Venue expected to launch in South Africa?
A: The new Hyundai Venue is locked in for a South African launch, which is planned for the 2nd quarter of 2026 (Q2 2026). This was confirmed by Stanley Anderson, CEO of Hyundai Automotive South Africa.
Q: What are the key interior changes in the second-generation Hyundai Venue?
A: The most significant interior upgrade is a curved panoramic display that combines the infotainment screen and the digital instrument cluster, with each measuring 12.3 inches in diameter. Other changes include a new steering wheel (featuring 4 illuminated dots), improved rear legroom and rear seats with a 2-step reclining function.
Q: How has the size of the new Venue changed compared to the original model?
A: While the overall length remains the same at 3 995 mm, the wheelbase has grown by 20 mm to 2 520 mm. Furthermore, the 2nd-generation Venue is 48 mm taller (at 1 665 mm) and 30 mm wider (at 1 800 mm) than the outgoing version.
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