The subcompact SUV segment is fiercely competitive, and Hyundai has just unveiled an update for its entry-level fighter. The Hyundai Venue has received its most significant facelift since launch, bringing the pint-sized SUV in line with Hyundai’s latest design language. However, while the facelifted version is set to go on sale in India soon, Australian buyers may not see it in showrooms anytime soon.
Hyundai Venue gets tougher exterior styling
The 2026 Hyundai Venue adopts a more rugged, squared-off design, clearly inspired by Hyundai’s larger SUVs, such as the Santa Fe and Palisade.
Up front, the Venue now sports a more upright grille, integrated LED daytime running lights, and sharper wheel-arch cladding, all contributing to a tougher stance. Down the sides, crisper body lines replace the outgoing model’s rounded edges, giving it a more mature and assertive look.
At the rear, the old boxy tail-lamps have been swapped for a full-width LED light bar, a design cue that’s quickly becoming standard across the Hyundai range.
Bigger than the current Venue
The facelift isn’t just cosmetic; the new Hyundai Venue has grown slightly in size!
| Dimension | Change vs outgoing model |
| Height | +48 mm |
| Width | +30 mm |
| Wheelbase | +20 mm |
2026 Venue engines
Despite the growth, Hyundai has retained the same powertrains for the India-spec Venue. That means a 1.2-litre petrol engine and a 1.0-litre turbocharged unit, depending on trim level. For now, Hyundai has confirmed no mechanical updates beyond these incremental dimension changes. In comparison, the Hyundai Venue sold in Australia comes with a 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine only.
Inside the 2026 Hyundai Venue
The cabin has been thoroughly modernised to match Hyundai’s newer models. The most significant change is the addition of a dual 12.3-inch display setup that combines the digital instrument cluster and infotainment screen into a single, seamless panel.
Hyundai has also refreshed the dashboard design and materials, bringing the Venue closer in feel to larger, more expensive models in its stable.
Hyundai Venue in Australia
While India is a right-hand drive market as well, where the Hyundai Venue is a top-seller, Australia gets the Venue directly from South Korea. A spokesperson for Hyundai Australia has confirmed to the media that “there are no plans to bring in the Indian-built version Down Under at this time.”
The timeline for Hyundai’s facilities in South Korea to start production of the updated Venue is unknown. This creates an awkward limbo for Hyundai’s local arm, which must continue to sell the now “older” model against fresher rivals.
Key unanswered questions for Australia:
- Timeline: When will Korean production of the facelifted model begin?
- Transmission: Will the manual transmission, a rarity at this price point and one of the Venue’s unique selling points, survive the update?
- Specification: Will the top-tier tech, like the 12.3-inch screen, be standard or reserved for high-grade models in Australia
The bottom line
The 2026 Hyundai Venue facelift is a substantial and largely positive step forward for the entry-level SUV segment. It addresses the key stylistic and technological shortcomings of the current car, making it a more compelling package on the global stage. Until further updates from Hyundai, for Australian consumers, this “unveiling” is essentially another preview of a product they cannot buy.
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