Australia’s cheapest SUV could be set for an overhaul, with the updated Hyundai Venue under consideration for a local launch.
Made in India for India, the 2026 Venue is a significant departure from the pre-update model in terms of both exterior design and cabin presentation, representing a modernisation of the Korean-built model that is sold in markets such as Australia.
Earlier this week, a Hyundai spokesperson told CarExpert that there were no plans to bring the new Venue to Australia. However, Hyundai Australia product planning and development manager Tim Rodgers instead says there’s strong appetite within the company to update its entry-level SUV offering.
“The new venue is an India-only model, but never say never,” explained Mr Rodgers.
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“We have been researching and looking at every product line from every factory globally, and that’s actually a car that we’ve taken a big look at… it definitely has potential for us.
“We’d love to have it, we’ve just got to make a few things work for it.”
Both outside and in, the 2026 Venue adopts Hyundai’s latest design language and technology.
The body is squarer in shape, giving the Venue a similar silhouette to the Sante Fe and Palisade large SUVs, albeit much smaller. Having said that, the Venue has grown, the light SUV now measuring 48mm taller and 30mm wider, with the wheelbase also increasing by 20mm.
LED daytime running lights now feature at the front, while a full-width LED strip spans the rear end.
Inside, the Venue gains dual 12.3-inch instrument and infotainment screens, while the layout and materials have also been brought more in line with the rest of the Hyundai lineup.
It’s understood that no changes have been made to the powertrain, and it’s unclear whether a manual transmission will be offered, as is currently the case in Australia.
Priced from $23,000 before on-road costs, the manual Venue is currently the most affordable SUV in Australia, with automatic variants starting from $25,000 plus on-roads.
To the end of September 2025, Hyundai has sold 6010 Venues in Australia this year, an increase of 17.9 per cent over the same period last year. It’s currently ranked third in the light SUV segment by sales, behind the Mazda CX-3 (11,971) and Toyota Yaris Cross (8319), but ahead of the Suzuki Jimny (5929) and Kia Stonic (5029).
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