Comparison: Maruti Suzuki Brezza vs Hyundai Venue

The compact SUV segment is, arguably, the most happening segment in the Indian automotive world. There is no denying the fact that two of the most famous compact SUVs India has ever made are the Maruti Suzuki Brezza vs Hyundai Venue. Both these cars hover around each other in terms of sales every month. Where Maruti sold 14,359 units of Brezza in January 2023, Hyundai lagged behind by selling 10,738 Venues in the same month. These heavyweights also got an upgrade in 2022 in order to stay relevant in an extremely volatile market. 

Brezza has been a feather in Maruti’s cap from the time of its launch in 2016, and continues to deliver an extremely comfortable drive with ample space, and looks that are unparalleled in its segment. With the Tata Nexon being the most popular compact SUV, the Brezza and venue have been locked in a battle among each other to topple the leader. Both Maruti and Hyundai have been around in India for decades and they know how to make cars that resonate with people. But are these two posterchildren from two of the biggest carmakers in India similar at all or is it just the segment that they share? Let’s find out.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza vs Hyundai Venue: Dimensions

Looking at the table above, it is quite obvious that both these compact SUVs are exactly the same in terms of length. The Brezza is wider than the Venue by 20 mm which isn’t much unless you are looking for excuses to prefer the Brezza over the Venue. Both the SUVs have roof rails, and in the overall height of both cars, the Brezza is taller than the Venue by almost 70 mm. This is quite significant especially when you look at both of them from the front. Is it a bad thing? Not in the least. The lower stance in an SUV can give it a more aggressive and controlled look. It might also lead to slightly better control at higher speeds. 

The wheelbase for both SUVs is exactly the same as well, but the Venue shines with its extra 22 litres of cargo space. On a day to day basis, this might not be much of a deal breaker but might earn brownie points on those trips where you need to pack a little extra. The Brezza has roughly 10 millimetres of extra ground clearance than the Venue’s 190 mm. This makes the Brezza marginally better at navigating over those potholes. The front grille of the Venue is big and gives it a more aggressive look, but the Brezza has front looks that are more dignified and fancy.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza vs Hyundai Venue: Engine and Transmission

As everyone knows by now, Maruti has stopped making diesel engines in India, and has decided to stick to its petrol engines for the foreseeable future. Where it might not make much of a difference to most, some might be missing the more-torquey alternative. This is why every Maruti Brezza these days comes with a 1.5-litre mild hybrid powertrain. The Hyundai Venue, however, doesn’t shy away from giving as many as three engine options to choose from. Where two usual engines come in the form of a 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel, there is a 1-litre turbocharged petrol motor as well. There are three transmission options to choose from – a five-speed manual, a six-speed manual, and a seven-speed Dual Clutch Transmission. Then there is a fourth option as well where an automated unit is mated to the six-speed manual transmission that engages the clutch on its own. This makes shifting through gears much more effortless than a conventional gearbox.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza vs Hyundai Venue: Features and Comfort

Minus the two obvious differences of the MID console and driving modes, both the SUVs in question here are as nicely (or poorly) equipped as each other. Where the old schoolers will prefer the analogue console of the Brezza, the new-age drivers might prefer Venue for its digitised information. The lack of driving modes on the Brezza will be sorely missed and is one area where the Venue takes the lead. The option to change the character of the SUV at the click of button is something dearly appreciated in a price sensitive market like ours. 

But apart from these two obvious differences, both these icons are equally equipped. Yes, you will have to read between the lines to figure out which trim has what in order to draw the final line, but it all boils down to your expectations and the money you are willing to spend on them. Both these cars are priced similar to each other, and certain features mentioned above are not available in all the versions. 

Both the manufacturers have tried their level best to stay competent in the most competitive segment in the Indian market currently, and it shows. No wonder that both these SUVs got an upgrade around the same time in 2022. Where one has successfully managed to tap the pulse of the audience, the other definitely needs to offer something ‘extra’. That extra could be either in the way it looks or the features it has to offer in order to still be competitive. Everything said and done, both these models offer value for money. It just depends on what suits you and your expectations better.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza vs Hyundai Venue: Safety Features

Both the SUVs here are amply equipped when it comes to safety features. Yes, some of the features are not available in the entry level trims, but most of the features are standard across the range. In the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, features like two airbags, electronic stability control, hill hold assist, reverse parking sensor, ABS with EBD, day/night rear view mirror are some that come standard. Same goes for the Hyundai Venue. An entry level Venue is as feature-rich as the Brezza in most of the cases mentioned above.

If you want the best of safety for yourself and your family, the more expensive trims offer more safety features like six airbags, hill assist, tyre pressure monitoring system, electronic stability control, reverse parking cameras, automatic headlamps etc. in the Hyundai Venue. The Maruti Suzuki Brezza ups the game by offering a 360-degree view camera, and a head-up display in its ZXi+ variant apart from the things mentioned above for the Venue. 

Maruti Suzuki Brezza vs Hyundai Venue: Price Comparison

Both the Maruti Suzuki Brezza and the Hyundai Venue offer very good value for money across all the variants. Depending on what excites you more, you can choose between any of these compact SUVs. Thanks to more engine and gearbox options, there are 16 variants of the Venue available in the market today. Since Maruti’s Brezza has decided to play safe with just one engine option, and two gearboxes, the number of variants available are just 7. While the number may not be as many as Hyundai’s, it isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Unless you specifically want a diesel SUV or a turbocharged petrol unit, a Brezza is as good as a Venue or may be slightly better in some of the variants.

An entry level Brezza LXi with a five-speed manual transmission costs over Rs. 50,000 more than the basic Venue – E with the 1.2-litre engine and a five-speed manual gearbox. The most expensive Brezza ZXi+ with a six-speed drivetrain costs Rs. 77,000 more than the top-end Venue – SX (O) Dual Tone with the 1-litre turbo engine clubbed with the seven-speed DCT. Things get spicier when you look at mid-level trims of the Venue. The two variants of the Venue that lie in the middle of the price list have either the 1.5-litre diesel engine with a six-speed manual transmission, or the 1-litre turbo petrol mill with the seven-speed DCT. Both these trims are very different to each other in terms of character and performance. The Brezza feels more equipped than the Venue across the line-up despite being priced higher than the Venue. Having said that, the crux of the matter is, you cannot go wrong with either.

Summary

Both the compact SUVs here have positioned themselves as two of the most-selling cars in the Indian market right now. Where the Brezza was launched in the Indian market around seven years ago, the Venue is considerably new as it was launched in May 2019. With Tata Nexon making waves, both these heavyweights have started to feel the pressure. The Brezza has now slipped to the number 2 spot, and the Venue, having no other option, has to accept being number 3 for now. In January 2023, Maruti sold 3,600 units of the Brezza more than what Hyundai managed to do with its Venue.

After receiving a facelift in 2022, both the Brezza and the Venue look new and fresh; both from the inside as well as the outside. If you want a compact SUV that is spacious, practical, and comfortable to drive both in and around town, Brezza makes a very strong case for itself. If you want an SUV with an engine to suit your lifestyle, Venue offers more options to choose from. Where the Brezza sounds like a car that was made to please everyone, the Venue offers more personalisation with different characteristics throughout its line-up.