Brezza VXi vs Venue S-Opt: Mid-Range SUV Face-off 2024

Top Reasons for Consideration

Maruti Suzuki Brezza VXi:

1. Powerful 1.5L K15C petrol engine (101.64 bhp, 136.8 Nm)

2. Fuel efficiency: 17.38 kmpl (ARAI-rated)

3. Spacious interior with ample rear-seat room

4. Maruti's extensive service network

5. Comfort-oriented suspension

6. 7-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

7. Dual airbags, ABS, and EBD

8. 48-liter fuel tank

9. 198 mm ground clearance

10. Wide color options (10 choices)

Hyundai Venue S-Opt:

1. Superior fuel efficiency: 20.36 kmpl (ARAI-rated)

2. Modern design with parametric grille and LED lighting

3. 6 airbags, ABS, and EBD as standard

4. 8-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

5. 2-step rear reclining seats and rear AC vents

6. 350-liter boot space

7. Multiple USB ports including Type-C

8. Rearview camera with dynamic guidelines

9. Hyundai's reputation for feature-loaded vehicles

Quantitative Comparison: By the Numbers

1. Engine Performance:

- Brezza: 1462cc, 101.64 bhp, 136.8 Nm

- Venue: 1197cc, 81.80 bhp, 113.8 Nm

2. Transmission:

Both feature 5-speed manual gearboxes

3. Dimensions (L x W x H):

- Brezza: 3995 x 1790 x 1685 mm

- Venue: 3995 x 1770 x 1617 mm

4. Boot Space:

- Brezza: 328 liters

- Venue: 350 liters

5. Fuel Efficiency:

- Brezza: 17.38 kmpl (ARAI)

- Venue: 20.36 kmpl (ARAI)

6. Fuel Tank Capacity:

- Brezza: 48 liters

- Venue: 45 liters

7. Price:

- Brezza VXi: ₹9,69,500

- Venue S-Opt: ₹9,88,800

Qualitative Comparison: Beyond the Specs

Exterior Design:

The Brezza refreshed design gives it a bold SUV stance. The Venue, on the other hand, impresses with its flashy parametric grille and LED light show.

Interior and Comfort:

The Brezza’s spacious and welcoming cabin, and its roomy rear seats, are winners. The Venue's interior is stylish and well-appointed, with the thoughtful two-step recline for rear seats offering the perfect position for long drives.

Driving Experience:

The Brezza isn’t flashy behind the wheel, but it gets the job done. Its larger engine provides more oomph, and the soft suspension makes short work of potholes. The Venue, with its smaller engine, is great for city traffic and its fuel efficiency is truly enticing.

Practicality:

The Venue has an advantage with more boot space, but the Brezza's counters with higher ground clearance.

Feature Showdown

1. Infotainment:

- Brezza: 7-inch touchscreen

- Venue: 8-inch touchscreen

2. Climate Control:

- Brezza: Automatic climate control

- Venue: Manual AC with rear AC vents

3. Safety:

- Brezza: Dual airbags, ABS, EBD

- Venue: 6 airbags, ABS, EBD

4. Lighting:

- Brezza: Halogen headlamps

- Venue: LED DRLs and tail lamps

Recommendation:

For mid-range compact SUV buyers, the Hyundai Venue S-Opt edges out as our top pick. Here's why:

1. Superior fuel efficiency for significant savings on running costs

2. Advanced safety features with 6 airbags and ESC

3. Modern features like LED lighting and a larger infotainment screen

4. Larger boot space (350L vs 328L)

5. Contemporary design that may appeal to style-conscious buyers

While the Maruti Suzuki Brezza VXi offers a more powerful engine and potentially more spacious interior, the Venue's overall package seems more suited to the needs of mid-range buyers looking for a fuel-efficient, safe, and feature-rich compact SUV. It's like choosing between a Swiss Army knife and a specialized tool – the Venue simply offers more versatility and contemporary features for a slightly higher price.