In India’s competitive SUV market, two names stand out for very different reasons — the Hyundai Venue and the MG Hector. While the Venue is compact, stylish, and packed with smart urban tech, the Hector makes a bold impression with its size, luxury, and powerful performance. But which one should you pick? This blog will help you in that regard.
Design and Road Presence
The Hyundai Venue carries a refreshed and confident design, perfect for city living. Its dark chrome grille, connected LED tail lamps, and R16 diamond-cut alloys give it a modern, urban appeal. The Knight Edition variant further enhances its sporty personality with black painted alloys, brass inserts, and red brake callipers.
The MG Hector, on the other hand, is all about grandeur and presence. It features a bold Argyle-inspired diamond mesh grille, 18-inch machined alloys, and LED blade-connected tail lamps, giving it a premium SUV stance.
Interior and Comfort
Inside, the Hyundai Venue features a youthful, premium cabin designed with comfort in mind. The dual-tone black and greige interiors, ambient lighting, and digital driver cluster with colour TFT give it a polished look. It also offers ventilated front seats, a power driver seat (4-way), rear reclining seats, and a smart electric sunroof.
In contrast, the MG Hector offers a cabin that’s as spacious as it is sophisticated. The SUV features dual-tone Argil Brown & Black interiors, soft-touch materials, and a 6-way power-adjustable driver seat. The massive 14-inch HD infotainment system — the largest in its class — along with ambient lighting and a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, creates an executive lounge-like experience. The Hector Plus variants even offer 6/7-seater configurations, giving families added flexibility.
Technology and Features
The Hyundai Venue features a Bluelink connected system that offers over 60 smart features, including remote engine start, vehicle tracking, and voice-enabled commands via Alexa. Through its 8-inch HD infotainment system, it also supports OTA updates, ambient sounds of nature, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The MG Hector pushes boundaries with its i-SMART connectivity suite, offering 70+ connected features, 100+ voice commands, and 30+ Hinglish voice interactions. It also includes a digital Bluetooth key with key sharing, live vehicle tracking, and remote control for AC and sunroof via the smartphone app. The premium Infinity sound system, featuring a subwoofer and amplifier, ensures an immersive in-cabin audio experience.
Performance and Engine Options
The Hyundai Venue offers multiple engine options suited to diverse driving styles:
- 1.2L Kappa Petrol: 83 PS, 114 Nm, 5-speed manual.
- 1.0L Turbo Petrol: 120 PS, 172 Nm, 6-speed iMT or 7-speed DCT.
- 1.5L Diesel: 116 PS, 250 Nm, 6-speed manual.
It also offers Drive Modes (Eco, Normal, and Sport), allowing drivers to fine-tune their experience.
The MG Hector, being larger, delivers stronger performance. It comes with:
- 1.5L Turbo Petrol: 143 PS, 250 Nm (6MT/CVT).
- 2.0L Diesel: 170 PS, 350 Nm (6MT).
The Hector offers Drive Mode Select (Eco, Normal, Sport) and delivers smooth power delivery suited for long highway drives.
Safety
Safety is an area where both SUVs excel.
The Hyundai Venue is equipped with six airbags (standard across all variants), ESC, Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), Hill Assist Control (HAC), and TPMS. It also debuts Level 1 ADAS with features such as Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, and Driver Attention Warning, making it one of the safest compact SUVs in its category.
The MG Hector offers a robust Level 2 ADAS system with 11 advanced features, including Adaptive Cruise Control, Traffic Jam Assist, Lane Departure Warning, and Automatic Emergency Braking. It also includes 6 airbags, ESP, Traction Control, Hill Hold, and a 360° Around View HD Camera for a safer driving experience.
Pricing and Value
- Hyundai Venue: ₹7.26 lakh – ₹12.46 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).
- MG Hector: ₹14 lakh – ₹22.75 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)
Note: Hector is available in 5-, 6-, and 7-seater options.
The Venue offers exceptional value for buyers looking for a feature-packed, compact SUV without stretching their budget. The Hector, while more expensive, justifies its premium with segment-leading comfort, space, and technology.
Final Thoughts
The Hyundai Venue and MG Hector cater to very different types of SUV buyers. The Venue’s compact design, versatile engine options, and everyday practicality make it an excellent city SUV. Meanwhile, the Hector’s spacious interiors, advanced safety, and sophisticated tech make it perfect for those who crave luxury and presence.
