Comparison: Hyundai i20 N-Line vs Hyundai Venue N-Line

When we think of affordable driver’s cars, Hyundai certainly isn’t the first carmaker that comes to mind. In the past, the Korean car manufacturer produced soft and dynamically average vehicles that were anything but fun-to-drive. However, in the last few decades, things have transformed for Hyundai. The Koreans have finally figured out how to develop interesting cars, and they have been on a roll ever since. The recent crop of Hyundai models are brilliant to drive with sorted ride and handling traits. 

A result of this transformation are cars from the N department or the N-Line department, the latter not as hardcore as the former. In India, the N-line model lineup made its debut with the i20, which turned out to be a huge success for the brand. Roughly 10 percent of i20 models sold in India are N-Line versions. This means Hyundai sells a healthy number of i20 N-Line vehicles, enough to sustain a business model. Recognising the growing fondness of Indian consumers for affordable driver’s cars, the brand recently also launched the Venue N-Line. Surprisingly, this is a segment that has never really caught on despite a good number of legitimate driver’s cars such as the Ford Fiesta 1.6s and the Abarth Punto. 

Hyundai seems to have cracked the code. But, enthusiasts are now left with the choice of not one but two sporty editions – the i20 N-Line and the Venue N-Line. Which one is the right car for you? We answer that question. 

Hyundai i20 N-Line vs Hyundai Venue N-Line: Dimensions 

Before we look at the numbers, we might assume the Venue N-Line is the bigger car here as it is a compact SUV. However, things are not as straightforward as it seems. The Venue, obviously, is the taller car here and it also features the most ground clearance and boot-space as expected. But it comes as a surprise that the i20 N-Line is the wider car here. It also features the longest wheelbase. So this comparison is split into two and if you want the biggest boot space and ground clearance, the Venue takes the lead. Despite being a hatchback, the i20 is a large car that has similar dimensions, if not more than its SUV counterpart. 

 Hyundai i20 N-Line vs Hyundai Venue N-Line: Engine & Transmission

There isn’t much of a comparison when it comes to powertrain options of i20 N-Line and Venue N-line. If you’re wondering why, that is because both these cars are identical when it comes to the engine and gearbox options. The engine in question is a 1.0-litre three cylinder turbo petrol unit that develops a healthy 120PS of power and 172Nm of torque, mated to either a cutting-edge 7-speed DCT or a 6-speed iMT. 

If you really want to pick one, it comes down to the ride and handling. The i20 N-Line has a slight advantage here as it is a lighter car with a lower ride height. This means the i20 will handle better and be slightly more fun to drive than the Venue N-Line. If that doesn’t help, we highly recommend a test-drive and you will definitely know which one speaks to you. 

 Hyundai i20 N-Line vs Hyundai Venue N-Line: Features & Comfort

Since both these cars are from Hyundai’s stable, they are neck-to-neck when it comes to features. All the essential features are covered here with both cars sporting a sunroof, digital driver’s display, wireless charger, automatic aircon, and cruise control. The i20 N-Line comes with some extra features such as a bigger 10.25-inch touchscreen system, and a Bose sound system with a subwoofer for that added punch. In the Venue’s defense, it gets electrically adjustable seats, reclining rear seats, and a dashcam. At the end of the day, it comes down to the features which appeal to you. Either way you go, both cars are loaded to the brim and never really fall short in this area. 

 Hyundai i20 N-Line vs Hyundai Venue N-Line: Safety Features

Yet again, both these cars are closely matched in terms of  safety features and safety tech. They have all the modern safety features such as ESP, ABS with EBD, 6 airbags, automatic headlamps and cruise control. The i20 N-Line has a miniscule edge in this comparison as it has already been tested by GNCAP leading to a 3-star safety rating. On the opposite end, the Venue is yet to be tested by Global NCAP and hence, we cannot come to a conclusion. 

Since both these cars are from the same brand with similar underpinnings, expect both of these cars to be more or less at par when it comes to crashworthiness.

 Hyundai i20 N-Line vs Hyundai Venue N-Line: Price Comparison

Interestingly, the Hyundai i20 N-Line and most of its variants are almost cheaper than the Venue N-Line by over Rs 1.5 lakh. It is hard to ignore that kind of money, especially when you get the same engine and gearbox along with a few feature additions. The Venue is a subcompact SUV and hence it is dearer than the i20, and every variant reflects the premium. It has a base price of Rs 12 lakh and for similar money you will get a well-loaded variant of the I20 N-Line. That’s some food for thought right there. 

Summary

This comparison has been harder than we imagined. There’s a lot of similarities between these two cars and hence, it all comes down to what really separated them. The Venue N-Line is the more spacious car here as it is a compact SUV. It has the biggest boot space and ground clearance and it offers similar features (some extra) in contrast to the i20 N-Line. For those who want a practical yet fun family car that can swallow some weekend luggage and tackle bad roads with ease, the Venue sounds right for the job. 

But, for everybody else, the Hyundai i20 N-Line is the car to buy. Not only is it cheaper by around  Rs 1.5 lakh, but it also offers some more features, and most importantly, it is the more fun car here thanks to its small footprint and light kerb weight. The i20 N-Line is also the obvious choice here for ardent driving enthusiasts who prioritize performance over practicality. 

It feels great to have special cars like these in the market right now and with electrification looming over us, either of these N-Line models makes absolute sense if you ask us.