The compact SUV segment in India has been one of the fastest-growing automotive categories for the last few years. Among the top contenders in this space, the Hyundai Venue continues to be a strong performer. But in 2025, an interesting trend has emerged—higher demand for the petrol-powered Venue compared to its diesel counterpart. With rising customer preferences, cost considerations, and market dynamics, the Venue petrol is becoming the first choice for most buyers.
In this detailed blog, we discuss why the petrol Venue is attracting more interest, what this means for Hyundai, and how the shift reflects broader changes in the Indian automotive market.
✅ 1. Petrol Demand Rising: A Shift in Buyer Preference
Hyundai has reported a significant increase in the demand for the petrol variants of the Venue, especially for the 1.2-litre naturally aspirated engine and the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine. This shift isn’t sudden—it’s the result of changing customer priorities and evolving driving habits.
The petrol versions of the Venue offer:
- Lower upfront cost
- Smooth and refined performance
- Lower vibration and noise
- Better suitability for urban driving
As a result, customers who primarily use their cars in city conditions prefer the petrol Venue over diesel.
✅ 2. Petrol is More Affordable Upfront
One of the biggest reasons behind the Venue’s rising petrol demand is its low starting price compared to diesel.
Petrol vs Diesel Price Gap
- Diesel engines are more expensive to manufacture due to advanced emission control systems.
- This increases the ex-showroom price of diesel variants by ₹1–1.5 lakh in many cases.
For first-time car buyers or budget-conscious families, the price difference makes petrol variants much more appealing.
By choosing petrol, many customers can either upgrade to a higher variant or invest in additional features without stretching their budget.
✅ 3. Lower Maintenance Costs for Petrol Cars
Another advantage of petrol vehicles is their lower maintenance cost. Diesel engines require:
- More frequent servicing
- Costlier spare parts
- Stricter emission-related upkeep
Meanwhile, petrol engines offer:
- Cheaper service bills
- Lower long-term maintenance
- Better compatibility with city driving
For buyers who want a hassle-free ownership experience, the petrol Venue becomes the obvious choice.
✅ 4. Petrol Engine Options Suit Urban Driving Better
The Hyundai Venue petrol lineup includes:
- 1.2-litre N/A Petrol – Ideal for daily commutes and light city use.
- 1.0-litre Turbo-Petrol – Offers punchy performance with refinement.
- Multiple Transmission Options – Manual, iMT, and DCT.
Why Petrol Works Better for City Driving?
- Smooth acceleration
- Quieter engine performance
- Lower vibrations
- Better drivability in stop-go traffic
These advantages make petrol a preferred choice for those driving mainly within city limits.
✅ 5. Declining Demand for Diesel SUVs in Small Segments
Over the past few years, diesel engines have gradually lost popularity in the compact and sub-compact SUV segments. Several reasons contribute:
✅ BS6 Emission Norms Increased Diesel Costs
Cleaner diesel engines now require expensive after-treatment systems like DPF and SCR, driving up costs.
✅ Petrol Engines Now Offer Good Mileage
Earlier, mileage was a strong reason to pick diesel. Today, petrol engines deliver competitive mileage figures.
✅ Low Diesel Demand in Smaller SUVs
Buyers in the smaller SUV category are more city-focused, making petrol the natural choice.
This industry-wide shift has helped drive more interest towards the petrol Venue.
✅ 6. Better Refinement and NVH Levels in Petrol Venue
The Venue petrol models are praised for offering high refinement and lower NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) levels.
Advantages of Petrol Refinement:
- Quiet cabin experience
- Smooth power delivery
- Less vibration even at high speeds
- More comfortable for families
This smooth experience is often preferred by urban car owners, especially those upgrading from hatchbacks.
✅ 7. Turbo-Petrol Engine Attracts Enthusiasts
While the standard 1.2L engine attracts daily commuters, the 1.0L turbo-petrol appeals to buyers who want:
- Strong pickup
- Highway-friendly performance
- Quick acceleration
- Sporty driving dynamics
The availability of the advanced DCT automatic gearbox further boosts demand among buyers who want convenience and performance.
Hyundai’s turbo-petrol engines have already built a strong reputation in models like the i20, N Line series, and Creta—raising buyer confidence.
✅ 8. Rising Popularity of Automatic Transmissions
A major factor boosting petrol demand is the growing preference for automatic cars.
The Venue offers:
- DCT (dual-clutch automatic)
- iMT (clutchless manual)
- Manual transmission
Diesel variants often have limited transmission options compared to petrol, reducing their appeal.
In metro cities, where traffic congestion is heavy, automatic petrol SUVs are becoming the norm, pushing up Venue petrol sales.
✅ 9. Long-term Cost Benefits Favor Petrol for Most Users
Earlier, heavy users who drove more than 1,000–1,200 km per month preferred diesel for cost savings. But today:
- Petrol mileage has improved
- Diesel price benefits are less significant
- Maintenance costs favor petrol
- EVs and CNG options are increasing
As a result, even high-mileage users sometimes prefer petrol over diesel.
✅ 10. Market Trends Support Petrol Growth
The Indian automotive market is shifting toward:
- Compact SUVs
- Automatic transmissions
- Petrol and EVs
- Low-maintenance vehicles
This overall shift aligns perfectly with the strengths of the Hyundai Venue petrol variants.
Hyundai’s reputation for reliability, resale value, and strong service network further boosts buyer confidence.
✅ 11. What This Means for Hyundai and the Market
The rise in petrol demand signals several things:
✅ For Hyundai
- Petrol-focused production may increase
- More turbo variants might be introduced
- Diesel may become limited to specific buyers
✅ For the Market
- Compact SUV buyers prefer petrol for daily use
- Diesel may remain strong only in larger SUVs
- More manufacturers may reduce diesel offerings
This is a natural evolution driven by cost, performance, and market needs.
✅ Conclusion
The surge in demand for the petrol-powered Hyundai Venue is not surprising given the changing dynamics in India’s automotive market. With lower upfront costs, smoother performance, affordable maintenance, and refined driving experience, the petrol Venue offers excellent value for money.
As buyer preferences continue to evolve, the Venue petrol is expected to remain the top choice for urban families and young professionals who seek comfort, modern features, and a trouble-free ownership experience.