Apart from the odd splashes of colour-stitching and -inserts in its models, Hyundai doesn’t usually dabble in funky detailing (it tends to leavethat to sister brand Kia).With the Venue Flux edition, however, Hyundai has added youthful appeal to its compact family car.

Launched late in the South African late in 2019, the Hyundai Venue has proved instantly popular in the local market. Although based on a compact hatchback platform, the small crossover’s “baby SUV”– replete with its blocky, retro design cues – appeals to young buyers by virtue of being fashionable and affordable, but the model has also proved popular with older buyerswho are looking to buy down and drive a compact car that's both easy to manoeuvre and offers the benefit of a slightly-raised driving position.

A fresh "hot-stamped" grille makes the Venue Flux look instantly upmarket.

One of the Venue’s most distinguishing features is its upright egg-crate-patterned grille, but following the introduction of the new Elantra and new-look Santa Fe, for example, both of which feature shapely grilles with geometric-patterned mesh– integral to Hyundai’s new "Sensuous Sportiness"design language – it suddenly looks a little dated.

However, Hyundai has now introduced a new Flex derivative in its home market of South Korea. The newcomer features a “hot-stamped” grille that brings the frontal aspect of the firm’s compact family car in line with the those of newer models… it is a cue that could preview a mild facelift or just a bold model-year update in the near future.

Is that contrast colour yellow or green… or yellow-green? Whichever it is, it complements the dark-grey body colour smartly.

But the makeover doesn’t end with a fresh grille design, however. Hyundai has given the Flex edition's roof and side-mirror housings an acid yellow (or dayglow/neon yellow, as that hue is also commonly called) finish and fitted similarly-hued accents to the lower bumper inserts and wheel-arch cladding. To complete the look, the firm has applied matching acid yellow pin-striping on the side skirts, as well as circular badges (bearing a V) to the C-pillars.

During our recent review of the Hyundai i30 N, the brand’s maiden hot hatch and the first N model to be made available in South Africa, our testers lamented the lack of distinctive detailing inside the vehicle to set it apart as special derivative in the marque's line-up. By contrast, the Venue Flux’s cabin features a multitude of sporty touches…

The sporty black/grey combination seat upholstery is highlighted by yellow piping and stitching.

The interior features yellow highlights on the temperature and ventilation control dials, drive-mode dial and air-vent adjusters. White and yellow contrast stitching (complemented by piping on the black/grey seat upholstery) feature on the door cards, outer armrests, gear-shift boot and the inner rim of the steering wheel.

Otherwise, the Venue is unchanged mechanically from its sibling derivatives. The Flux edition is liberally equipped in Korea; it comes with, inter alia, forward collision avoidance- and lane-keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot collision- and driver-attention warning, high-beam assist and tyre a pressure monitoring system.

The yellow interior highlighting is most prominent on the Hyundai's climate control dials.

For now, the Flex edition is reserved for the Korean market. In South Africa, Hyundai’s compact family car comes standard with a 5-year/150 000 km vehicle warranty, 7-year/200 000 km drivetrain warrantyand a 3-year/45000 km serviceplan. Pricing for the range begins R279900 and tops out at R378500 for the 1.0T Glide.

Read/watch our comparison of the 1.0T Fluid Auto derivative with the VW T-Cross 1.0 TSI 85 kW Highline

New Hyundai Venue Specs & Prices in South Africa

Buy a used Hyundai Venue on Cars.co.za

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