Used Hyundai Venue: Is Manual Transmission Still King Over Automatic?

The Hyundai Venue has carved a strong position in the pre-owned market, offering both manual and automatic transmission options. While automatics are gaining traction due to their convenience, manual transmissions continue to dominate used car sales, particularly for brands like Hyundai.

Holding a 21.9% share in the used car market, Hyundai remains the second most sought-after manufacturer, with the Venue being a top-selling compact SUV in this space. According to CARS24’s 2024 used car market report, the share of automatic vehicles in the used market increased from 11.8% in 2022 to 14.7% in 2024. However, Hyundai Venue sales reflect a clear preference for manuals.

Used Hyundai Venue Sales Favour Manual Over Automatic

Among used Hyundai Venues in the pre-owned car market, manual transmission remains the dominant choice for Hyundai Venue buyers. With an average of 79% of used Venue models sold between 2021 and 2024 featured a manual transmission. This is primarily due to a manual transmission's simplicity, higher fuel efficiency, and comparatively lower maintenance costs. In 2024, used sales of the Venue in its various engine and transmission combinations were divided as:

• Petrol engine with manual transmission: 64.2% of all used Venue sales
• Petrol engine with automatic transmission: 17.6% of all used Venue sales
• Diesel engine with manual transmission: 18.3% of all used diesel Venue sales

Nearly 8 out of 10 second hand Hyundai Venue cars sold came equipped with a manual transmission. Despite the ease of driving automatics, their lower resale value, higher maintenance costs, and concerns about lower fuel efficiency have contributed to their slow adoption in the pre-owned market.

Demand for Used Automatic Hyundai Venue Have Declined Since 2021

From 2021 to 2024, market trends have shown a consistent decline in the popularity of automatic transmission equipped Hyundai Venue models:

• 2021: Automatic variants accounted for 26.48% of all used Hyundai Venue sales, the highest recorded share.
• 2022: Automatic transmission share dropped to 18.16%, as fuel price hikes led buyers to consider more fuel-efficient manual variants.
• 2023: Automatic share recovered to 21.2%, as buyers in metro cities leaned toward convenience of the auto transmission.
• 2024: Automatic sales dropped to an all-time low of 17.6%, with even the latest generation of the Hyundai Venue still lacking an automatic diesel option. Thus, with rising fuel costs, the more fuel efficient manual transmission is preferred by buyers. 

Despite the initial growth in automatic demand, manual variants remain the first choice for buyers, particularly in non-metro areas where automatics are perceived to be expensive and harder to maintain.

Hyundai Venue Engine and Transmission Options

Since its launch, the Hyundai Venue has been offered with multiple engine and transmission options, catering to different driving needs.

Petrol Variants

• 1.2-Litre Kappa Petrol Engine
  • Transmission options: 5-speed Manual
  • Power: 82 bhp
  • Torque: 114 Nm

• 1.0-Litre Turbo Petrol Engine
  • Transmission options: 6-speed Manual / 6-speed iMT Clutchless Manual / 7-speed DCT automatic
  • Power: 118bhp
  • Torque: 172 Nm

Diesel Variants

• 1.5-Litre U2 CRDi Diesel Engine
  • Transmission options: 6-speed Manual only
  • Power: 113 bhp
  • Torque: 250 Nm

The lack of a diesel automatic variant automatically excludes the benefits from the diesel engine’s fuel-efficiency and reduces options for buyers. The DCT is perceived to be a sporty gearbox and paired with the more powerful 1.0-litre-turbo petrol, it too isn’t popular among value conscious used car buyers.

The iMT gearbox on the other hand, bridges an important gap for those who want the convenience of clutch-free operation with the involvement of manual shifting. The presence of this alternative solution among used manual transmission Venue cars, possibly explains the declining demand for the automatic variants.

Used Hyundai Venue Market Pricing

One of the reasons for Hyundai Venue’s strong presence in the used car market is its competitive resale value. Due to the brand’s reputation for reliable cars and the Venue’s low maintenance costs, it holds its value better over time.

Average Used Selling Price

Key Takeaways

1. Manual transmission Hyundai Venue dominates used car sales – In 2024, over 82% of used Venue sales were manual, indicating a strong preference for affordability and better fuel efficiency.
2. Venue’s automatic transmission share has declined over the years – After peaking at 26.48% in 2021, automatic sales for used Venues have fallen to 17.6% in 2024, largely due to iMT presenting itself as a cost-effective alternative.
3. Resale value for automatic models is lower – Petrol manual variants command better resale prices in the used car market compared to automatics. Manuals are usually more cost-effective to maintain and return better fuel-efficiency.
4. The Hyundai Venue diesel variant is only available with a manual transmission – This has influenced buying trends, as diesel buyers prefer manual for long-term ownership.
5. Urban buyers still lean toward automatics – Automatic transmission demand, although smaller in comparison, still remains on the upward trend in metro cities.

Conclusion

While the automatic transmission is gradually gaining popularity, manual Hyundai Venue models remain the preferred choice in the used car market. Factors such as better fuel efficiency, lower maintenance costs, and higher resale value make manual variants more attractive. However, in urban markets where traffic congestion is a challenge, automatics continue to hold a niche appeal. 

For buyers prioritizing affordability and efficiency, the manual Hyundai Venue remains the best selling used option. For those looking for convenience, petrol automatic variants offer a smoother driving experience, albeit with slightly higher costs.