Harvest in the Wimmera

Harvest across the Wimmera and Mallee is finally coming to an end — well behind traditional schedule. Soaked paddocks after big rains in late 2022 made it difficult for farmers and contractors to complete the job. Eventually, however, for many, both yield and prices have been a pleasing outcome.

Hyundai has announced running changes for its popular Venue light SUV as the model heads into the new year.

Prices increased by as much as $960, with the entry point to the Venue line-up now starting at $21,900 plus on-road costs.

Offering what Hyundai says are new features designed to ‘enhance the Venue experience with comfort, convenience’, and connectivity upgrades across the three-tier range, Qi wireless device charging has become standard across the line-up, while the top-spec

Elite variant gains app-based Bluelink connected car services.

Bluelink introduces features such as automatic collision notification, conversational voice control, connected routing, valet mode, weather updates, calendar synchronisation, destination send-to-car, last-mile navigation, segment-first remote control of cabin temperatures, window open-close and door lock-unlock plus vehicle health reports, find my car, and cloud-based backups of preferred vehicle settings.

Connected car services are available free of charge for the first five years of ownership.

Further, all Venue grades now adopt a customisable 4.2-inch digital instrument panel, USB-C charging ports in the front and rear, and a back seat storage compartment that Hyundai says is suitable for stowing mobile phones.

Rear occupant alert and a self-dimming rear-view mirror now feature as standard across the Venue range, while a new steering wheel control layout includes the addition of a new ‘Custom’ button, which enables the driver to program their favourite desired function for one-push access.

Visually, the MY23 Venue range is differentiated by a shark fin-type antenna in place of the conventional aerial offered previously.

Metallic paint remains an option for an additional charge of $595.

Finally, the 1.6-litre petrol-powered Venue range has been “streamlined” to remove the six-speed manual transmission from the mid-tier Active variant. Manual transmission remains available on the entry grade.

The Venue’s engine produces 90kW of power at 6300rpm and 151Nm of torque at 4850rpm.

The four-cylinder unit returns a claimed combined cycle fuel consumption figure of 7.2 litres per

100km when paired to the six-speed automatic, and 7.0L/100km when fitted with the six-speed manual.

Finishing last year as the fourth-best seller in its segment, the Hyundai Venue notched up total sales of 6440 units.

The segment was led by the Mazda CX-3, with 11,907 unit sales, ahead of the Kia Stonic, 8557, and Toyota Yaris Cross, 8432.

Suzuki’s Jimny finished in fifth place with 5697 unit sales.

— Matt Brogan