SUV Subcompact

Hyundai Australia has quietly released the Venue Launch Edition alongside the core three-tier line-up, priced from $25,990 plus on-road costs. Limited to just 100 units, the Launch Edition commands $500 over the top-spec Elite but gains a powered sunroof and exclusive single-tone colour options not available across the wider range, Available hues are Exotic Green (top) and Lava Orange (below), both complemented by black cloth interior trim.

Hyundai has offered an early look at the final design of its upcoming Venue compact crossover, ahead of its full reveal at the New York motor show on April 17. Following the leaked images of a pre-production car last week, the sketches show a fairly muscular take on the new model, which clearly draws design inspiration from the larger Santa Fe and Palisade.

Hyundai has confirmed it will present a new baby crossover next month at the New York motor show, slotting underneath the Kona in its global line-up. Speaking with North America's Motor Trend, SangYup Lee, head of the Hyundai Global Design Center in Namyang, Korea, confirmed the new model will be unveiled in the Big Apple in April, and hinted at what to expect from the design.

Small SUVs, high-riding hatchbacks, little crossovers. Not matter what you call them, sales in this part of the market are absolutely booming, pinching sales from the depleting Small Car and Light Car segments. While the overall new vehicle market has cooled by 0.3% over last year’s record (to the end of August), sales in the ‘Small SUV’ segment have leapt up by almost 25%, to 93,415 units.

The top-selling Mazda CX-3 small crossover will receive a range of pretty low-key upgrades before the end of the year, as previewed on the US model this week at the New York Auto Show. This is the second upgrade since 2015, and focuses on improvements to driving refinement and cabin feel. The show car appears to be a top-spec version, known as the Akari here.