• The Venue is geared towards urban use. All photos: Hyundai
    The Venue is geared towards urban use. All photos: Hyundai
  • All very neat and tidy
    All very neat and tidy
  • Front seating
    Front seating
  • The SUV's central touchscreen
    The SUV's central touchscreen
  • The console on the Venue is uncomplicated
    The console on the Venue is uncomplicated
  • It's built for city roads
    It's built for city roads
  • The gearbox set up
    The gearbox set up
  • A close-up of the grille
    A close-up of the grille
  • The driver information console
    The driver information console
  • Out on the tarmac
    Out on the tarmac
  • The Venue only has a front-wheel drive option
    The Venue only has a front-wheel drive option
  • Spacious back seats
    Spacious back seats

Hyundai Venue 2023 SUV coming to UAE


Simon Wilgress-Pipe
  • English
  • Arabic

Hyundai has announced an upgrade of its Venue model in the Middle East, its trim little crossover.

The 2023 arrival’s compactness makes it the brand’s smallest SUV, the polar opposite of its commodious stablemates the Staria and Palisade.

The Venue isn’t one for off-roaders, though — the latest version is still only available in two-wheel drive.

As a whole product, the new car has been created with what Hyundai calls its design philosophy of "sensuous sportiness".

What that equates to in terms of external stylings is a dark chrome front grille that gives the car an imposing stance, while an air of frivolity comes from a front skid plate and dual-tone bumpers.

The outside has also been smartened up with the addition of chrome door handles and five-spoke alloy wheels, as well as bridge-style roof rails.

The rear end of the 2023 Venue is wider than previous incarnations, making getting your kit in and out a little easier.

Front seating in the Venue. Photo: Hyundai
Front seating in the Venue. Photo: Hyundai

Power comes from a one-litre turbocharged engine, which, while sounding modest, will still produce 121 horsepower and 172Nm of torque.

You also now get a choice of drive modes — normal, sport and eco — so you should be able to get a bit of extra oomph when you need it.

An eight-inch colour touchscreen is standard when it comes to the Venue's interior tech.

The seating has been upgraded, with rear passengers getting some extra leg room.

The Venue will be in Hyundai showrooms in the UAE imminently. Exact regional pricing is yet to be announced.

Ford Raptor trio arrives in the Middle East — in pictures

  • Ford's trio of Raptors has arrived in the Middle East. All photos: Ford
    Ford's trio of Raptors has arrived in the Middle East. All photos: Ford
  • A Ranger on the move
    A Ranger on the move
  • Inside the F-150 Raptor
    Inside the F-150 Raptor
  • Ready for the rough stuff
    Ready for the rough stuff
  • Broncos set to roll
    Broncos set to roll
  • Inside the Bronco
    Inside the Bronco
  • Up close with the F-150
    Up close with the F-150
  • Air intakes on the Ranger
    Air intakes on the Ranger
  • Just in case you forget what you're driving
    Just in case you forget what you're driving
  • Inside the Ranger
    Inside the Ranger
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Dubai Rugby Sevens

November 30, December 1-2
International Vets
Christina Noble Children’s Foundation fixtures

Thursday, November 30:

10.20am, Pitch 3, v 100 World Legends Project
1.20pm, Pitch 4, v Malta Marauders

Friday, December 1:

9am, Pitch 4, v SBA Pirates

The Bio

Name: Lynn Davison

Profession: History teacher at Al Yasmina Academy, Abu Dhabi

Children: She has one son, Casey, 28

Hometown: Pontefract, West Yorkshire in the UK

Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Favourite Author: CJ Sansom

Favourite holiday destination: Bali

Favourite food: A Sunday roast

Heavily-sugared soft drinks slip through the tax net

Some popular drinks with high levels of sugar and caffeine have slipped through the fizz drink tax loophole, as they are not carbonated or classed as an energy drink.

Arizona Iced Tea with lemon is one of those beverages, with one 240 millilitre serving offering up 23 grams of sugar - about six teaspoons.

A 680ml can of Arizona Iced Tea costs just Dh6.

Most sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, five teaspoons of sugar in a 500ml bottle.

The specs

Price, base / as tested Dh1,100,000 (est)

Engine 5.2-litre V10

Gearbox seven-speed dual clutch

Power 630bhp @ 8,000rpm

Torque 600Nm @ 6,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined 15.7L / 100km (est) 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE

When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.

In numbers: China in Dubai

The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000

Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000

Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

Race card

1.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m

2pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 84,000 (D) 1,400m

2.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,200m

3pm: Conditions (TB) Dh 100,000 (D) 1.950m

3.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 76,000 (D) 1,800m

4pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,600m

4.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 68,000 (D) 1,000m

Classification of skills

A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation. 

A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.

The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000. 

UAE tour of Zimbabwe

All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – UAE won by 36 runs
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I

Updated: February 24, 2023, 7:01 AM