2020 Hyundai Creta vs Rivals: Specifications Compared

Hyundai India has launched the 2020 Creta with prices starting at Rs 9.99 lakh (ex-showroom). The 2020 Creta is essentially based on the Seltos and is the second iteration of the popular SUV. It comes with a long list of features and has three powertrain options. But are these enough to take on the segment leader, the Seltos? Also joining the fight is the feature loaded MG Hector and the recently updated yet capable 2020 Tata Harrier. Let the game begin!

Dimensions:

*including roof rails.

Longest: MG Hector

Widest: Tata Harrier

Tallest: MG Hector

Wheelbase: MG Hector

Boot Space: MG Hector 

The 2020 Hyundai Creta, which shares its platform with the Kia Seltos, is the smallest SUV in its segment. It’s smaller than the Seltos by 15mm despite having the same wheelbase. The Tata Harrier and MG Hector are the SUVs to go for if size and presence are your main requirements.  

In terms of boot space, the MG Hector has the largest volume followed by the Creta and Seltos, both of which have an identical volume. Surprisingly, the Tata Harrier has the smallest boot despite it being one of the biggest SUVs here. 

Features:

Common features on all four SUVs include a touchscreen infotainment system, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a premium sound system, a sunroof, cruise control, steering-mounted audio controls and keyless entry with push button start.  

The Creta and Seltos are the best equipped of the lot as they come with features like ventilated front seats, a wireless phone charger as well as rear sunblinds. The Seltos takes it up a notch with a head-up display. That said, the Kia comes with a smaller sunroof. The Creta, Seltos and Hector also feature connected car technology.

Meanwhile, the Tata Harrier is the least equipped in this bunch and misses out on connected car technology, a reclining rear seat, ventilated front seats and rear sunblinds. 

Safety Features:

*dealer-level accessory. 

All four SUVs come with 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, electronic stability program, traction control as well as hill hold control. While the Harrier misses out on a tyre pressure monitor, it’s the only SUV to come with hill descent control. Meanwhile, the Seltos and Hector pack front parking sensors and a rearview camera.

Petrol Engines:

Note: Tata Harrier comes with a diesel engine only.

*only in Kia Seltos. 

The Hyundai Creta utilises the same powertrains found in the Kia Seltos. It comes with a 115PS 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol and a 140PS 1.4-litre turbo-petrol. Meanwhile, the MG Hector comes equipped with a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine which is slightly more powerful than Hyundai’s 1.4-litre unit. The Korean manufacturer’s 1.5-litre petrol engine is the least powerful of the lot.  

The MG Hector can also be opted with a mild-hybrid system which comes with functions like torque-assist and start-stop functionality. The latter is limited to the manual variants, though. Speaking of which, the 1.5-litre petrol variant of the Creta, Hector and Seltos come with a 6-speed MT as standard while utilising different automatic options as seen in the table above. While Kia offers a 6-speed manual with the Seltos turbo-petrol, the Creta turbo-petrol can only be had with a dual-clutch automatic.

The Creta, despite using the Seltos’ powertrains, is a tad more fuel efficient. The bigger MG Hector trails both Korean models in this department. 

Diesel Engine:

Just like the petrol model, the diesel Creta also utilises the Seltos’ 1.5-litre CRDI engine that develops 115PS of power and 250Nm of torque. But these figures are significantly lower than the MG Hector and Tata Harrier, both of which utilise a much bigger 2.0-litre unit. In fact, the Hyundai and Kia make 55PS and 100Nm less than the bigger SUVs featured here.  

All four models come with a 6-speed manual as standard. However, if you want a diesel-automatic, all models apart from the MG offer you a 6-speed torque converter. Incidentally, the Harrier automatic utilises a Hyundai-sourced torque converter. 

In terms of fuel efficiency, the Creta is the most fuel efficient of the lot followed by the Seltos and MG Hector. Tata is yet to reveal the fuel efficiency figures for the 2020 Harrier.  

Prices And Verdict: