Hyundai Creta First Drive India Review

Every story we put up online about this new Hyundai compact SUV has received insane number of views, which clearly translates to the kind of anticipation Indian car buyers have for the Hyundai Creta. This Indian version is based on Hyundai ix25 which is a China specific model, but has been further optimised to suit our requirements and environment. To be produced in Hyundai Motor India’s second plant at Sriperumbudur on the outskirts of Chennai, the company hopes to sell around 4000-5000 units every month.

The Hyundai Creta has a handsome face and there’s evident inspiration from the larger Hyundai Santa Fe. There the usual Fluidic hexagonal grille, here with three chrome slats. The headlight comes with projector lamps and LED day time running lights, while the fog lamps are vertically positioned on the large front bumper. Front head on the Creta has a nice and high stance, as desired by all SUV buyers.

There’s a fare bit of chrome strips to please the Indian palate, from the fog lamp housing, integrated indicators on OVRMs to the chunky strip on the rear number plate. In profile the Hyundai Creta look butch and solid especially since the top of the line (SX-O) version gets massive 17-inch wheels fitted with a set of 215/60 R17 tyres which are without a shadow of a doubt the largest in its class. The black A- and B-pillars try to give a floating roof effect, while the silver roofrails add to the pure SUV aura. And to complete the rugged look there are sump guards in front and back, and matt black cladding all-round on the lower part off the SUV. The Creta’s body and structure has been optimised after extensive Indian specific evaluation. High tensile steel has been used to give it better ride and dynamics, and Hyundai claims that it has class leading body rigidity and crash protection.

Step in and one is greeted with the best looking interior in its class. The two-tone dashboard, quality of plastic and overall finish makes the Hyundai Creta standout among its rivals. The black-and-silver multi-functional steering wheel resembles the one on the Hyundai Fluidic Verna. While the dials and AC controls seem to have been borrowed from the Hyundai Elite i20. There are plenty of cubbyholes - two coffee-cup holders near the gear lever, and decent sized bottle holders on all four door panels.

Higher variants sport a 7-inch touch screen infotainment system with navigation. While 6 airbags, ABS, hill descend control, leather seats and steering mounted controls for audio system and phone are also on offer. The few things missing is electrically adjustable driver’s seat and, maybe, a cooled glovebox. Standard equipment will also include automatic climate control and rear aircon vent which are much needed in our hot and humid weather. What we would have also liked though is for the steering wheel to offer both height and reach adjustment instead of only the height adjustment that it offers currently. 

The seats are well contoured and supportive, while the cabin is surprisingly spacious. The room for the rear passenger is very generous and is fairly comfortable and adequate for average sized Indians especially when it comes to kneeroom. The only issue is shoulder space, as three people on the rear bench is a squeeze. The boot space looks impressive and can easily accommodate luggage of a family, with close to 400-litres of luggage space.

Hyundai is offering three engine options, two diesels including a 90PS, 1.4-litre and a 128PS, 1.6-litre oil-burners; and one 123PS, 1.6-litre petrol. All the motors will come mated with a 6-speed manual gearbox, while the Hyundai Creta 1.6-litre will be the most affordable diesel SUV with a 6-speed automatic gearbox option for around Rs 12 lakh. With the growing awareness and demand for automatic transmission in India, the diesel automatic version of the Hyundai Creta is expected to sell off the shelves like hot cakes.

The diesel 1.6-litre Hyundai Creta should have a claimed fuel economy of around 21kmpl, the smaller 1.4-litre diesel close to 20kmpl; while the petrol variant is expected to have a mileage of approximately 15kmpl. Hyundai is planning to offer the SUV in three variants with “S” being the base, followed by “SX” and “SX (O)”. The much soght for diesel automatic Creta will be offered only in one trim - the SX with optional pack, which will have more features than the SX trim but not all equipment of the usual SX(O) variant. Though the prices of the new Creta SUV will be revealed on July 21, sources say that the base 1.4-litre diesel model could start from Rs 9 lakh; the base 1.6-litre diesel from Rs 10.5 lakh; and the base 1.6-litre petrol from Rs 9 lakh onwards. The top-end Creta would be priced around Rs 13 lakh. The only disappointment is that disc brakes are only offered on the front wheels, while the rear gets drum brakes...even on the top end SX (O) model.

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The Creta despite its tall SUV stance, drives surprisingly like a car. The 1.6-litre diesel motor is pretty quite and on higher revs one can hear a faint buzz. But the cabin insulation and low NVH make the Creta feel more premium than its competition. We drove both the 6-speed manual and automatic. The in the manual the throws are precise and slick, and the motor is fairly peppy for a diesel. Push the motor and the traction control kicks in. With the traction control switched off, a casual 0-100kmph sprint was achieved in close to 13 second. The automatic diesel shifts is seamless but feels a bit lethargic and would take much longer than the manual version. But is so effortless to drive that many city slickers would oversee the shortcoming.

The steering is an improvement over older Hyundai models. It has decent feedback, not very light like hatchbacks but never tiring - which will be a boon for city use. The ride seems pretty comfortable on the Hyundai test track, but we need to drive it on Indian roads to confirm it further. There's visible body roll and isn't as flat as let's say a Duster around corners, but the Creta remains pretty much under control thanks to all the electronics. With just disc in front, the brakes could have been better and more feedback is expected.

The Hyundai Creta is the most well rounded compact SUV offering in it segment. This is saying a lot, considering that it is competing with able and well established products like the Renault Duster, Ford Ecosport, Nissan Terrano and the soon to be launched Maruti Suzuki S Cross. The packaging and the hype around the Creta is so strong that it will not just shake up its segment and the segment below, but will barge in to higher segment of SUVs like the Mahindra XUV500 which is yet to launch an automatic variant. Backed by Hyundai’s reputed aftersales and wide network, there’s hardly any fault one can point out in the new Hyundai Creta.