Hyundai Creta 2020-2024

Compared to the first-gen model, the latest avatar of the top-selling SUV is both longer and wider. The design, however, is something that’s far from the rather conventional theme seen on the predecessor. The aesthetics of the latest Hyundai Creta polarize opinions but no matter if you love it or hate it, you simply can’t ignore the sufficiently high street presence this model offers.

Up front, there’s a multi-tier lighting arrangement that’s fast becoming a norm on the latest crop of SUVs. There’s even a huge cascading grille that is flanked by chrome trim. The side profile will remind you of the last-gen version, especially when you focus on the A- and B-pillars but it’s definitely a more modern affair due to bits like the ‘lightning arc’ element and the slightly sloping roofline.

The rear-end is even more dramatic with bolder creases and more radically styled lighting fixtures. Moreover, the European-looking posterior doesn’t really compliment the typically Korean design of the front. However, with thousands of Gen-2 Cretas around, the design has definitely grown on everybody and shouldn’t be a deal-breaker for the prospective buyers.

With an overall length of 4,300 mm and width of 1,790 mm, the Hyundai Creta is 30 mm longer and 20 mm wider than its predecessor. Even its wheelbase, at 2,610 mm, is 20 mm longer. Furthermore, the ground clearance of 190 mm helps this SUV with a bold stance.

Unlike the exterior, the interior of the Hyundai Creta won’t leave you puzzled with its almost other-worldly styling. The dashboard design is quite pleasant with all the controls and layouts being ergonomically placed. The highlight of the dashboard is the high-resolution 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment unit that supports Android Auto as well as Apple CarPlay. The seats are highly supportive and get just the right amount of bolstering.

The front section of the cabin is fairly spacious and the front occupants would even appreciate the sufficiently wide armrest. One also benefits from the several cubby holes and the storage spaces strewn across the cabin. In fact, the top-end version even comes with an 8-way electrically-adjustable driver seat that helps one quickly find the driving position which suits him the best. The steering, though, gets tilt but no telescopic adjustment feature.

Even the rear seats are very comfortable, and the occupants won’t feel a lack of support even during sudden lane changes or quick turns. There’s enough space on offer for two well-built adults and a kid. In fact, even three adults aren’t a squeeze unless you plan to travel for many hours at a stretch. When not travelling with a middle passenger, the occupants here can even benefit from the rear armrest that comes with two cup-holders. There is sufficient legroom, and the beige-black colour theme makes the cabin feel even airier. That said, the all-black theme on the Turbo model won’t make you feel claustrophobic at the back seat.

The top-end SX(O) trim comes with a plethora of features, including BlueSmart connectivity, panoramic sunroof, BOSE surround-sound system, electrically adjustable driver’s seat, LED headlamps, electronic parking brake, cooled front seats and air purifier.

Akin to the Kia Seltos, the latest Hyundai Creta is on sale with three engine options- two petrol and one diesel. The most powerful of these is the 1.4-litre turbo-petrol motor that produces 140 PS and 242 Nm. It comes mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The other two options displace 1.5-litre and offer 115 PS each. The naturally-aspirated petrol motor outputs 148 Nm, while the oil-burner puts out 250 Nm of twisting force. While the less powerful petrol motor is available with a 6-speed manual transmission and a CVT option, the diesel motor can be had either with a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox.

As expected, it’s the 1.4-litre turbo-petrol unit that is the best of the lot. With peak torque coming in as early as 1,500 rpm, there’s little turbo-lag. This is especially because of the lightning fast gear shifts from the dual-clutch transmission. Moreover, one gets to choose between three driving modes – Normal, Sport and Eco. Of course, the performance is toned-down in the interests of better fuel economy in the Eco mode, while the Normal mode offers you the best of both the worlds. The driving enthusiasts, however, will choose to stay in the Sport model owing to the strongest performance and sharp throttle responses. In addition, the Creta even offers 3 traction control modes - Snow, Sand and Mud to help you get out of sticky situations.

In comparison, the 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine option is a lot more sedate but it’s definitely sufficiently powerful and offers enough power across the rev-range. The motor is quite smooth and while the CVT won’t impress the driving enthusiasts, it’s actually a good option for those who need to tackle the urban mess on a daily basis. Meanwhile, the diesel, in a typical Hyundai fashion, impresses with strong performance and high refinement. True, it’s not as powerful as the 1.6-litre version on the old Creta but what it lacks in power is made up for by the improved refinement and fuel efficiency. Also, the 6-speed AT, like before, is a smooth shifting unit with minimal lag.

Among the biggest highlights of the latest Hyundai Creta is the great suspension setup it offers. This compact SUV is definitely the most comfortable option in its price segment and will leave all the occupants impressed with the plushness on offer. In fact, even with the 17-inch wheels and lower profile tires on the high-end variants, the Creta won’t disappoint even on the roughest of the surfaces.

The suspension can easily absorb most of the undulations one can throw at this C-SUV and the ride quality remains top-notch even for the rear seat occupants. True, there’s no ‘magic carpet’ ride on offer here but the suspension keeps everyone comfortable by preventing much of the jerks from creeping into the cabin. At high speeds, the Creta feels stable, which, coupled with the well-controlled NVH (Noise, Vibrations, and Harshness), leads to a very comfortable travelling experience.

The extremely comfortable ride comes at the expense of outright handling capabilities. The latest Creta doesn’t feel as sharp as the Seltos but it’s still an upgrade over the previous version. The steering isn’t as light and even helps you quickly change directions confidently but it just isn’t as communicative as the purists would have liked it to be. Lest we forget, there’s even some body-roll that will keep you from hard cornering.

Despite Hyundai's claims that this SUV is made up of Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS), which can support the weight of two African elephants, 74.3 percent of its structure nevertheless received a rather ordinary grade of 3 stars in the Global NCAP test! The Creta does, however, receive a lot of safety-related features. Six airbags, Electronic Stability Control, Anti-Lock Braking System, Electronic Brake Distribution, Hill Start Assist Control, Vehicle Stability Management, rear parking sensors with camera, rear disc brakes, and ISOFIX child seat anchoring are all included in the top-tier model. The high-end SX and SX(O) trims are the only ones that get several of these amenities, thus not all variants get them.