Creta: Best-in-class

Creta: Best-in-class

The Creta is Hyundai’s entry into the world of compact SUVs. Launched as the ix25 in China, this car is built to take on the likes of the Renault Duster, Nissan Terrano, Ford EcoSport and others in India and also in the global markets. The compact SUV, within six months of its launch, has climbed up to the top of the ladder of the compact SUV segment in terms of sales.   The Hyundai Creta looks like a smaller version of the Santa Fe SUV with a hexagonal chrome grille and thick horizontal slats. It uses the fluidic design sculpt with edgy design compared to the rounded styling of the Santa Fe. It has a muscular stance with the wide bonnet, swept back headlamps, blacked out air-dam and innovative vertical fog lamps with black surrounds. The side profile of the Creta is also similar to that of the Santa Fe, which means the stance is forward leaning with flared wheel arches. The rear roofline tapers as it connects with the tail lamps. At the rear, the South Korean automaker has given the Creta a vertically stacked design with each part appearing like a separate section. The first part goes from the spoiler to the base of glass while the second section is from a ridge line at the centre of the hatch door to just above the number plate slot.  Wrap around tail lamps and a silver-coloured base plate complete the appearance of the rear section. Not everyone is going to like the rear profile at first glance, but it is very European and will grow on you in the long run. Hyundai is positioning the Creta as a premium car and the projector headlamps with DRLs, diamond-cut alloy wheels, bold roof rails and liberal usage of chrome vouch for the same. The interior of the Creta is similar to that of the India-spec Verna sedan in terms of the layout. However, where the Verna gets a typical beige interior, the Creta uses black to look sporty. The Creta is feature loaded, the top-spec variant gets auto headlamps and wipers, touch-screen music system, navigation, climate control, rear AC vents, keyless entry and a start-stop button. The majority of the line-up gets two airbags, while Hyundai is offering six airbags with the top-end version. Hyundai has used premium soft touch material for the dashboard and the top-end version gets leather seats with contrasting stitching. The rear bench offers enough knee room and headroom, but it is a little cramped to seat three passengers. The Creta is available with the 1.6-litre petrol engine, along with two diesel engine options – the same 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre four cylinder units from the Verna. The VTVT petrol engine is good to produce 121bhp and 155Nm of torque powering the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. The 1.4-litre diesel uses the same five-speed gearbox and develops 89bhp and 220Nm of torque. The top-spec versions get the 1.6-litre CRDi engine good to produce best in class 126bhp and 260Nm, which is available with six-speed manual and six-speed automatic transmission. The ARAI efficiency figures of the 1.6 petrol, 1.4 diesel and 1.6 diesel MT and AT are 15.29kmpl, 21.38kmpl, 19.67kmpl and 17.01kmpl respectively. The Creta is available in 10 variants from base petrol to 1.6 CRDi SX+ AT in seven colours – polar white, magic blue, sleek silver, red passion, pearl beige, stardust and phantom black shades. With the updated Duster and the upcoming Honda BR-V, the Creta has stiff competition to face while maintaining its position at the top of the compact SUV segment.