Opening
The Hyundai Creta has been a huge success for the Korean car maker. It feels solidly built, has great quality levels, is very refined and despite being compact, it looks butch and has loads of presence. Not resting on its success, Hyundai has launched yet another variant of the Creta. This new variant is for those who would be moving an inch at a time in city traffic and also who want a practical car for the occasional weekend trip. The financial math doesn’t warrant a diesel with such limited running. This is why the new Creta petrol automatic makes so much sense. It combines the stress-free nature of driving an automatic with a refined petrol motor and a price which is nearly two lakh lesser than the diesel automatic version.
Appearance Exterior
The Hyundai Creta looks its part as an SUV. Though it is based on the Elite i20 platform, the Creta is more SUV than a crossover hatchback and that is evident with the 190mm ground clearance. The front fascia is dominated by the hexagonal grille, signature Fluidic 2.0. The angular swept backheadlamps look modern and they are equipped with projector beam with LED day-time running lamps.
The profile looks butch thanks to the 17-inch alloy wheels filling up the flared wheel arches, the strong shoulder line and the black cladding that wraps around the car. The tail design has a European touch with the high mounted wraparound tail lamps and the blacked out lower portion of the bumper helping it hide some of the visual mass. The roof rails and the integrated rear spoiler adds to the styling quotient of this impressive looking compact SUV.
Appearance Interior
The cabin is a pleasant mix of grey with brushed aluminium accents and a bronze-ish shade fabric. The dashboard is nicely laid out and the layered design makes it look modern. You sit high up in the Creta and the slim A-pillars and low window-line offers an unhindered view out upfront. The large touchscreen screen dominates proceedings and the cabin feels modern. The chunky leather wrapped steering wheel feels great to hold and is placed at an ideal height. The large front seats are well contoured and feel comfortable over long journeys too. At the rear too there is good amount of kneeroom and the long seat squab provides good under thigh support. The backrest angle is just right and like the front seats, the rear seats have the right amount of firmness, making them comfortable even over long hauls.The flat floor and the wide cabin makes it ideal for three passengers too. The boot at 402litres is well shaped and the 60:40 split folding rear seat adds to its practicality. Another commendable aspect of the Creta is the sound insulation which is best in class and makes it a soothing companion.
The equipment list starts with push-button start, tilt-adjustable steering column and a driver adjustable driver seat. The Creta comes with cruise-control, electrically adjustable and retractable wing mirrors and auto-dimming internal mirror. The touch-screen infotainment system plays video only when you are stationary and gets USB, auxillary as well as Bluetooth connectivity. The touch-screen interface is intuitive and needs a firm poke for operation. GPS navigation is standard. The front windshield wipers also get a variable intermittent function which is handy especially during rain.
Performance Drive
The Creta SX+ automatic gets the 1.6-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine that has been performing its duties in the Verna. The 1591cc four-cylinder mill churns out 122bhp of power at 6400rpm and 154Nm of torque at 4850rpm. The engine is mated to a five-speed torque converter automatic gearbox that drives the front wheels. The four valve-per-cylinder engine runs variable valve timing to optimise fuel economy as well as the power output.
The Creta has good city manners especially in stop-and-go traffic. The engine responds well at low revs and the torque converter lag is minimal. When the traffic eases out, the Creta builds speed gradually. But if you are lugging around at city speeds and need to overtake someone quickly, the Creta will downshift and whine and not go until you step on more gas. And that is because the power output of this engine is all packed at the top. Even max torque comes in at 4850rpm, a little too far up. The gearbox, hence, has to downshift every time you step on the throttle to gain some speed. The gearbox on the other hand is nice and shifts quickly. But in pursuit of saving the engine, the gearbox doesn’t downshift near the redline and shifting gears manually don’t help matters either. Although it has more than adequate power, the Creta feels much slower than what the power figure of 122bhp suggests.
The ride and handling, though, is the surprise element of the Creta. Hyundai has got the suspension damping right on the Creta and at high speeds, unlike previous Hyundais, it rides with well controlled body movements. The composure of the setup is evident even for uneven low speed bumps. The insulation keeps the thuds and bangs away from the cabin giving the Creta a silent and plush ride. The steering is precise and but there is a bit of inconsistency in the way it weighs up. The body roll around corners is minimal for its size and it feels safe and secured even when pushed hard. The brakes on the Creta have good bite but a more linear feel would have been welcomed.
Tech Specs
Make | Hyundai |
Model | Creta |
Fuel | Petrol |
Variant | Automatic SX+ |
Engine Capacity | 1591 |
Max. Power (bhp@rpm) | 122 @ 6400 |
Max. torque (Nm@rpm) | 154 @ 4850 |
Gears | Six-speed automatic |
Length mm | 4270 |
Width mm | 1780 |
Height mm | 1630 |
Wheelbase mm | 2590 |
Fuel Capacity (in litres) | 55 |
Features
Features | |
2 SRS airbags | Yes |
Rear parking sensors | Yes |
Reversing camera | Yes |
Electrically foldable mirrors | Yes |
Fully automatic air-conditioning | Yes |
Keyless entry with button start | Yes |
Shark fin antenna | Yes |
Cornering lamps | Yes |
Projector headlamps | Yes |
Competition All Specs
Specifications | Hyundai Creta |
Honda BR-V |
Variant | Automatic SX+ | V CVT |
Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
Engine Capacity | 1591 | 1497 |
Max. Power (bhp@rpm) | 122 @ 6400 | 118 @ 6600 |
Max. torque (Nm@rpm) | 154 @ 4850 | 145 @ 4600 |
Gears | Six-speed automatic | CVT-auto |
Length mm | 4270 | 4453 |
Width mm | 1780 | 1735 |
Height mm | 1630 | 1666 |
Wheelbase mm | 2590 | 2662 |
Fuel Capacity (in litres) | 55 | 42 |
Conclusion
At an on-road price of close to Rs 15 lakh, the Creta petrol auto does justice to the money it demands. It feels big and stylish, the cabin is well laid out and comes loaded with features. The ride is silent and composed and will not tire you, even after a full day of driving. There is enough space for five occupants and their luggage as well. The fit and finish and interior quality is class-leading which makes it feel premium too. The engine and gearbox work well in tandem and are good for everyday driving unless you are after outright performance. By adding the automatic petrol variant in the Creta’s portfolio, Hyundai has given an option for people seeking a stress-free, premium, urban compact SUV.
Photo Courtesy By : Kapil Angane