Latest iteration of Hyundai’s best-selling model and India’s best-selling midsize SUV gets a fresh exterior and interior, a new 160hp, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and plenty of features and tech.
11 Jan 2024 | 5164 Views | By Akbar Merchant, Autocar India
Hyundai Motor India has released the first official images of its new, facelifted Creta which is to have its market launch on January 16, on social media. The Creta facelift will debut in India first and then be introduced in other international markets. Deliveries for the updated Creta are expected ...
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Hyundai Motor India has released the first official images of its new, facelifted Creta which is to have its market launch on January 16, on social media. The Creta facelift will debut in India first and then be introduced in other international markets. Deliveries for the updated Creta are expected to start by the end of this month.
What’s new up front . . . and at the rear
While this is the first time Hyundai has officially released the exterior pictures, a first set of leaked images had surfaced online. According to sources, the new Creta’s SUV's exterior design has been tweaked keeping Indian customers in focus. The Creta, which is Hyundai’s best-selling model and remains India’s best-selling midsize SUV – 157,111 units in CY2023 and 140,895 units in CY2022 – is one of the most popular SUVs in the country.
Up front, the Creta facelift’s styling is unique for a Hyundai SUV in India albeit it does get a few familiar design cues seen on Hyundai models internationally. The nose is even more upright than before and gets a decent mix of chrome, brushed aluminium, a piano-black finish and LED lighting. Speaking of LED lights, it gets four inverted L-shaped daytime running lamps on the corners, along with an LED light bar that’s placed above the wide grille.
At the rear, the LED light bar setup and tail-lamp design resemble the ones upfront, which helps to keep design elements uniform. The rear bumper is new as well and so is the tailgate design – all this combined gives quite a fresh look to Hyundai’s popular SUV. There aren’t many changes seen on the sides save for all-new alloy wheel designs with 17- or 18-inch wheel options, depending on the variant.
Hyundai Creta facelift interior and features
Two 10.25-inch screens are the highlight of the updated Creta’s interior and there are also changes to the dash and AC vent design, and new-look textures and materials for the upholstery, depending on the variant. The features list has been updated too, and now includes dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, ventilated front seats, an eight-way powered driver’s seat, a Level 2 ADAS suite that is said to have 19 functions, 360-degree cameras, a blind spot monitoring system, among others.
Hyundai Creta facelift powertrain options
The existing 115hp, 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines, which got upgraded last year to comply with BS6 Phase 2 emissions norms, will continue as is, with their respective automatic and manual gearbox options. The refreshed Creta will also get the new 160hp, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol, and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic will be standard with this unit. The updated Creta will be sold in seven trims and seven exterior paint shade options.
Hyundai Creta facelift: rivals in India
The facelifted Creta will continue to rival the likes of the Seltos, Grand Vitara, Hyryder, Taigun and the Kushaq in the Indian midsize SUV market, which is witnessing strong demand. In a few months from now, Tata Motors will also enter this segment with the all-new Curvv SUV, which will be around the same size as the Creta, but will get unique coupe-SUV looks.
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