Selling over 1.1 million (11 lakh) units of a single car is a clear validation of its appeal as is the case with the mighty popular Hyundai Creta. First launched in our market back in July 2015, it took forward the trend of the mid-size SUVs in India at the time. However, no one would’ve anticipated the kind of success it would achieve and how it would popularize this space within a relatively short span of time. Despite being in existence for over 9 years and having tons of worthy rivals, the demand for the SUV is at an all-time high. That is only possible if the carmaker understands the mindset, requirements and changing priorities of the customers. The latest version of the Creta offers all that and more.
Attractive Pricing
The first aspect that one considers while purchasing a new car in India is the price. The latest Hyundai Creta retails from Rs 11 lakh to Rs 20.30 lakh, ex-showroom. Note that this is an extremely wide price bracket which makes it accessible to a wide range of potential customers. In essence, there is a variant of the Creta for just about anyone. That is a smart strategy from the Korean car marque with which it wants to reach more buyers. Also, the prices are at par with the competitors. Hence, there is no premium, which makes the deal even sweeter.
Segment-Best Safety
Remember, Hyundai was the first carmaker in the country to offer 6 airbags as standard across the entire range of every model in its offering. This means that regardless of which car or trim you opt for in India, there will be 6 airbags and a bunch of other safety equipment as standard. This step demonstrates Hyundai’s unwavering commitment to safety. This step was widely applauded by consumers and car experts alike and even encouraged other carmakers to take safety seriously. That is extremely critical in today’s age where customers are conscious about the safety ratings of their cars.
On top of that, the Hyundai Creta takes things to the next level by offering the segment-best Level 2 ADAS to boost the active safety prowess of the car. That is another key feature that new-age customers appreciate. Furthermore, the dual dashcam is a welcome addition to the already expansive list of safety features in the Creta. No other car companies offer it at this price point. All these factors make it one of the safest cars around even from the base model.
Powerful Engines and Well-Sorted Driving Dynamics
The Hyundai Creta is available with three powertrain options including the most powerful mill in this segment – the 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbo petrol engine which generates an impressive 160 PS and 253 Nm of peak power and torque. The other engine alternatives include the familiar 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol mill which generates a decent 115 PS and 144 Nm, and a 1.5-litre diesel engine which belts out a healthy 116 PS and 250 Nm, respectively. Apart from that, the transmission options include manual, automatic, CVT and DCT gearboxes. This ensures that the needs of all kinds of customers are met. This enhances its accessibility across the country. On the other hand, there is even a performance-focused N-Line trim available with the turbo petrol mill.
Now, it is one thing to carry powerful engines and quite another to engineer the appropriate driving dynamics with every variant. For instance, the naturally aspirated petrol engine is a smooth unit which is designed keeping in mind the comfort of the occupants. The suspension setup has been calibrated accordingly as well. However, if you want outright acceleration and handling capabilities, the turbo petrol should be your pick. Finally, for those who have a lot of running and want it easy on their pockets, Hyundai remains one of the few carmakers to offer a diesel engine in this segment. Therefore, every customer will feel like there is a version for him/her.
Interior Comfort and Features
This is one area where Hyundai shines more than most other players. In fact, Hyundai made its entry into the market with the strategy of offering more in-cabin amenities to the buyers in comparison to the competition. As a consequence, we have always seen that ethos spreading across the range where, today, we know that Hyundai offers the most feature-laden products in every segment it operates. This is particularly true for the mid-size SUV category where the Creta blows everyone out of the water with a myriad of tech, connectivity and convenience features. The main highlights include:
- 10.25-inch Connected Supersceen Infotainment Screen
- 10.25-inch Digital Instrument Cluster
- Leatherette Upholstery
- D-Cut Steering Wheel with Multimedia Controls
- Wireless Charging
- Front Row Ventilated Seats
- Drive Modes
- Paddle Shifters
- 8-Speaker Bose Premium Music System
- Hyundai Bluelink Connected Car Tech
- Voice Recognition
- OTA Updates for Map and Infotainment
- Home-to-Car (H2C) with Alexa
- 64-colour Ambient Lighting
- Touch-based AC Controller Unit
- Half Crystal Polished Passenger-side Dashboard
- Voice-Enabled Panoramic Sunroof
- Level 2 ADAS Active Safety – Hyundai SmartSense with 19 features
- Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control
- Blind Spot Monitoring
- 360-Degree Camera
- Ventilated Front Seats
- 8-Way Powered Driver’s Seat
- 6 Airbags
- ESC, VSM
- Hill-Start Assist Control
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
- All Four Disc Brakes
- ISOFIX Child Seat Mounts
- Level 2 ADAS
Exterior Styling
Again, styling has been one of Hyundai’s core strengths over the last few years. It has never hesitated to go bold to bring something fresh to the market. It never likes to play it safe, which is something I truly appreciate. That is the reason why the road presence of most of Hyundai’s cars is unique. At the moment, the Creta embodies the brand’s “Sensuous Sportiness” design philosophy rather well. At the front, its major attractions are Parametric Radiator Grill, a sleek LED strip which runs the width of the SUV, LED DRLs on either side making it look like a connected light strip, rugged elements on the grille along with a chunky logo in the middle create a sporty persona and an adventurous skid plate section which accentuates the tough demeanour of the mid-size SUV.
The main LED headlamp clusters are located on the edges of the bumper – something we have seen in many modern cars, particularly from Hyundai. Moving down the sides reveals elegant and sporty 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, black/silver C-pillars, black/silver integrated roof rails, chrome door handles, side sill garnish, a micro roof antenna, red brake calipers and black or body-coloured ORVMs and more. At the rear, it carries that typical connected LED taillamp which we see on other Hyundai cars as well. Apart from that, you will witness a roof-mounted spoiler, a butch skid plate, and a sporty bumper with a skid plate.
Aftersales Services
Yet another aspect that works in favour of the Korean auto giant is its robust aftersales network. This is something that takes a lot of time to build. Note that Hyundai has been in our market since the late 1990s. Therefore, with close to 3 decades of existence, it has penetrated into even the remote corners of our vast country. That is something its competitors can’t do overnight. Apart from Maruti Suzuki, there is no one close to Hyundai in this regard. That gives the potential car buyers peace of mind knowing that there is a Hyundai touchpoint around the corner. People feel relaxed while buying any Hyundai car since they don’t have to think twice for the service and repair jobs. Most carmakers don’t have this luxury.
Resale Value
A car’s resale value is always a product of its ease-of-ownership. No wonder, then, that the Hyundai Creta enjoys top resale value in the segment. The reasons that make it so popular in the new car market even make it an aspirational product for used car buyers. This, obviously, translates into a great price when the first owner decided to sell off his Creta. All in all, the first owner benefits from a great resale price, while the second owner goes on to enjoy all the above benefits that the SUV offered to its first buyer. A win-win situation for everybody, right?
All these factors combine to make the Hyundai Creta the most-selling mid-size SUV in the country!
