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RPM TV Website | March 25, 2024

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Hyundai Creta tackles small SUV market

Hyundai Creta tackles small SUV market
Deon Schoeman

Hyundai has launched an all-new model in South Africa. Taking its place in the Korean marque’s line-up just below the Tucson SUV, the India-built Creta is Hyundai’s contender in the ultra-competitive compact SUV market.

The Creta’s styling isn’t ground-breaking or even particularly eye-catching, relying instead on a set of rather generic styling cues to bring across its SUV pretensions: tall stance, big grille and a squared off appearance that is effective, if not all that innovative.

The interior is a combination of good spec and Hyundai’s proven ergonomics. Some materials are on the budget side, but the overall execution is good, with a real sense of solidity.

There is only one spec level across the range. Tech highlights include a large touchscreen in the centre console, which includes sat-nav as standard. Bluetooth, USB, two-tone seat material and rear park distance control with reversing camera are also part of the package.

The engines options include a naturally aspirated 1 600 cc petrol delivering 90 kW and 150 Nm, matched to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic gearbox. The turbodiesel, with 94 kW and 260 Nm, is only available with a six-speed automatic gearbox.

We drove the Creta at its local debut event in the Western Cape, and found the ride setup one of the highlights. It’s  compliant on rougher surfaces, while still delivering confident road manners on mildly challenging routes. The steering feel is also good: lighter at lower speed, but firming up as the pace increases.

Pricing is keen, starting at R319 900 for the 1.6 Executive, while the auto version retails for R339 900. The 1.6 Executive Diesel AT flagship carries a R369 900 price tag.

We’ll have a full review of the Hyundai Creta on the RPM TV motoring show in the next few weeks.

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