The highly anticipated Hyundai Creta is all set for a launch tommorow (21 July 2015). Styled adhering to Hyundai’s Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design philosophy, the Creta will be the Korean manufacturer’s first crack at India’s rapidly growing compact SUV segment. Priced at a premium, the Creta will purportedly retail from INR 9.14 lakh onwards. (Full price list here)
The Creta will be available with a choice of three power-plants, which include two diesel engines (1.4- and 1.6-liter CRDi), and one petrol engine (1.6-liter VTVT). The 1.6 liter CRDi diesel variant also gets a 6-speed automatic transmission, while the rest will be equipped with 6-speed manual transmissions. Read our first drive impressions here.
The Creta range will spawn five trim levels – Base, S, S+, SX, SX+ and SX(O). While the The Base trim will be available only with the 1.6-liter VTVT and 1.4-liter CRDi variants, S and S+ trims will solely be limited to the 1.4-liter CRDi variant. For variant wise features, click here.
The Creta will also ranks high on keeping its occupants safe, with a high strength steel structure with multiple cross members for enhanced strength and more loading capacity, along with dual, side and curtain air-bags.
Three thick slats of chrome with some detailing on them fill up the large, hexagonal grille. Apart from being a nod to it’s bigger bother, the Santa Fe, the grille should give the Creta a commanding presence on the road. Vertically aligned fog lamps flank the wide air dam, while a black scuff plate guards things. A width of 1780 mm makes the Creta wider than the Ecosport (1765 mm), but slimmer than the Duster (1822 mm).
Projector headlamps, along with LED daytime running lamps would be a part of the platter. Base variants could feature conventional, halogen illumination.
The only shine at the back comes courtesy the chrome appliqué over the registration plate recess. The high set shoulder line accounts for the small rear window. There’s a scuff plate at the back too. The Creta stands 1630 mm high, while the Duster (1695 mm) and Ecosport (1708 mm) both stand taller.
The Creta will be 4270 mm long, which makes it longer than the Ecosport (3999 mm), but shorter than the Duster (4315 mm).
The tail lamps closely mimic the shape of the headlamps, but won’t feature LED illumination.
Boot space is pretty good (no official capacity figures yet), especially when compared to the Ford Ecosport
17-inch diamond cut alloy wheels finished in dark grey look the part. However, lower variants get 16-inch wheels.
The dual tone dashboard is well appointed, with metallic accents around the vertically aligned HVAC vents, an automatic climate-control system, a 7” touch screen enabled infotainment system with navigation, smart-phone integration and 6 speakers.
New, multi-function steering wheel has controls for music, cruise control and telephony.
Instrument cluster is simple, clear and legible. A temperature gauge is a welcome addition that many manufacturers chose to skip these days. Taking centerstage is a LCD, multi information screen which shows a host of information, including the trip/odometer and outside temperature.
Rear legroom is adequate in the second row; however shoulder room at the back seat is good only for two occupants. Seating three abreast is a squeeze. Rear seats occupants get dedicated AC vents.
Images : motortrend.in
