Very few cars evoke interest like the Creta does. Whenever there’s a new Creta, people take notice. Enthusiasts, prospective car buyers, car admirers, product designers at other OEMs, the valet at your local pub - everyone. It’s been such a stellar success for Hyundai, proving to be as iconic as the Santro - one of India’s most common household names.
The start of the year 2024 has been no different. Folks from all over the country were flown into Jodhpur to experience two things - stay in tents and have their Cretas experienced on the arrow-straight roads of Rajasthan. Strange choice of location, I thought as the journey began. But the reason for choosing this location became evident very soon.
What’s gotten better is the suspension set up and ride quality. Engineers at Hyundai tell us that the rebound has been better controlled with stiffer springs, and the change is noticeable. Remember those unwanted, sometimes uncontrolled vertical movements the Creta would get into on our highways? That’s been eradicated completely. It drives a lot more confidently, and that’s also due to the fact that the chassis has further been stiffened by the use of advanced high-strength steel. As you hustle the Creta around a twisty section of your favorite road, you would notice the driving is a lot more rewarding.
What’s disappointing is the engine performance. Again, in isolation, it feels just about fine and apt for the job, but the Creta’s job has been made tough by the presence of the Verna’s state of tune and the Seltos's driving prowess. Although the figures are the same on paper, it somehow lacks the punch and drama of the other two. There are high hopes for the N-Line Creta being introduced this very year, and my fingers are crossed for an extra power unlock for when it is introduced. The good thing is, if spirited driving is what you seek, there are two powertrains that would deliver - the 1.5-litre turbo petrol and the 1.5-litre diesel, both offering close to 250Nm of torque. Having driven both, there are a few notes I would like to share; the diesel offers close to 800 kilometers of range per tank driven like most adults but is a loud powertrain and makes its presence felt inside the cabin. The turbo-petrol, it’s thirsty, but is reserved only for a select few as Hyundai is currently only offering it in a single, top-of-the-shelf variant.
The biggest talking point in terms of the changes has to be the inclusion of the Level-1 ADAS system. A few features that I got to experience - blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward collision avoidance alert, worked just as expected. This system uses a few components, including a dedicated camera behind the windscreen and two radars hidden behind the bumpers. This very suite of ADAS is also being offered with the Seltos, and having experienced those in a closed facility, it is safe to say these systems are accurate, alert, and an important inclusion towards safety.
The same can be said within a few seconds of you hopping into the cabin. This is where ‘modern’ comes to life. The colors - white and grey, are going to keep you busy keeping them clean but are also going to impress anyone who hops into your Creta. The screens are repositioned and sit inside a huge enclosure, slightly angled towards the driver to make him feel special. The dashboard is entirely redone too, and it introduces three very interesting elements - a slot for the co-passenger to keep their phones (or maybe if the driver wishes to install aftermarket gauges), a panel with a host of buttons and knobs (looks like a control center for a nuclear reactor), and a magnetic pad on the extreme right side that could be used to pin your favorite memories or even some important notes. Homely and nice.
To make something like the Creta look pretty, you need a clean backdrop. You need Rajasthan’s ‘gulabi sunrise,’ and you need a little bit of sand to showcase ‘SUV’ credentials. Did it work?
The face of this new Creta does not split opinions like the one it just replaced. A good start, but that also means it’s not cutting-edge as it used to be. It’s taken a mature approach, drawing inspiration from a bunch of SUVs like the Santa Fe and the Venue. What’s likable is the deletion of shiny chrome - it’s now replaced with darker bits, and the DRLs are chunky and textured, adding a bit of character to the Creta.
The silhouette remains unchanged which means the sporty sloping roof line remains, and that unmistakably Creta-C pillar decorated in that shade of silver retains bits on the side that we all loved. A new set of shoes for the Creta, the design looking almost similar to the i20’s, and integrated roof rails have been added to give it a bit more road presence.
The rear - somehow does not work for me. In isolation, I love those elements - like the connected taillamp and a rugged skid plate, but all put together looks like a forceful mix of sporty and tough. It is worth noting, the execution of changes is spot on, and yes, there are similarities between the Venue and the Creta, but the quality of fit and finish is substantially higher.
Verdict
So there we have it - our driving impressions of the Creta. It will cost you more, and the delta of cost difference has increased substantially as you keep moving up the variant ladder, but there are plenty of features Hyundai is throwing in to sweeten the deal, like dual-zone climate control, sequential turn indicators, a 360-degree camera, connected car tech, and that oh-so-lovely cushion for the rear passengers.
The Creta’s success story is about to be rewritten; there should be absolutely no doubt in the minds of anyone out there. It has defined the segment; it has reigned since inception, giving sleepless nights to other manufacturers with blazing sales figures. While there isn’t any future-ready powertrain option ready yet, sources tell us that an electric Creta is under development and will be introduced post rigorous testing. And that would add yet another feather to its success story. Has the king been reborn to claim the Throne? Ab-Seltosly-yes.
