Hyundai Exter Review: Another Creta Story?

Hyundai Exter Review: What is Exter? I have a feeling that some of my friends might not be too thrilled with my story - maybe more than just a few. You see that kind of car enthusiasts who aren't too keen on the idea of calling two-wheel drive, feature-loaded tall cars- SUVs. They tend to get triggered (in contemporary pop language) when they see the latest listicles featuring micro SUVs. And the newest entry in that segment is the Hyundai Exter. This car comes with a 1.2 L engine and options for both petrol and CNG. The designers of the Exter have tried to tick all the right boxes when it comes to designing an SUV - boxy face, angular-amplified wheel arches, skid plates, and more - but all on a car that's just 3815 mm long, 1631 mm high, with a wheelbase of 2450 mm and a ground clearance of 185 mm. It's a really interesting composition that's being pitted against the Tata Punch, but that's not the whole story. Let me explain why.

Why Hyundai Exter?

The reason is simple, numbers! India’s sub compact SUV segment is booming, both sales and options wise. There is a Hyundai product already in this segment, which is competing with around 8 more models. Now, Hyundai is reading this segment within a segment more minutely. The segment which has Punch at one end and Magnite and Kiger at the other end. Many customers put Ignis in the same range as well. The Korean manufacturer is confident of this segment’s growth, maybe better than the sub-compact segment now. Hence, the latest Hyundai Exter.

Apparently this is a car which Hyundai engineers have been working on before the Punch was launched. With a vision that the love for SUV shaped cars would trickle further down in the segment chain. For the customers who don’t have the budget for compact SUVs, not keen on crossovers, or heightened versions of existing hatchbacks. In a nutshell, in the Indian small car market venn diagram, Exter might be common in many circles.

Hyundai Exter Kitna Deti Hai?

The Hyundai Exter comes with the petrol 1.2 L Kappa engine (can choose between the manual and AMT versions) and CNG option (only with manual transmission). The petrol version produces 83ps and 114 Nm of torque, whereas the CNG option delivers 69ps of power and 95 Nm of torque. The fuel efficiency figures for the petrol version is just above 19kmpl and the CNG version has a tested figure of 27.1km/kg.

Should we call Hyundai Exter an SUV?

That is a tricky question. Why? For a simple reason that most of the SUVs hardly get to do what they are supposed to do, or as they are marketed. Most of the SUVs currently sold in the market spend their whole life on tarmac. Adventure for them is crossing a waterlogged street in the cities or taking detours via broken roads on the highways. Current generation of SUVs have this simple spiritual purpose-make their owners feel empowered.

The combination of height, size, bulk, boxy face and ground clearance should make the customers feel like a higher being and intimidate other cars on the roads. In other words, do not get intimidated by others. All of this while driving like a car. Now, scale down these expectations and Exter can do most of this. Yes, yes, I agree, minus the bulk and intimidating part.

Now the day-to-day real driving part. I started with the smart auto AMT version of the latest Hyundai Exter. The transmission felt responsive, smooth and intuitive. It was changing quickly when the accelerator was used gently as we generally do during our urban commutes. However the mood changed when I started pushing it a bit more aggressively, while trying to overtake or checking if its acceleration had a punch doing 0-60kmph. In that scenario I felt late gear shifts, sustaining the power as the driver demanded. In both the scenarios, the behavior was consistent, smooth and predictable. Exter has a likeable urban drive. Reminds me of how the automatics or AMTs, even in the small cars have evolved, become smoother and sorted. The usual lag and waiting game while trying to overtake in an automatic has improved.

Then I drove the manual version, I liked it even more. It was quick and quirky. Give it a nice push and it pulls with some extra tyre screeching sound effect. Overall, the engine and transmission combo is making a smooth small car with enough low end pull which is very helpful in navigating heavy traffic. Launching from a redlight or trying to overtake a car in traffic the Exter doesn’t feel hesitant.

Has Hyundai compromised with the features in Exter?

Nope. The Exter comes as the most connected Hyundai, with around 60 connectivity functions and other features we see on most of the latest Hyundai cars. This car can understand 12 languages, including 10 Indian. Plus some features which are not very common in this segment. Other than the usual stuff, Exter gets a smartphone wireless charger, type C USB fast charger, cruise control, rear AC vents, push button start, paddle shifters and a cooled glove box. Exter comes with an 8-inch infotainment screen and 4.2 inch TFT MID. And above all-a sunroof. Last but not the least, the dashcam. I am not sure if it will help you improve your Instagram game but looking at that I could think of only one thing, in current traffic and road rage situations, this might be helpful.

What are the crash test ratings for Hyundai Exter?

This is the first time Hyundai seems to be working hard to address the common Indian buyers’ question these days- what is the crash test rating? How many stars in the NCAP test? At the launch event itself Hyundai clearly mentioned the usage of advanced high strength steel, standard six airbags, 40 advanced safety features, and 26 standard safety features. Company’s spokespersons didn’t forget to underline the fact that to qualify for the new guidelines for NCAP ratings, cars need to have 6 airbags standard. The Exter has dual front, side and curtain airbags. It also gets first in segment electronic stability control, vehicle stability management, hill assist control. In total, the Exter gets 26 standard safety features. So, will the Exter be a 5 Star car? Will have to wait.

Should you buy Exter or not?

I know, you must have read, seen and watched more than enough stories, videos, reels on the latest Exter, so the answer to the question above might not be relevant or useful. But, since there are a couple of readers who have scrolled straight down to this part of the story (and more than half a dozen readers who actually read the whole review) I have answers. First the short one-yes, you can go for the Exter if you are looking for a small car under 10 lakh, for a small family (4 full size to be precise) and want a feature rich, versatile car. I assume that you know that versatility here doesn’t include weekend off-roading trips.

Now the long answer. After spending a couple of hours with the Hyundai Exter, I was looking for a headline. I came up with the line I wrote at the beginning of this story. Why do I feel that? Now, the Exter has come into a segment which is competitive but growing, and Exter as a package seems to have a potential to expand that segment, targeting not only the Punch or Kiger/Magnite customers but top end Swift, Ignis, i10 NIOS kind of customers as well. Yes, it could be a bit wider for better shoulder space for the second row but it is spacious, has a taller feel inside and good urban drive makes it a good city car. Yes, the price difference is substantial considering the segment but it has a couple of added value propositions too.

(Just to clarify it for my friends, I am not saying it is an SUV-SUV, but yes it does tick many boxes which customers kind of expect or accept these days or use the compact-subcompact SUVs for.)