Hyundai introduces a fresh-faced Creta to the SUV range
The first-generation Creta hit the market in 2017 and became an instant hit for Hyundai's South African SUV range. It has since sold 14811 units since its launch, so introducing a new Creta in 2020 was a bit of a no brainer for Hyundai. The all-new Creta comes with an appealing eye-catching style and will feature extensive features and driving capabilities that are likely to make it an even more popular choice in SA’s competitive SUV segment.
The new Creta will come in five derivatives with two specification levels ranging from Premium and Executive. Under the hood, the Creta will get three options: a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, a 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine, and a 1.4 turbocharged petrol engine. These engines are controlled in different combinations of either a 6-speed manual gearbox, a conventional 6-speed automatic transmission, a new 6-speed Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) or a 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT). All derivatives are driven by the front wheels.
The new Creta will be capable both on tar roads and gravel routes. The McPherson strut front suspension and coupled torsion beam axle (CTBA) for the rear wheels have been tuned to give the Creta a solid, surefooted feeling on both road surfaces. The new model will also get a decrease in levels of noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH).
The new exterior of the Hyundai Creta is now more eye-catching and sportier. The Executive Derivatives will come with a distinguishing two-tone colour. In terms of size, it is visibly much larger than its predecessor, and the smoothly creased hood lines and voluminous body-coloured bumper and big, bold new grille will certainly turn a few heads. It comes with newly shaped headlights that feature daytime running lights above and on the side of the headlight cluster. Below them the bumper is the indicator lights and fog lights; this is only available on the Executive derivatives. The taillights of the new Creta has similar design lines to the front end of the vehicle, with reverse lights located in the tidy black bumper.
The Executive derivatives will ride on 17-inch alloy wheels while the Premium derivative comes with 16-inch alloys. The Creta will get seven exterior colours to choose from, ranging from Galaxy Blue, Lava Orange, Phantom Black, Polar White, Red Mulberry, Titan Grey and Typhoon Silver. The two-tone derivatives are available either in Lava-Orange-and-black and Polar-White-and-black colour themes.
Inside, the new Creta keeps a very clean and minimalistic style. It comes with red accents on the leather seats and air vents. The steering wheel, a flat bottom part, also gets red stitching in the leather cladding. The cabin offers much more space especially for rear passengers, who benefit from added comfort in the form of a centre armrest with cup holders that fold out of the backrest for the middle seat in the rear bench. The seat trims come available in grey and black cloth for the Premium derivative; grey and black leather for the Executive versions; and black leather seat trim with red accents for the flagship Creta 1.4 TGDI Executive DCT.
In terms of safety the new Creta comes with front and side airbags for the driver and front passenger, there are two curtain airbags that offer protection for the rear passengers but are only available on the new Creta Executive derivative’s safety package. ISOFIX child seat attachments will come standard in all derivatives, as well as 3-point inertia-reel safety belts. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is available to ensure full control on difficult road conditions, while a tyre pressure monitoring system will give an early warning if your tyre is running flat. Another luxury safety feature is Hill-start Assist Control, which will hold the car for a few seconds on an incline to pull away without roll-back.
Pricing
Creta 1.5 Premium (manual) R374 900
Creta 1.5 Executive IVT R429 900
Creta 1.5 Executive IVT (2-tone) R434 900
Creta 1.5 Executive Diesel (automatic) R469 900
Creta 1.5 Executive Diesel (automatic) (2-tone) R474 900
Creta 1.4 TGDI Executive DCT (2-tone) R484 900
All Cretas are sold with a 7-year/200 000km manufacturer warranty, a 4-year/60 000km service plan, and roadside assistance for 7 years or 150 000km.
Also worth a look: the Hyundai Creta: Matte Edition Headlines 2024 Refresh and the IONIQ 5 N Wins TopGear's 2023 Car of the Year.
FAQ
Q: What does the Hyundai Creta cost in South Africa?
The new Hyundai Creta starts from around R389,900 for the Premium 1.5 Executive manual, going up to approximately R549,900 for the top-spec Executive 1.4 Turbo DCT variant, making it competitively priced in the compact SUV segment.
Q: Is the Hyundai Creta worth buying in 2024?
Absolutely, the Creta offers excellent value with its comprehensive feature list, multiple engine options, and proven reliability record that saw over 14,000 units sold since the first generation launched in 2017.
Q: What engine options are available in the new Hyundai Creta?
The Creta comes with three engine choices: a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol, a 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel, and a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine, paired with various transmission options including 6-speed manual, 6-speed auto, IVT, or 7-speed DCT.
Q: How does the new Hyundai Creta compare to its competitors?
The Creta stands out with its bold new styling, comprehensive warranty, multiple powertrain options, and competitive pricing that undercuts rivals like the Kia Seltos and Nissan Qashqai while offering similar or better features.
Should You Buy It?
Yes, the new Hyundai Creta is absolutely worth buying and represents one of the best compact SUVs under R550,000 in South Africa. With starting prices from R389,900, you get a significantly larger, more stylish SUV than its predecessor, loaded with features and backed by Hyundai's solid reputation. The variety of engine and transmission combinations means there's a Creta for every budget and driving preference, while the improved NVH levels and suspension tuning make it equally comfortable on tar and gravel roads. If you're shopping in the compact SUV segment with a budget between R400,000 and R550,000, the Creta should be at the top of your list.
