When this vehicle was released in China, called ix25, the number of people who believed Hyundai’s press releases stating it would be sold only there must have reached two. After so much speculation, including several spyshots in diverse positions, Creta appears as the global version of the aforementioned model. It was conceived with focus on emergent markets, and designed with a lot of the style and technology elements with which the Koreans are working in nowadays. This is how they are going to make their first appearance in one of the most competitive car segments of the recent times.
Those who delve a little deeper into the automotive world when it comes to the historical background of companies and products may remember of Trax. Chevrolet, just like Hyundai, took too long to release its own small crossover, probably for not believing that those would become successful enough to motivate the necessary investment. Since that prediction turned out to be wrong, it immediately changed its mind. The problem is, by the time Trax would be ready, this market would have been dominated by the rivals, already, so Chevrolet needed to offer a “sure winner”. This is usually made by relying on generic elements of proven success, instead of coming up with individual quirks. However, the latter are precisely what made those rivals famous in the first place.
In conclusion, Creta now arrives just like Trax did two years ago: as good a product as uninspired. The front fascia brings a hexagonal grille once again, whose chrome bars visually connect the headlights; these, in turn, use angular lines with “fluidic” design. The bumper, in turn, relies on square shapes to look imponent. This last impression also appears thanks to the boxy silhouette, which includes a quite tall hood and horizontal lines for itself and the roof. A set of creases join the black cladding in the task of dissimulating the tall sheetmetal. This is the result of using short, angular windows, which are connected to the windshield through blackened A-pillars. And the rear features more polygonal shapes with strong creases and black inserts.
Chinese cars are already known for being released with scarce official information, specially regarding photos, but this strategy was apparently repeated with this crossover during its Indian presentation – Hyundai hasn’t disclosed official photos of its cabin yet. However, those who attended the event noticed that the Koreans used their “catalog” of visual elements once again. Creta’s equipment list will include climate control with rear-seat vents, hill holder, leather seats, power mirrors, reverse camera, six airbags, stability control and 17” alloy wheels, but given that this is a compact car focused on emergent markets, most of those will be sold as optionals. The standard ones don’t fall far from the minimum required by law, specially regarding safety.
The new vehicle uses Hyundai’s new platform for compact cars, which already underpins the European i20 and the Brazilian HB20. It will be offered in four trim levels (Base, S, SX and SXO), and uses three engine options. Using gasoline, there’s a four-cylinder 1.6 good for 123 hp of power and 15.4 kgfm of torque. Switching to diesel, the two CRDi units are a 1.4-liter (90 hp and 22.4 kgfm) and another 1.6-liter (128 hp and 26.4 kgfm). The gearboxes bring six speeds in all cases, but the first two engines use manual ones, while the third one’s are automatic. With a market positioning below the new Tucson, Creta will go on sale starting with India, with an initial price of 859,000 rupees that can reach 1,1 million rupees for the upscale model.