First Drive: Hyundai Creta facelift

First Drive: Hyundai Creta facelift

To stay ahead of a flooded crossover segment, brands are forced to find a way to stick out from the pack. So Hyundai has added a new selection of paint works for their facelifted Creta lineup. The Creta has already proven to be a rather popular, affordable crossover, and although not much has changed with this facelift, customers now have the option to stand out in traffic.

For the most part, the Creta is unchanged. Under the bonnet nothing has changed, as the Creta has retained its naturally aspirated 1.5-litre 4-cylinder engine producing 84kW and 144Nm, which is coupled to a choice of either a 6-speed manual or IVT (Intelligent Variable Transmission), which is a clever way of masking its CVT nature.

In practice, the power is well suited for the hustle and bustle of city driving. Due to its unboosted setup, there is a sense of urgency with its throttle response, and driving around town at low speeds is a breeze while lightly sipping away at around 6l/100km without trying to be frugal. That said, highway driving shows its lack of power, and overtaking is a task that needs some forward thinking. Plus, the IVT retains the CVT character, and once your foot is buried to the floor and the revs climb, it’s a noisy ordeal. 

Once inside, I was immediately reminded of the Creta's impressive level of comfort; from the seats to the ride quality, there is a clear sense of intention. Even on rougher roads, it's comfortable and handles speed bumps with ease. At high speeds, there is a hint of sluggish responsiveness as the car takes a brief second to consider your steering input before reacting to it in order to avoid potholes.

For the most part, the interior has remained unchanged, with imitation leather seats, a leather-trimmed steering wheel with both telescopic and tilt adjustment, a rear-view camera, and manual air-conditioning. On the connectivity front, it has a wireless phone charger, USB, and a seamless infotainment display that is responsive and supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. For those who choose the top-spec Executive model, this is combined with a 10.25-inch digital driver display. It’s an inspired space that is bright, comfortable, and functional. I’d go so far as to say it's perfect for the school run or office back and forth. Yes, there is a sense of simplicity inside, but I wouldn’t ask for much more in the design department.

Modern cars are safe, and the Creta is no exception, as it offers ABS, ESC, and HAC, along with parking distance warning, blind-spot assist, lane-follow assist, which is effective but can be overwhelming, lane-keep assist, forward-collision avoidance, and six airbags.

So, what's new with the Creta facelift? Well, the exterior is the primary focal point of the new model, with distinctive styling on the front and rear bumpers, as well as darkened trim to emphasise its updated look. The three new matte paint options are the most present additions. You now have the option of matte white, matte black, or matte grey, and seeing it in person revealed an entirely different aspect to its exterior appearance, which I rather like. However, Hyundai will give you a list of dos and don'ts if you choose matte colours, as they are vulnerable to damage if washed incorrectly. In case you are wondering, it's actual paint, not a wrap.

There are two specs offered for the Creta, with the entry-level option being the Premium and the top-spec option being the Executive. Between the two, the Executive package adds mostly safety features to the equation in the forms of Hyundai's Lane Following Assist, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance, and Lane Keeping Assist. It also provides a 10.25-inch driver's display over the standard 3.5-inch analogue cluster and a wireless charger.

In terms of pricing, we haven't seen a significant increase with the facelift, which is a relief given how little has changed. However, if you opt for the entry-level model, the new Creta is cheaper at R449,900 than the outgoing units at R469,500, which shows Hyundai's vigilance and demand for competitive pricing. It competes with the likes of the Suzuki Grand Vitara, and although it looks arguably better, it is a little on the pricey side, with the top-spec Suzuki GLX coming in at R447,900.

Overall, the Creta is a great city-focused family car; it's frugal, comfortable, and a breeze to drive around town. You will long for more power on the open road, but it does retain enough shunt to keep you at your required speed. It's decently affordable too, which doesn’t come as a surprise due to the sheer size of the crossover market. Its new colours and refined exterior create a subtle yet bold new look at only a R5k premium, and if it were my money, I'd buy the manual.

Hyundai Creta pricing:

Hyundai Creta 1.5 Premium Manual: R449,900

Hyundai Creta 1.5 Premium IVT: R479 900

Hyundai Creta 1.5 Premium IVT Matte Edition: R484 900

Hyundai Creta 1.5 Executive IVT: R519 900

Hyundai Creta 1.5 Executive IVT Matte Edition: R524 900

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