The Best of both worlds. How often have we heard that
phrase? Most often, it is used with reference to a house in the country
close to the highway, or, recently, even the combination of a pizza and a
burger. What it implies in the true sense and in the real world is a crossover
of benefits. Large vehicles have always been, secretly or not, desired by
everyone from little children to mothers with many little children. Road
presence? Safety? Big feel? Yes, they had that, but they also had a lot of bulk
and were plagued by the worst handling money could buy. Show it a muddy corner
and, like a big dog. It would want to roll over in it, worse, taking said
mother and little children along for the ride.
What's changed? Vehicles can be large, yet still handle like
cars. Not everyone needs a two-and-a-half tonne 4x4 to take on a wet road and a
puddle or three, no. They could simply do with high ground clearance, wide
enough tyres, more predictable car-like handling, and while they're at it, more
space and a Cabin feels airy and spacious. Quality is good and the automatic
transmission is a blessing when dealing with chaotic city traffic big car feel
too. Enter the crossover. No more ladder-onframe, three-row, knees-in-your-face
seating nonsense, it was time for a change. With a larger monocoque to work
with, there can be a big car with all the creature comforts and space for
passengers and cargo, just like the massive SUV. Except, this one is more
comfortable, doesn't guzzle fuel to the tune of single-figure km/litre and is
actually drivable in all weather conditions.
Hyundai have created the new Creta, which takes several of its
'Fluidic' design cues from its larger sibling, the Santa Fe. The exterior
proportions look generous, and they are. The threeslat chromed front grille is
flanked by a projector combination headlamp cluster. The rising shoulder-line
makes is look far more angular and sharp than the Santa Fe as well as the old
Tucson; the only compact SUV offering from Hyundai India in the past. Flared
wheel-arches are joined by 16" wheels and 205/65 rubber. Braking duties
are handled by a set of discs at the front and drums at the rear. Don't bother
looking for a rear differential, there isn't one. The CRETA is purely front-wheel
drive.
Inside, the greatest thing the CRETA has going for it is the
space on offer. It's wide enough to accommodate four passengers with ease, as
well as a fifth, should the situation so demand. The front seats offer good
support and are very comfortable to be in indeed. They are, however, manually
adjustable. At the rear, the head-room is good too and the seats, although a
bench, offer enough knee-room: lack of space is not going to be an issue,
although the thigh support at the rear is not as good as it is at the front.
The centre arm-rest is also there to make rear occupants more comfortable when
travelling in a group of four. Adjustable headrests, front and rear, are a
highly appreciated inclusion too.
The boot space is also generous and will easily hold the luggage
for said family all set for a long weekend. The AT model also exclusively gets
a 60:40 split-folding rear seat-back. Other crucial elements include generous
cubbyholes and other storage spaces, Bluetooth, as well as a USB port and Aux
connectivity. The interior, as expected from Hyundai, is well laid-out and
equally well finished. The black plastic components don't feel cheap to touch
and there is nothing lacklustre about their finish. The steering wheel is
positioned at quite an angle, but the driving position isn't really awkward. A
reverse parking camera rounds off the equipment list nicely.
On the safety front, Hyundai have been busy, with the "HIVE
body structure' chassis having reinforced the front end, A- and B-pillars and
underbody. ABS is standard on all variants, as are dual front airbags.
Under the bonnet, the familiar1.6-litre four-pot turbo-diesel,
from the Verna and Elantra, makes 128 PS and 260 Nm. The automatic transmission
on offer, however, is from the latter: a six-speed unit, and shifts up quickly
in the interest of efficiency. This helps keep the cabin sound level
appreciably low. Power delivery is progressive and makes the CRETA a convenient
city offering, while also ensuring it won't run out of breath on the highway. It
dismisses 100 km/h in just over 12seconds and hits a true 160 km/h. Under
braking from 80 km/h. it behaved itself and felt sure-footed.
The all-important fuel-efficiency figure we achieved was as high
as 14.5 km/1 on the highway. Don't fret, because even in the city, the CRETA
CRDi AT delivered a double-digit figure. Now it comes down to the price, the
CRETA is available from Rs 8.6 lakh, but this 1.6 automatic diesel we've driven
here is priced at Rs 13.58 lakh, all prices ex-showroom, Delhi. Value for money
it is, then, and it's already got a lot of competitors shaking in their boots.
Book Your Hyundai Creta Car Now OR Contact Our Shreenath Hyundai Mumbai, Thane
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