Cape Town – Hyundai will be hoping to emulate the success of its Tucson with this brand new contender, launched in South Africa this week and slotting into the class below.
Built in India, the Creta is similar in size to the Mazda CX-3, measuring 4270mm in length and 1780mm in width, but has a taller stature and its ground clearance of 190mm is close to class-leading, beaten only by the Mitsubishi ASX.
Hyundai is not chasing price-sensitive buyers as there is no traditional ‘base model’, only one model – it’s called the Executive, it starts from R319 900 and it’s got practically everything in it.
A 20cm touch-screen infotainment system with navigation and Bluetooth, reverse camera and rear park distance control is part of the deal, along with leather seats, multi-function steering wheel, aircon (manual) with rear air vents, electric windows and mirrors, keyless entry, 16-inch alloy wheels, six airbags and ABS.
Unfortunately there is no traction control, but passive safety appears to be reasonably good, with the Creta having achieved a four-star Latin NCAP safety rating.
Buyers have two engine choices – a petrol or a diesel, both displacing 1.6-litres. The petrol motor is normally aspirated and rated at 90kW and 150Nm, while the turbocharged diesel is good for 94kW and 260Nm. The latter is only available with a six-speed torque converter automatic gearbox, while the petrol can be had with that or a six-speed manual.
Aftersales backup comes in the form of a five-year/150 000km standard warranty (with the engine and powertain getting bumped up to seven years/200 000km) and there’s a five-year/90 000 service plan included in the price.
HYUNDAI CRETA PRICES
1.6 Executive – 90kW/150Nm - R319 900
1.6 Executive auto – 90kW/150Nm - R339 900
1.6 diesel Executive auto – 94kW/260Nm - R369 900
ALTERNATIVES
Honda HR-V 1.5 Comfort – 88kW/145Nm – R334 200
Fiat 500X 1.6 Pop Star – 81kW/152Nm – R299 900
Mazda CX-3 2.0 Dynamic – 115kW/204Nm – R310 700
Nissan Juke 1.2T Acenta+ – 85kW/190Nm – R312 900
Opel Mokka X 1.4T Cosmo – 103kW/200Nm – R357 400
Peugeot 2008 1.6 Allure – 88kW/160Nm – R302 900
Suzuki Vitara 1.6 GLX auto – 86kW/151Nm – R337 900