Under the bonnet, the familiar 1.6-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 12 seconds 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/l 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.
You can catch the detailed road test figures in the August 2015 issue of Car India.
HYUNDAI CRETA CRDi SX(O) MT
Hyundai have one more ace up their sleeve: the manual transmission version of the 1.6 CRDi diesel in absolute top-spec SX(O) guise. That ‘O’ in brackets packs a lot of kit indeed. For starters, you get diamond-cut R17 alloy wheels wrapped in 215/60 R17 rubber. Electronic stability control, vehicle stability management and hill-assist control join the list of electronic aids. The airbag count goes up to six, with the addition of side and curtain airbags. The (O) also brings leather into the cabin, with the seats, steering wheel, gear lever and armrests enveloped in smooth and soft-touch hide. The front seats are also adjustable for height.
With 128 PS and 260 Nm, the manual-transmission Creta has enough grunt on tap. This is more than evident thanks to the revised final drive ratio, which also eliminates turbo lag, making the engine feel a lot peppier. It accelerates cleanly and picks up speed quickly. The engine, however, is quite audible in the upper reaches of the torque band, but in-gear acceleration is also quite good: 40-80 km/h takes just about 10 seconds in fourth.
The price of this top-of-the-line SX(O) spec model is Rs 13.60 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).
COMPETITION CHECK
The Hyundai Creta will take on not only the compact crossover lot, but also will be snapping at the heels of the ladder-on-frame hardcore SUVs. These cars are in the Creta’s cross hairs.
FORD ECOSPORT
Price: Rs 8.0-11.9 lakh
Engines: 1.5 petrol, 1.0 turbo-petrol, 1.5 turbo-diesel
Driveline: FWD, manual/automatic petrol, manual diesel
RENAULT DUSTER
Price: Rs 9.5-16.3 lakh
Engines: 1.6 petrol, 1.5 turbo-diesel
Driveline: FWD/AWD, manual petrol, manual diesel
NISSAN TERRANO
Price: Rs 10.3-15.6 lakh
Engines: 1.6 petrol, 1.5 turbo-diesel
Driveline: FWD, manual petrol, manual diesel
MAHINDRA XUV500
Price: Rs 13.0-18.6 lakh
Engine: 2.2 turbo-diesel
Driveline: FWD/AWD, manual diesel
MAHINDRA SCORPIO
Price: Rs 9.2-14.5 lakh
Engine: 2.2 turbo-diesel
Driveline: RWD/AWD, manual diesel
TATA SAFARI STORME
Price: Rs 12.3-16.5 lakh
Engine: 2.2 turbo-diesel
Driveline: RWD/AWD, manual diesel
