The engine under the bonnet of the Hyundai Exter is a 1.2-litre, four-cylinder, atmospheric petrol engine—the same as in most Hyundai offerings including the Venue—with 83 hp and 114 Nm. This is the only engine on offer, but it is available with both a five-speed manual as well as an AMT (automated manual transmission). Besides, there are also a pair of CNG variants. I started with the manual petrol.
On the go, the Hyundai Exter is pretty peppy. While it doesn’t feel like a car that enjoys being pushed, its real strength is in the engine’s tractability. The four-pot musters enough drive force even from 1,000 rpm in fourth and fifth gears to maintain momentum and get a move on with confidence, without feeling the need to downshift. The gear-shift lever is buttery smooth and clutch action is light and easy. It also feels planted and agile, essential qualities when dealing with the many cows and, worse, bipeds, trundling along in varying trajectories, that made several evasive manoeuvres a necessity. The Exter was not unsettled through all of these moves as well as while dodging the plentiful potholes and pretty consistent changes of road surface. Its ride quality is impressive and the damping characteristics have shown that Hyundai’s learning curve has been maintained. For those wondering, Hyundai quote 12.6 seconds from zero to 100 km/h. But it was never about pedal-to-the-metal acceleration, was it?
Our midway halt was at a “glamping” site called Teela that also hosted an off-road training academy. Getting to the parking was fine, but trying to go beyond saw the front wheels dig themselves into the desert-like sand. Clearly it hadn’t rained long enough… It’s not a 4×4 SUV. But it is what it is and it gets on with the job at hand—being an urban car with minimal overhangs that’s nippy to manoeuvre and can handle no-road situations and bad weather. It has a ground clearance of 185 mm and can traverse fairly deep puddles with zero loss of line. That’s good, isn’t it?
Prices for the Hyundai Exter start from Rs 6 lakh for the base EX trim, but this SX(O) Connect top trim costs Rs 9.32 lakh for the manual and a round Rs 10 lakh for the auto, all ex-showroom. It feels worth the asking price considering the going rates for anything from bread and tomatoes to petrol these days. It was meant to take on the Tata Punch, but its size, space, ergonomics, interior quality and attention to detail make me believe that it will also take a bite out of the share the Maruti Suzuki Ignis and Citroën C3, among others, enjoy. Overall, the Hyundai Exter represents a giant leap for the budding entry-SUV segment. It has the space and the dexterity to be everything one needs in an urban environment and a weekend munching miles away from the city. Let’s see how big a punch it can throw in the market.
Hyundai Exter AMT
There is a two-pedal version of the Exter as well, available in four “Smart Auto” variants starting at Rs 7.97 lakh and going up to 9,99,900 for this top-spec SX(O) Connect, all ex-showroom. The automated manual transmission (AMT) version uses an electronically-actuated shifter system and makes life easier in slow-moving traffic among other situations. There are shift-paddles on the wheel too.
On the move, the Hyundai Exter AMT feels smooth and unhurried. The AMT unit is not one for kick-down acceleration, the best way to get the most out of it is to dab the accelerator and then lift-off to ensure a gear-change—a trick I learnt with my long-term Santro a few years ago. It adds to the convenience of daily driving and rewards smooth drivers. That said, if the need is immediate action and driving pleasure, look to the Venue N-Line.
Need to Know – Hyundai Exter 1.2 SX(O) Connect/Smart Auto
Price: Rs 9.32 lakh/Rs 10 lakh (ex-showroom)
Engine: 1,197 cc, in-line four, petrol
Max Power: 83 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Max Torque: 113.8 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Transmission: Five-speed, manual/automated, front-wheel drive
Suspension: MacPherson strut front, torsion beam rear
Weight: 1,100 kg (est)
