Hyundai has revealed its all-new entry-level model badged the Exter.
The compact SUV is currently “under consideration” for a South African launch, the domestic arm of Hyundai confirmed to TopAuto, however, “no decision has been made yet” regarding its local availability.
Considering the Venue now starts at well over R300,000, it seems likely that the Exter would be an attractive model to bring to our market as it would appeal to a large number of budget-conscious buyers.
Slotting in below the Venue, the Exter is the new gateway into the South Korean brand and it hit the Indian market today, 10 July.
In this country, the new Hyundai is sold in 11 individual specifications from a starting price of 599,900 rupees (R137,000) up to 999,900 rupees (R229,000) – making it around 20% cheaper than the Venue’s Indian pricetag.
What to Ex(ter)pect
The new Exter is the smallest vehicle in the SUV segment that Hyundai currently produces, measuring just 3.8m long, 1.7m wide, and 1.6m tall.
Purely in dimensions, this puts it in competition with the likes of the new Citroen C3, Mahindra XUV300, Renault Kiger, and Suzuki Ignis – all of which are relatively popular and somewhat affordable sub-four-metre crossovers currently for sale in South Africa.
In India, the new Hyundai is then driven by a 1.2-litre motor that either runs on petrol only and generates 61kW and 114Nm, or a petrol/compressed natural gas (CNG) mixture in which it makes 51kW and 95Nm, paired with a five-speed manual or automated manual transmission.
The Exter is available with a variety of usually high-end features with two being a first for the segment in which it competes. These are a voice-enabled electric sunroof as well as a dual-camera dashcam with photo and video functions.
Alongside these “firsts” the Exter gets a host of other nice-to-haves depending on the variant, including keyless entry and start, a reverse camera, a digital instrument cluster, an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, over-the-air software updates for the onboard navigation and media functions, automatic aircon with rear-seat vents, a wireless charger, paddle shifters, and a leather multifunction steering wheel.
It also boasts a voice assistant that recognises 92 commands; in addition to 40 advanced and 26 standard safety features across all trims ensuring it “sets a safety benchmark” in its category.
One of its final party tricks, the new Exter brings seven “personalised sounds of nature” for creating the desired atmosphere inside the cabin namely City at Dawn, Lively Forest, Moment of Meditation, On a Sailing Ship, Outer Space Communication, Rainy Day, and Warm Fireplace.
Hyundai Exter
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