Hyundai India has officially revealed the updated Creta, boasting a revised design, better equipment, and a new turbo-petrol engine option.
The crossover will be reaching Indian dealers by 16 January 2024, but South Africa is only in line to receive it in 2025, the automaker’s domestic arm confirmed to TopAuto.
“The reason for the longer timeline is that the Creta is manufactured at two factories: one in Chennai in India, and the other in Indonesia,” said Deon Sonnekus, general manager of corporate communication at Hyundai South Africa.
“India will be producing and launching the new Creta this year, while Indonesian manufacturing of the new model will only happen later. We import the Creta from Indonesia these days, and therefore our launch date is reserved for next year.”
What to expect
The new Creta forgoes the creature-like aura of its forebears for a more contemporary look that fits in line with other products in the Hyundai stable such as the pinnacle Palisade.
The grille is made up of rectangular openings in gloss black and is flanked by inverted L-shaped daytime running lights. Above the fixtures sits the restyled LED headlights which are now connected with a new edge-to-edge LED lightbar.
In a similar vein, the front and rear bumpers have been reworked to be more angular than before, and the particulate-esque taillights of the current Creta have been swopped out for another body-spanning LED lightbar that sits horizontally across a new tailgate.
The incoming Creta rides on 16 to 18-inch alloy wheels in a fresh design, too, and it retains the familiar silver roof rails and contrasting window surrounds of the model that it will be replacing.
While the final specifications of the upgraded Hyundai have yet to be revealed, Autocar India reports that there is a lot we can look forward to inside the cabin of the new Creta.
Changes comprise an updated front fascia that incorporates two 10.25-inch screens and new aircon vents, as well as new-look textures and materials for the upholstery.
Depending on the market, the forthcoming Creta will further be available with dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, ventilated front seats, and an electric driver’s seat.
Level 2 advanced driver assistance systems will also be present, boasting up to 19 functions including 360-degree cameras and a blind-spot monitoring system.
Under the hood, the updated Hyundai is expected to have the same engine options as the current iteration, comprising a 1.5-litre, naturally-aspirated petrol unit.
In South Africa, the motor churns out 84kW and 144Nm and is available with both a six-speed manual and CVT gearbox, with fuel consumption ranging between 6.3-6.5l/100km.
Autocar notes that the Indian region will additionally receive a turbocharged version of this same engine married to a seven-speed automatic shifter, which boosts performance to 119kW.
At present, Hyundai is unable to confirm whether or not the new turbo-petrol motor will be available locally.
“We cannot confirm at this stage which engine or engines will be available for the South African launch of the new Creta,” said Sonnekus.
More details on the new Creta, including its South African specifications, pricing, and line-up, will be released closer to its introduction date.
Join the discussion