Hyundai Creta: pros and cons

Korean subcompact is a capable but comfy daily driver

Hyundai Creta: pros and cons

Hyundai Motor Philippines Incorporated introduced the Creta as its entry into the local five-seater subcompact crossover segment. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • How much horsepower and torque can the Hyundai Creta produce?

    The Hyundai Creta can produce up to 113 horsepower and 144 Newton-meters of torque.
  • How many occupants can fit inside the Hyundai Creta?

    The Hyundai Creta can comfortably seat up to five occupants (including the driver).
  • In the said market, the Hyundai model faces stiff competition in the forms of the Mitsubishi XForce, Kia Sonet, and Toyota Yaris Cross -among others. It has, however, plenty of characteristics that make it a good contender and a potent choice for a handy and capable daily driver. 

    The question now is: What are the advantages and downsides of the Hyundai Creta? Let us find out here to further help prospective buyers. 

    Pros

    Well-equipped cabin

    One of the strong points of the Creta subcompact crossover is its well-equipped and slick-looking cabin. 

    For starters, everyone inside the top-spec GLS version is kept cool and comfortable by a single-zone automatic air-conditioning system. At the same time, the other trims come with manual climate controls. 

    Hyundai Creta interior Photo from Hyundai Motor Philippines

    The GLS and mid-spec GL also get soft and cozy leatherette seats, while the lower-spec version of the GL comes with sturdy but comfortable fabric seats. Additionally, the front cabin offers a lot of eye candy, thanks to contrasting colors and shiny decorative pieces mixed with a well-arranged modern design. 

    Other notable creature comforts and convenience features inside the Creta include 60:40 split-folding seats, a center armrest, a cooled glove box, and a lot of cup holders. 

    Loads of tech

    Apart from having a stylish and comfy interior, the Creta is also kitted out with various technological amenities. 

    For onboard entertainment and navigation, the vehicle is equipped with an eight-inch touchscreen display linked to a four-piece speaker system. The said screen offers easy smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while powering up devices is done effortlessly by a wireless charging pad. 

    Hyundai Creta interior Photo from Hyundai Motor Philippines

    The driver, meanwhile, has access to a 10.25-inch Supervision digital gauge cluster, which shows plenty of crucial vehicle parameters in a clean and crisp manner. 

    Added convenience for the person behind the wheel is also supplied by Bluetooth hands-free calling and customizable voice recognition software. 

    Moreover, the Creta comes with loads of safety-oriented technologies, which support its array of standard safety bits. Here is a list of advanced driver-assist systems available on the Hyundai-made crossover: 

    • Blind-spot collision avoidance
    • Lane keep assist
    • Forward-collision avoidance with car and pedestrian detection
    • Manual speed limit assist
    • Lane follow assist

    Stylish exterior

    While its interior is pleasant to look at, another desirable quality of the Hyundai Creta is the visually impactful appearance of its exterior

    From the front, the model sports the brand’s parametric jewel-pattern grille, similar to the ones fitted on the larger Tucson. Notably, the said grille hides the Creta’s LED daytime running lamps. When not in use, the said lighting fixtures appear to be a part of the grille’s decorative patterns. 

    Creta rear Photo from Hyundai Motor Philippines

    Flanking the center of the vehicle’s front fascia are numerous angular shapes, including the car’s vertical stack of LED headlamps. It also gets visually appealing wheel arches, a black-colored roof, and a pair of eye-catching LED taillights for its rear. Wrapping up its exterior design is a set of two-tone, 17-inch alloy wheels. 

    Adding to the vehicle’s practicality are several notable exterior features. It has a pair of roof rails for added cargo space, power-folding side mirrors, chrome door handles, front and rear wipers, and a high-mount stop-lamp. 

    Additional flair on the top-spec GLS is provided by a two-tone paint job. For reference, here are all the available color options for the Creta: 

    • Creamy White
    • Dragon Red
    • Midnight Black
    • Magnetic Silver

    Plenty of driving-oriented features

    Yet another key strength of the Hyundai Creta is its abundance of driving-oriented features - the kind of tools that can make it viable as a daily driver even on the busy streets of the Philippines. 

    For easy maneuvering in tight parking spots, the Hyundai model has a rear-view monitor. Getting in and starting up the ride is also done easily, thanks to the presence of a smart key and a push-to-start button. 

    Hyundai Creta Photo from Hyundai Motor Philippines Facebook page

    Dealing with long-distance driving is likewise a breeze, as the model comes with cruise control (GLS). Gripping the Creta’s steering wheel for long periods is also comfy, thanks to a leatherette wrap. Plus, finding one’s preferred position is also effortless due to the model’s tilt and telescopic steering column.

    Other driving features present in the Creta are a drive mode selector, physical knobs for its climate control system, and a multi-function steering wheel, among others. 

    Cons

    Some rivals are peppier

    When it comes to engine output, the Creta’s 1.5-liter Smartstream mill can produce up to 113 horsepower (hp) and 144 Newton-meters (Nm) of torque. 

    The aforementioned maximum output does not necessarily mean the Creta has poor performance. For perspective, it even makes more power than the pricier Toyota Yaris Cross G, which only makes 104 hp and 138 Nm of torque. 

    Hyundai Creta gauge cluster Photo from Hyundai Motor Philippines

    Regardless, there remains the fact that a lot of similarly-sized offerings have more potent powertrains. Examples include the 174-hp Geely Coolray and the 158-hp Changan CS35 Plus

    Do be mindful, however, that the Creta wasn’t designed to be a performance car from the get-go. Nevertheless, having more power under the hood can be useful in certain driving situations.

    Final thoughts

    To sum it all up, the Hyundai Creta is a value-for-money to those looking for a five-seater compact crossover. It fits the bill as a comfy daily, plus it is oozing with style as well. 

    Serious prospective buyers of the Hyundai model, however, should give the ride a test drive first. Doing so, in the end, can result in a more informed purchase after all. 

    Model

    Creta GLS

    Creta GL

    Creta GL STD

    Exterior

    Dimnensions (LXWXH, In mm)

    4,315x1,790x1,630

    Wheelbase (mm)

    2,610

    Ground clearance (mm)

    200

    Wheel size

    17-inch

    Lighting system

    Halogen

    LED

    Interior

    Material

    Leatherette

    Fabric

    Amenities

    • Smart key
    • Push-to-start button
    • Automatic climate control
    • Wireless smartphone charger
    • USB ports
    • Rear-view monitor
    • Four-piece speaker system
    • Center armrest
    • 60:40 split-folding seat
    • Drive mode selector
    • Electronic parking brake
    • Smart key
    • Push-to-start button
    • Automatic climate control
    • USB ports
    • Rear-view monitor
    • Four-piece speaker system
    • Center armrest
    • 60:40 split-folding rear seat
    • Electronic parking brake
    • Keyless entry
    • Manual air-conditioning
    • USB ports
    • Four-piece speaker system
    • Center armrest
    • 60:40 split-folding rear seat
    • Electronic parking brake

    Instrument cluster

    10.25-inch Supervision digital gauge

    3.5-inch TFT LCD

    Infotainment system

    Eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

    Integrated radio with 3.8-inch LCD

    Seating capacity

    Five

    Cargo capacity

    413 liters

    Powertrain

    Engine

    1.5-liter Smartstream G

    Fuel type

    Gasoline

    Transmission

    Hyundai Intelligent Variable Transmission

    Horsepower

    113 

    Torque

    144 Newton-meters

    Brakes

    Front and rear discs

    Technology

    ADAS

    • Blind-spot collision avoidance
    • Lane keep assist
    • Forward-collision avoidance with car and pedestrian detection
    • Manual speed limit assist
    • Lane follow assist
     

    Safety

    • Dual front airbags
    • Anti-lock braking
    • Stability control
    • Hill-start assist
    • Tire pressure monitoring
    • Rear seat alert
    • ISOFIX
    • Parking distance warning
    • Dual front airbags
    • Anti-lock braking
    • Stability control
    • Hill-start assist
    • Tire pressure monitoring
    • ISOFIX
    • Parking distance warning

    Security

    • Alarm
    • Engine immobilizer

    Price

    P1.388 million

    P1.228 million

    P1.098 million

     

    Also read

    Here are the Hyundai Creta's 4 diverse color options

    Hyundai, Waymo forge multi-year partnership to create self-driving Ioniq 5 fleet

    Hyundai Motor PH sends 9 scholars to South Korea for advanced automotive training

    Cesar Miguel

    Cesar Miguel

    A car enthusiast who dreams to spread his love of automobiles through writing. If he isn’t penning stories about cars, he usually spends his time in the digital race tracks of Assetto Corsa.

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