2020 Hyundai Creta bookings open

Hyundai Motor India has officially released a first set of images and new details of the second-generation Creta SUV. While prices for the midsize SUV will be revealed on March 17, bookings have  officially commenced online and via Hyundai dealers, for an amount of Rs 25,000.

The new Hyundai Creta for India was first shown at the Auto Expo 2020 last month, though interior details had only been teased before this.  As reported by Autocar India a few weeks ago, the India-spec Creta gets a completely new interior layout when compared to the Chinese version of the same SUV that is sold as the ix25 – it’s harder to spot the differences between exteriors of the two India-spec Creta and Chinese-spec ix25.

The new Creta’s black-and-beige interior theme is seen not only on the dash, but also on its seats; they have a criss-cross, diamond-stitch design that’s similar to the ix25. The SUV gets a steering wheel with controls for audio, telephony and the cruise control system. The SUV features a full-digital instrument cluster that is expected to see duty at least in higher variants. This 7.0-inch instrument cluster is likely to be shared with the refreshed Verna and the next-gen i20 – both of which will be launched in India in the coming months.

The new Creta will also come with an air purifier, a remote engine start feature for the manual gearbox variants and paddleshifters for the automatic variants. It will also come with drive modes for the engine – like Comfort, Eco and Sport – along with modes depending on traction – such as snow, sand and mud. Higher variants will also come with rear disc brakes.

Comfort features on the Creta also include a rear window sunshade, additional cushion on the rear headrest, leatherette upholstery, a reclining feature for the rear seats, front and rear USB charging sockets, LED reading lamps and a cooled glovebox.

The new Creta’s dashboard and AC vent layout are unique – it features a 10.25-inch infotainment screen that is landscape-orientated unlike the portrait-layout seen on the ix25. Hyundai’s BlueLink connected car tech that first debuted on the Venue compact SUV will be seen on the new Creta, as will along the Smartwatch App. It will also come with a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, ambient lighting, an 8-speaker Bose sound system and a tyre pressure monitor.

Automatic climate control, as well as an electronic parking brake will be standard on higher variants, along with cooled seats, wireless charging and a panoramic sunroof, to name few segment-leading features. We recently revealed the complete variant-wise features list for the new Creta.

The 2020 Creta gets a large cascading grille that’s also seen on all newer Hyundai Hyndai Hyundai models, along with a split headlight arrangement has the LED DRLs on top, with the LED headlights and new-look fog lamps below – Hyundai calls it Trio Beam LED headlamps. The midsize SUV features squared-out wheel arches that add muscle to its looks. However, the glasshouse looks similar to the first-gen SUV. Higher variants will get dual-tone paint schemes and 17-inch alloy wheels. At the back, it gets split LED tail-lamps and a low-set number plate. Hyundai India will offer the new Creta in a total of eight colour options - Polar White, Typhoon Silver, Phantom Black, Lava Orange, Titan Grey, Galaxy Blue, Red Mulberry and Deep Forest (available on the Turbo model only). There are two dual-tone exterior options as well - Polar White with Phantom Black and Lava Orange with Phantom Black.

The new Creta will come with three engine options – a 115hp, 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine that can be had with either a 6-speed manual or a CVT automatic gearbox; a 115hp, 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel unit that will come with 6-speed manual and torque converter automatic gearbox options; and a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol mill that will be available only with a 7-speed DCT automatic gearbox.

A handful of Hyundai dealers had already begun accepting bookings unofficially in February. At the time, they had promised deliveries to its prospective customers by end of March 2020. With the new Creta, Hyundai hopes to regain dominance in the segment, against the likes of Kia Seltos, MG Hector and the Tata Harrier.

Since its launch in June 2015, the first-generation Creta sold a total of 466,839 units till end-January 2020 and has been a regular in the monthly Top 5 UVs chart. Will the next-gen Creta beat this performance? Watch this space.