The 2022 Hyundai Creta is sleeker-looking but has the inside comfort of a pair of slippers. A new exterior paint job can make or ruin a vehicle. For example, the mid-life design “enhancements” made to the first-gen Hyundai Tucson could have only been the work of a lazy employee. These “enhancements” were made at the point where the vehicle was no longer being manufactured. Thankfully, things have turned out differently for the Hyundai Creta SUV, which received a makeover not too long ago.
Hyundai Creta 2022 Looks & Design
I am obviously aware that fashion is a matter of personal preference. But I also think it’s safe to state that before its latest rehash, the 2nd Hyundai Creta was somewhat of an interesting experience with its goblin headlamps and top-heavy cascading grille. This was before the Creta underwent its most recent redesign. And to tell you the truth, I have never come across anyone who was successful in obtaining it.
The redesigned front end of the 2022 model that you see here closely resembles the stunning new Tucson, which is priced higher than the Creta, so it is likely that buyers in this market will find it appealing. This is especially true given that the Creta’s price bracket is higher than that of the Tucson. The revised front end has daytime running lights in the shape of a triangle that flow into a new grille in the shape of a “parametric jewel.” This new grille shape is an essential component of Hyundai’s most recent design idiom for SUVs.
The designers also made some welcome improvements to the back end of the vehicle, including new tail lamps in the shape of a triangle that reach further into the tailgate, giving the vehicle an appearance that is more purposeful.
Hyundai Creta 2022 Interior
The cabin’s interior has not seen a great deal of transformation, which is not a negative thing given that it featured an attractive layout to begin with. If I had to pick apart anything, I’d say that while the overall build quality is fantastic, the mood could be brightened up a bit. There is an abundance of dark grey, more dark grey, and even more dark grey everywhere you look.
It is difficult to find fault with the product in terms of ergonomics because everything is straightforward and organised cleanly, and you are provided with conventional rotary controls for the ventilation. It is odd that at this price level, it only has standard manual air conditioning rather than automatic climate control, and there’s only four degrees of fan speed, which seems to be somewhat lacking.
The top-of-the-line Executive model comes standard with a wireless phone charger in addition to an entertainment system that features a touch screen of 8.0 inches and has the capability to connect wirelessly to both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
However, in terms of utility, how does the Hyundai Creta fare? Moving to the back seat, there is a generous amount of legroom, as well as plenty of space for stretching out one’s legs. There are also air conditioning vents to keep the occupants cool, as well as a USB port and a 12 volt charging socket to keep them connected. There is 416 litres of storage space available in the trunk, which is a respectable amount.
You could say that this car strikes the perfect balance between being too big and being too small. It’s compact enough to be nimble and manoeuvrable in the hustle and bustle of the city, yet roomy enough to be a viable option for a family vehicle.
Hyundai Creta 2022 Performance
This “just right” sensation also applies to the experience of driving in an urban environment. The driving position is simple to adjust to, the vehicle is simple to manoeuvre, the ride is tolerably pleasant, and the on-road refinement is difficult to find fault with. This is what a pair of cosy slippers would look like if they were made for automobiles.
If there is one drawback, it is the fact that Hyundai only provides one engine option, which is the tried-and-true 1.5-liter gasoline engine with the normally aspirated ventilation system.
Because the vehicle is now sourced from Indonesia instead of India, this is the only option that can be purchased. Unfortunately, this means that the wonderful 1.5 turbodiesel that was available in the previous range, along with the 1.4-liter turbocharged gasoline, are no longer available.
In spite of this, the 1.5-liter gasoline engine that is still in use appears to have a performance that is significantly better than expected. Having outputs of 84 kW and 144 Nm, this vehicle is by no means a rocket ship; yet, its performance in urban and freeway applications is relatively effortless and comfortable.
The base version of the Premium trim comes with either a continuously variable transmission (CVT) or a six-speed manual gearbox. The Executive trim that we tested comes standard with a CVT gearbox. The continuously variable gearbox (CVT) can get a little droney when you’re pushing it hard, as continuously variable gearboxes typically do.
In a variety of driving situations, our vehicle consumed approximately 7.7 litres of fuel for every 100 kilometres driven. We saw an average of 5.9 litres per 100 kilometres while driving on the motorway, but when the route was reset to include some driving in the city, the on-board readout showed 9.6 litres per 100 kilometres.
Final Verdict
The Hyundai Creta is like putting on a pair of cosy slippers; it’s roomy, it’s simple to drive, and it’s large enough for the whole family.
