Hyundai Exter: The micro-SUV space in India has seen some action and Hyundai has joined the bandwagon with an all-new Hyundai Exter.
Sitting below that will be the Exter, a car that Hyundai plans to offer with to combine the compactness of a city car with SUV style and all the latest tech and a jack-up ride height made for the city.
It spat directly at the likes of the Tata Punch and the Citroen C3, and in so far as we can tell, Hyundai has seen fit to fill this compact SUV with some good stuff. But does it meet the needs of Indian consumers? Let’s explore in detail.
Hyundai Exter Design – Tough Looks, Small Package
Although small in size, the Exter boasts the design language of a mini SUV. It has a boxy, upright stance, a large front grille, H-shaped LED DRLs, square-shaped headlamps, and black cladding on the sides and bumpers — all of which give it a rugged, SUV-like appearance.
Equipped with contrating roof-rails, dual-tone paint options, 5-spoke diamond-cut alloy wheels and a smartly styled rear with the tail lamps connected with a LED strip, the Exter gets a premium look.
It’s apparent that Hyundai has made an extra effort to make this compact SUV seem larger than it is.
Interior: Small on the Exterior, Big on Space
Slip behind the wheel and the Exter ushers you into a neat dashboard design and an unexpectedly roomy cab for a car of its dimensions. The cabin materials seem well-assembled, and upper trims come with premium touches like semi-leatherette upholstery and contrast stitching.
The front seats are comfortable and supportive, and the back seat provides adequate head and leg room for two adults.
With 391 litres of boot space, it is very generous and one of the best in its category, which makes your weekend getaways or grocery shopping trips painless.
Segment-First Features
Hyundai has packed the Exter with equipment that a lot of bigger cars do without Highlights include:
16.8-cm touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
Digital instrument cluster
Dash cam with front and rear camera
Wireless charging
Voice-enabled sunroof
TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring system)
AC vents at rear and quick charging USB outlets
This feature kit is what perhaps makes the Exter especially attractive to young urban customers for whom a connected car under ₹10 lakh is a must-have.
Engine/Performance- Good for everyday driving
Powered by a 1.2-litre petrol mill that puts out some 83 PS of power and 113 Nm of torque, the Hyundai Exter is. It’s offered with a 5-speed manual as well as a 5-speed AMT (automatic) gearbox.
The engine is silky and well-suited for city commuting and occasional jaunts on the highway. The acceleration is linear, and the clutch pedal is light and is easy to use in traffic. Hyundai also provides a CNG version of the car which offers little less power but offers great fuel economy.
Ride and Handling: The Best of Both Worlds
The Exter might be a confidence-inspiring machine on Indian roads. Its suspension rides over potholes and speed bumps with little fuss, and there’s minimal body roll for a car with SUV-like proportions.
It also had good power, good pull-through energy, but that was left over from the time when this car had been available with a manual transmission. The steering is light for tight U-turns or parking, but lacks a lot of feedback at higher speeds.
On the whole, it has a comfortable ride and is well-suited for city and the occasional brief highway use.
Safety: Loaded for the Class
Safety has been a strong theme for Hyundai in recent times. The Exter comes with:
6 airbags (on higher trims)
ABS with EBD
Safety Features Across the LineThe Corvette features a standard Z16 Performance Package that includes a StabiliTrakâ electronic stability control system.
The guys term it Vehicle Stability Enhancement (VSE)
Parking camera that goes on the back including sensors
These provide for one of the safest offerings in micro SUVs.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Bold SUV-inspired styling
Spacious cabin and large boot
Loaded with features, including segment-first dashcam
Petrol engine is quite smooth and refined.
Option of CNG variant
Competitive pricing
Cons:
No turbo petrol option
AMT response is mediocre
Vague, numb steering at highway speeds.
No diesel engine option
Rear seat ideally suited for two adults, not three
Hyundai Exter Judgment: A worthy competitor in the entry SUV space
The Hyundai Exter is not only a mini SUV in shape, but also in concept. It checks all the boxes that most Indian buyers are on the lookout for – looks stylish, tech-laden, adequately spacious and reasonably peppy – all at a good compromise of price.
For those seeking a city-friendly SUV with personality and a comprehensive feature list, the Exter deserves a place on your wish list.