The Hyundai Exter has made a splash in the Indian car market, offering a compelling proposition for budget-conscious SUV seekers. This feature-rich compact SUV combines practicality, affordability, and modern design, making it a strong contender in a competitive segment. Let’s delve deeper into what the Hyundai Exter has to offer.
Design and Style:
The Exter boasts a youthful and contemporary design with a split headlamp setup, a bold cascading grille, and sculpted lines.
It features roof rails, blacked-out B-pillars, and a shark-fin antenna, adding a touch of sportiness. While the overall design might not be groundbreaking, it exudes a clean and pleasing aesthetic.
Spacious Interior and Features:
The Exter offers a surprisingly spacious cabin for a compact SUV, comfortably seating five adults. The interiors come in a variety of color options, allowing for some personalization. The focus is on practicality, with ample storage compartments and comfortable seating.
Feature-wise, the Exter doesn’t disappoint. Depending on the variant you choose, you can expect a touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone connectivity, a multi-function steering wheel, automatic climate control, a digital instrument cluster (on higher trims), and a rear parking camera.
Safety features include airbags, ABS with EBD, and rear parking sensors, ensuring peace of mind on the road.
Engine and Performance:
The Hyundai Exter comes with two engine options:
- 1.2L Kappa Petrol: This engine delivers a decent 82 bhp of power and 114 Nm of torque, paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. It prioritizes fuel efficiency, making it suitable for city commutes.
- 1.2L Bi-Fuel Kappa Petrol with CNG: This option offers the benefits of both petrol and CNG, providing greater fuel flexibility and potentially lower running costs. It also comes with a 5-speed manual transmission.
While the Exter might not be a powerhouse, it provides adequate performance for everyday driving needs. Don’t expect a thrilling ride, but it gets the job done efficiently.
Fuel Efficiency and Mileage:
The Exter shines in terms of fuel efficiency. The petrol variant delivers a claimed mileage of around 19.2 to 19.4 kmpl, making it a budget-friendly option for fuel costs. The CNG variant boasts an impressive claimed mileage of 27.1 km/kg, further enhancing its appeal for those seeking even lower running costs.
Variants and Pricing:
The Hyundai Exter is offered in a wide range of 17 variants, catering to different budget points and feature preferences. The starting price for the base variant is around ₹ 6.13 lakh (ex-showroom), making it a very attractive option in the compact SUV segment. Higher-end trims with more features will naturally cost more, but the Exter remains competitively priced compared to its rivals.
Competition:
The Hyundai Exter faces stiff competition from established players like the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon, and Mahindra XUV300. However, the Exter stands out with its combination of affordability, features, and fuel efficiency.