Hyundai Creta Driven | Turbo Petrol Is Back, Diesel Still On Offer | First Drive Review

What’s gotten better is the suspension set up and ride quality. Engineers at Hyundai tell us that the rebound has been better controlled with stiffer springs, and the change is noticeable. Remember those unwanted, sometimes uncontrolled vertical movements the Creta would get into on our highways? That’s been eradicated completely. It drives a lot more confidently, and that’s also due to the fact that the chassis has further been stiffened by the use of advanced high-strength steel. As you hustle the Creta around a twisty section of your favorite road, you would notice the driving is a lot more rewarding.

What’s disappointing is the engine performance. Again, in isolation, it feels just about fine and apt for the job, but the Creta’s job has been made tough by the presence of the Verna’s state of tune and the Seltos's driving prowess. Although the figures are the same on paper, it somehow lacks the punch and drama of the other two. There are high hopes for the N-Line Creta being introduced this very year, and my fingers are crossed for an extra power unlock for when it is introduced. The good thing is, if spirited driving is what you seek, there are two powertrains that would deliver - the 1.5-litre turbo petrol and the 1.5-litre diesel, both offering close to 250Nm of torque. Having driven both, there are a few notes I would like to share; the diesel offers close to 800 kilometers of range per tank driven like most adults but is a loud powertrain and makes its presence felt inside the cabin. The turbo-petrol, it’s thirsty, but is reserved only for a select few as Hyundai is currently only offering it in a single, top-of-the-shelf variant.

The biggest talking point in terms of the changes has to be the inclusion of the Level-1 ADAS system. A few features that I got to experience - blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward collision avoidance alert, worked just as expected. This system uses a few components, including a dedicated camera behind the windscreen and two radars hidden behind the bumpers. This very suite of ADAS is also being offered with the Seltos, and having experienced those in a closed facility, it is safe to say these systems are accurate, alert, and an important inclusion towards safety.