The City Apex edition can be booked online or at Honda dealerships. It is available in both manual (MT) and CVT variants, with all color options. The V MT is priced at Rs 13.30 lakh, V CVT at Rs 14.55 lakh, VX MT at Rs 14.37 lakh, and VX CVT at Rs 15.62 lakh (all prices ex-showroom).

Key updates include Apex Edition badges on the front fenders and boot lid. Inside, the sedan features leatherette finishes on the dashboard, door pads, and center console, along with exclusive seat covers and cushions. The package also adds 7-color ambient lighting around the instrument panel and in the door pockets, which is available separately for Rs 7,500 across all trims.

The City Apex edition comes equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen (with Android Auto/Apple CarPlay), LED DRLs, projector headlamps, LED taillights, automatic climate control, push-button start/stop, 15-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, connected car tech, a 4.2-inch MID, TPMS, six airbags, lane-watch camera, sunroof, wireless charger, rear reading lamps, and advanced safety features such as adaptive cruise control and auto emergency braking.

The sedan is powered by a 1.5-liter, 4-cylinder petrol engine that produces 121bhp and 145Nm of torque. It is available with either a 6-speed manual or CVT automatic transmission.

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• 5 star Global NCAP crash safety rating 
• New 1.2L Z12E engine 
• Unique styling from Swift 

Maruti Suzuki has launched the fourth-generation Dzire in india at a price starting Rs. 6.79 Lakhs(Ex-showroom). The compact sedan gets a host of improvements including new powertrains despite being based on the same platform.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire: Design

For the first time ever, the Dzire no longer shares it’s design with the Swift hatchback. At the front, it gets an all new fascia with a new larger hexagonal shaped grille. Flanking this are two brand new LED headlamps. The bonnet is also flatter now with sharp creases towards either ends. Towards the side, one can see the resemblance to the 3rd generation Dzire with the only major change being new 17 inch alloys wheels and slightly reworked fender and door panels.

At the rear however, it gets new “Trinity” LED taillamps with a clear lens and a chrome strip linking them together. The bootlid also gets redesigned with a deeper recess and a small spoiler. The bumper also gets sharper creases now.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire: Interiors & Features

Unlike the exteriors, the dashboard design of the Dzire is identical to the Swift. It does get some specific changes though like a new dual-tone beige and black theme, faux wood trims and a silver accent on the dashboard. At the centre of it, stands the 9 inch Smartplay Pro Plus touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay as part of the equipment. It is also the first time that the Dzire will get an electric sunroof in the equipment list which also includes Auto Climate Control, Cruise Control, 360 degree camera, ARKAMYS surround sound system, TPMS, keyless entry, a Wireless smartphone charger and more.

As for safety, the fourth-generation Dzire has scored an impressive 5 stars crash safety rating from Global NCAP and gets 6 airbags, ABS+EBD, ESP, Brake Assist and 3 point seatbelts with reminders for all occupants as part of it’s safety suite.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire: Powertrain

Under the hood, the Dzire gets an all-new 1.2L three-cylinder petrol engine codenamed the Z12E. This engine- also be found on the fourth generation Swift can be had with a 5 speed MT or 5 speed AMT transmission options. This powertrain produces 81HP and 112NM of torque. Maruti will also be offering an S-CNG version of the same which will make a lesser 68HP and 102NM of torque which can only had with the 5 speed manual.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire: Variants & Price 

Maruti Suzuki is offering the Dzire in four basic variants- LXI, VXI, ZXI and ZXI+. Price range starts from Rs. 6.79-10.14 Lakhs (Ex-showroom). The VXI and ZXI MT variants can also be had with S-CNG for an additional Rs. 95,000(Ex-showroom) over their pure petrol counterparts. The detailed pricelist is given below-

*S-CNG available for Rs. 95,000 extra

All prices Ex-showroom)

Three new colours- Alluring Blue, Nutmeg Brown and Gallant Red have been introduced in addition to the Magma Grey, Splendid Silver, Arctic White and Bluish Black.

The new fourth-generation Dzire will compete with other compact sedan such as the upcoming Honda Amaze facelift and Hyundai Aura among other rivals.

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• 1.5L turbo-petrol & 1.5L Diesel
• Captain seats with extendable thigh support and ventilation
• New styling

Hyundai has launched the facelifted Alcazar at a price of Rs. 14.99 Lakhs (Ex-showroom). This major facelift of the Alcazar gives it comprehensive updates in terms of styling, equipment and interiors while it remains unchanged under the hood.

Hyundai Alcazar facelift: Design

Just like the Creta facelift which launched earlier this year, the Alcazar also follows a similar design language with connected LED strip at the front with H shaped DRLs as well as a large square grille and vertically stacked headlamps. However, it also gets unique touches like the beefier skid plate. Towards the side, you now get a new design for the alloy wheels as well as taller roof rails. The rear now gets a complete overhaul with vertical LED taillamps connected by an light strip. There also a new silver applique around them as well as on the rear bumper.

Hyundai Alcazar facelift: Interiors & Features

Inside, the Alcazar gets a completely new dashboard with dual 10.25 inch screens for the infotainment and gauge cluster. Hyundai will be offering the Alcazar in 6 and 7 seater avatars with the former getting captain seats for the second row. The interiors also now get a tan theme to improve the cabin experience.

In terms of equipment, the facelift adds a lot of new features like 1st and 2nd row wireless chargers, ambient lighting, 8 way powered seats for the driver and passenger with the former also getting memory functionality, digital key, dual zone climate control, 8 speaker Bose sound system with subwoofer making a small part of the list. At the rear, you also get thigh cushion extension, ventilation and window shades are present for the second row captain seats. Both the 6 and 7 seat versions get reclining and sliding function for the second row. Safety in the Alcazar is taken care of by all wheel disc brakes, 6 airbags, hill descent control, hill start assist, ADAS L2 among else.

Hyundai Alcazar facelift: Powertrain

Under the hood, the alcazar remains unchanged and gets an option of a 1.5L turbo-petrol making 160HP and 253NM paired to either a 6 speed manual or 7 speed DCT automatic transmission along with a 1.5L diesel engine making 115HP and 250NM which can be had with a 6 speed manual or 6 speed torque converter automatic transmission.

Hyundai Alcazar facelift: Price

Hyundai has not revealed the entire price list yet but has let us know that the base Petrol will cost Rs. 14.99 Lakhs while the base Diesel variant has been priced at Rs. 15.99 Lakhs(Ex-showroom).

The Hyundai Alcazar goes up against other SUVs like Mahindra XUV7OO and Tata Safari as well as MPVs such as the Kia Carens and Toyota Innova Crysta

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Pros

• Big on features
• Competent and wide range of powertrains
• Refinement levels are top-notch
• Perfect size for urban confines
• Contemporary looks

Cons

• No “sportier” variant on offer
• Rear seat is narrow
• Stiff ride quality
• Foglamps are weak in poor weather
• Loud styling of X-Line not to everybody’s tastes

Kia’s Sonet has been an incredibly popular CSUV in the recent times. Big reasons for are the wide and competent range of powertrains, an extensive feature list and high-quality interiors along with smart styling. These always ensured that the Sonet was always one of the top-sellers in the segment. Come 2024 and Kia has decided to give it another upgrade. Not that it needed it, but this facelift goes on to further this hit concoction even more.

2024 Kia Sonet facelift: Design & Styling

For our test, we had the X-Line variant of the Sonet which gets a matte-black paintjob and several blacked out elements outside. At the onset, you can see that Kia has not fiddled around much with the styling, and with good reason too. A nip and tuck is all that it needed to maintain its smart styling outside. Talking of the front end, you now get new L-shaped headlamps with a distinctive DRL signature along with a larger grille and a new bumper. Unlike its Hyundai brethren, the Sonet still gets foglamps in the form of an LED light strip below.

The rear fascia is where it feels properly different. Gone are the old taillamps which are now replaced by a unique connected cluster bringing it more inline with the Seltos and Carens. When I say unique, it means the entire setup is now illuminated and fully LED with a chunkier C shaped signature at at the ends. As a result of this, you also now get a flatter hatch. You also get redesigned, slightly more rugged looking bumper and curiously, the reverse lamp now sits in the centre at the bottom. Overall, the changes have surely made it feel more characterful outside.

2024 Kia Sonet facelift: Interiors & Features

Get inside and you realise, not much has changed. The dashboard retains the high-quality look and feel while the 10.25 inch touchscreen infotainment system has been retained. The climate control panels though have had a slight update and re-arrangement while the facelift is now also equipped with a crisp 10.25 inch screen for the gauge cluster too. The X-Line variant here gets a sage green upholstery for the seats which is subtle, yet classy and different.

The rear seat remains the same and exposes the rare blemish in the entire package with a narrow width and average legroom. Taller folks are not going to be fans of the same. However, Kia has made the useful additions of sunblinds and USB C-type charging ports to make life that much easier here. A pet peeve of mine inside is the puzzling absence of wireless functionality for Android Auto and Apple Carplay which is strangely available in lower variants.

Coming on to features, the already long list is now longer with stuff like 4 way adjustable electric driver seat, ADAS Level 1 features, A slick new UI for the infotainment screen, a high-res 360 degree camera along with a ventilated wireless smartphone charger. Now this is already besides features such as ambient lighting, ventilated front seats, an air purifier, BOSE sound system and front parking sensors among else which was a part of the list from earlier. Safety is also well taken care of with disc brakes on all wheels, ABS, EBD, ESC Traction Control, Hill Start Assist and a standard 6 airbags. The fifth occupant also gets a three-point seatbelt. It still gets a decently sized 385L boot which is respectable for this class.

2024 Kia sonet facelift: Performance & Ride Quality

Under the hood, the Sonet continues with the choice of 2 petrol engines- a 1.2L four-cylinder motor with 83HP mated to a 5 speed MT and a 1.0L three-cylinder turbo-petrol making 120HP which can be had with either a 7 speed dual-clutch automatic or a 6 speed iMT (clutchless manual) transmission. The 1.5L four-cylinder diesel has also been retained and makes 115HP and 250NM of torque. This can now also be had with a 6 speed MT in addition to the 6 speed iMT and 6 speed torque converter automatic which is what we have with us today. Start the engine and you are instantly impressed with the silence of a diesel. NVH and Refinement have always been Kia’s strongpoints. On the move, the engine feels torquey and linear and while it is not the most thrilling, it makes for a great frugal and competent powerhouse.

The 6 speed AT has a similar story. Shifts are smooth and silent even if not the fastest. Under heavy acceleration, it takes some time to downshift but never feels confused resulting in a great experience. Overall, the diesel is more comfortable cruising over hustling and will reward the driver well. That’s not to say that it does not move, it is able to pick up its skirt and run but it is the most enjoyable at a steady pace. The frugality of the diesel is also a feather in its hat with the car returning upwards of 15 Kmpl with a mixed running and a fair bit of gunning it in our tests as well.

The Sonet handles quite well and while the steering feedback is lacking, it weighs up at high speeds and offers a fairly confidence inspiring drive. The handling is aided by the stiffer suspension setup, but while enjoyable on the highway it can be a tad jerk-inducing on broken roads at city speeds. However, the all-wheel disc brake setup feels confident and the car sheds down speed quickly and with no drama. I just wish however, that Kia should consider a sportier version with perhaps a more thrilling tune for the engine and gearbox, a raspy exhaust and a more feelsome steering which would make it a properly perfect hot SUV if there is any such thing. The X-Line is great, but the Sonet definitely has more to give.

2024 Kia sonet facelift: Verdict

The answer is quite simple actually. Kia has only furthered the qualities of the Sonet. An already accomplished option has just become even more attractive in the segment. While rivals play catch-up, the even longer features list, some bold styling tweaks and the frugal yet exciting and smooth powertrains take it’s case even further. Yes, it could be more spacious, it could be little bit more fun but as far as this segment goes, competition should be worried. Because the king of the segment just got a new crown.

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Pros

• Commanding driving position
• Loads of space everywhere
• Smooth and refined powertrain
• Fantastic ride quality
• Significantly more affordable than rivals

Cons

• Misses out on the latest tech
• No turbo-petrol or hybrid drivetrains on offer
• Thick C Pillar is a hindrance
• CVT is smooth but lethargic
• NVH levels could be better

Honda has sort of fallen behind in the past five years. With the line-up dwindling slowly to just two sedans, it was in a desperate need to stay relevant. The Elevate is this attempt to stay relevant in the Indian market and Honda’s first real crack at the midsize SUV segment. Now, this segment is the hottest one today and has some really competitive rivals today. So, Honda is late to the party but has it arrived prepared? We have the Elevate with us today to find out where it stands and if it has the potential to revive the fortunes of a once-aspirational brand to prevent it from fading away.

Honda Elevate Design & Styling

Bold is a word completely anonymous for Honda. See their current line-up and subtle, classy and toned-down are the words that come to your mind. But it also knows that Indians’ preferences have evolved. Bold, exciting and glamorous is what’s working today and it seems to have taken note of the same. While not being outrightly ostentatious, the Elevate makes you sit up and take notice. That is, readers, without the use of excessive chrome.

Be it the large upright grille in the front, tall bonnet or angry looking headlamps the Elevate manages to look aggressive without being brash about it. Look at the side profile and you realise how large it is. With a height of 1650mm, it is one tall car too. The very Volvo-esque kink in the window line, smart alloys and a generous dollop of cladding gives it a very SUV vibe. At the rear, there are ofcourse the connected taillamps shaped smartly and placed tall up. The rest of the design gives off a very clean-looking exterior. The Elevate’s design is anything unlike Honda has brought to our shores, yet one would not mistake it for any other brand. Smart and inoffensive, yet without looking like an uncle-mobile.

Honda Elevate Interiors & Features

One has to admit, today’s rivals have set tall benchmarks for the interiors. In-keeping with Honda’s ‘man maximum machine minimum’ philosophy, the functional aspects are all marvellously executed. The large doors open wide, the tall height means ingress-egress is effortless and there is loads of space everywhere. At the front there is a simple dashboard with a leather insert, square vents and a leather plus wood insert. The centre stage is the 10.25 inch touchscreen that is all-new. One can also observe a nice and deep shelf just under the AC controls to store knick-knacks while also accommodating the wireless smartphone charger.

The HVAC controls are thankfully still physical buttons with neat toggles for the temperature and fan speed. Good going Honda! Not all is rosy though. Ventilated seats are sorely missed, my passengers often complained that despite the room available, the co-driver seat is set a bit too sedan-like and there is a whole dollop of equipment, expected in this segment, missing. Take the sunroof for example, a single pane small one when rivals offer larger ones, or the fact that despite the effective air-conditioning, dual-zone AC is not present, or the fact that there is no 360 degree camera……you get the gist. The digital instrument dials look classy but the MID menu can be a chore to toggle through on the move.

Par sahab toh peeche baithenge. The rear seats are where the Elevate shines through. They are supportive, have just the right amount of hardness and leave no room to complain about headroom or legroom. Another nice touch here is the rear ac vents (which actually are effective) and a nice slope up in the floor to make for a good footrest. With such fantastic focus on the rear cabin, I would also hope Honda adds sunblinds on the windows to make for an even better ‘driven’ experience.

Honda Elevate Performance & Ride Quality

Under the hood, the Elevate gets powered by the familiar 1.5L four-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine making 120HP and 145NM of torque also shared with the City. Paired to this is either a 6 speed manual transmission or a 7 step CVT automatic which is what I drove. This engine has become synonymous with the brand Honda having powered many cars in its long life. And just as you expect it, the first observation is the incredible refinement with which it starts. Throughout the rpm range, it is smooth and more than satisfactory. Response for itself is great too and given the rich history, reliability will as well. However, if you are expecting any thrills from it, you will be disappointed. It does not feel boring and can give you some smiles but falls short of the more powerful turbo-petrols we see today. Fair enough, but what is truly inexplicable is the absence of the City’s strong hybrid option. Why Honda? It would have made the Elevate a fantastic mile muncher and given it a true USP that it needs. The CVT is as expected, a very smooth and well calibrated unit but it is noisy and the notorious rubber-band effect persists.

Anyhow, what Honda has done unmistakably right is the ride quality. Fabulous doesn’t begin to describe it as it takes every pothole, speed breaker, crack on the road with aplomb while consistently not feeling too soft at higher speeds. There is surely some sort of wizardry involved in making a tall crossover such as itself insulate you from the nasty city road gremlins while at the same time making it feel incredibly sporty on the bends when you do decide to have fun. What is all the more comforting is the commanding driving position which gives an awesome badi gaadi feeling. The tall bonnet with a flat front end also helps you make easier judgements.

The chassis has some potential to give consistently feeling stable with the tyres giving up much before you even touch the limits of it. Put some stickier rubber and one can surely have a lot of fun in the ghats. The steering in true Honda fashion lacks feedback but weighs up well. The NVH levels have surely been improved and the Elevate also gets full wheel well cladding at the rear to reduce road and tyre noise. Wind noise however makes its presence felt and it is no european in these terms. On the 350 something kilometres I had it for over expressways, city traffic and the gruesome traffic jams, it returned an overall figure of 12.5Kmpl which is pretty respectable for its class. My only complaint here is the tiny 40L fuel tank restricts mile-munching ability.

Honda Elevate Verdict

The Elevate is an important product for Honda. And it is a great one too! Loads of space, a huge boot, easy and silent ride while still having those characteristic traits that make it a true Honda will certainly appeal to a section of buyers. However, it fails to appeal to the right side of the brain. For one, it has no exciting turbo-petrol nor a strong hybrid for efficiency seekers while still not having a great deal of tech that is now an expectation rather than an aspiration. And before you say, yes the Elevate, being priced at Rs 11.69-16.51 Lakhs (Ex-showroom) is significantly more affordable that rivals too, but buyers clearly are willing to pay more for a no-compromise situation. I came out of the week I had with the car liking it quite a lot but I couldn’t fall in love with it. And until Honda fixes it with more thrills and frills, it is destined to keep doing the odd 2000-2500 monthly unit run. All is not lost though, Honda still has time to correct things and with the right person at the top, it has the potential to truly shine even in the current sea of crossovers. Till then, I will keep daydreaming of an Elevate Type-R.

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• New 1.2L Z12E engine
• 6 airbags as standard
• Five variants

Maruti Suzuki has launched the 4th generation of their popular Swift hatchback at a price of Rs. 6.49 Lakhs (Ex-showroom). It debuts the new Z series engine for the first time in India and boasts of a fuel efficiency figure of 25.75Kmpl. Additionally, it receives a complete redesign, better equipment and better safety features as well.

2024 Maruti Suzuki Swift: Design

Talking of the design, Maruti has taken an evolutionary approach and refrained to make bold changes to the design. The front features a smaller circular grille flanked by smoked LED projector headlamps with a swept-back shape. The lower half of the bumper features lesser elements with pentagonal foglamp surrounds and a matter black element giving it a more minimalistic look. The new Swift also gets a rounded clamshell style bonnet design which gives it a signature look. Towards the side, the clamshell bonnet blends into a strong shoulder line that runs all the way till the taillamps. The side profile also retains a similar shape to the previous generation but now features conventionally mounted rear door handles as opposed to the C pillar mounted ones on the previous car. It rides on 15 inch alloy wheels.

At the rear, the resemblance to the previous swift is evident with squarish headlamps and a fairly flat rear end. The hatch is now wider however and the taillamps get a clear lens design. You also have a new bumper with reflectors at the bottom edges.

2024 Maruti Suzuki Swift: Interiors & Features

Inside, the Swift gets a new dashboard which looks more modern. The 9 inch Smartplay Pro touchscreen is now mounted in a free-standing position above the centre AC vents. The HVAC controls are also borrowed from the new Brezza and Baleno while the instrument cluster is also slightly updated and now features a colour MID. Certain elements, however, like the USB port caps, window switches and the steering wheel continue unchanged.

In terms of equipment it gets a wireless smartphone charger, wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay, keyless entry, reversing camera, rear AC vents, cruise control, an ARKAMYS sound system and more. In terms of safety, equipment remains standard across variants and includes 6 airbags, ABS+EBD, ESP, Hill Hold Assist and 3 point seatbelts with reminders for all occupants.

2024 Maruti Suzuki Swift: Performance, Price & Variants

Under the hood, the Swift gets powered by a brand-new 1.2L 3 cylinder petrol engine codenamed the Z12E. It produces 82HP and 112NM of torque which is 8HP and 2NM lower than the outgoing K12M engine. This can be had paired to either a 5 speed manual transmission or a 5 speed AMT. The highlight of this powertrain is the fuel economy which Maruti claims at 25.75Kmpl for the AMT equipped variants and 24.8Kmpl for the MT. A CNG powered version of the Swift is expected to be launched in the next few months.

The new Swift is available in two new colours- Luster Blue and Novel Orange in addition to the existing Sizzling Red, Pearl Arctic White, Magma Grey, Splendid Silver. The Blue, White and Red shades are also available with a dual-tone paint option which adds a black roof for an extra Rs. 15,000 in the top ZXI+ variant. Prices for the new Swift range between Rs. 6.49-9,64 Lakhs (Ex-showroom). The detailed price breakup is given below-

(All prices in INR Ex-showroom)

The 4th generation Swift rivals other small hatchbacks such as the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios and Tata Tiago besides many of its own Maruti siblings. It will be sold through Maruti’s Arena chain of dealerships.

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• Available in CNG and Petrol
• Minor cosmetic changes
• Most affordable Toyota SUV

Toyota has launched the Urban Cruiser Taisor at a price of Rs. 7.74Lakhs (Ex-showroom). The Urban Cruiser Taisor is basically just a rebadged version of the Maruti Fronx featuring minor cosmetic changes. It becomes Toyota’s most affordable SUV to be sold in India.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor: Design

Being a rebadge, the Urban Cruiser Taisor retains the body panels from the Fronx. There are, however some minor changes that have been made by Toyota cosmetically. Starting off from the front, the Urban Cruiser Taisor gets a new grille with a honeycomb mesh pattern.

We can also see that the DRLs have a different linear pattern. Below, it also has a wider faux silver scuff plate along with a slightly wider air dam.

These changes have also led to a slightly differentiated bumper design. On the sides, the only change is the new design for alloy wheels. At the rear as well, changes have been kept limited to new detailing inside taillamps which get connected by an LED strip.

Talking of colours, it is offered in Cafe White, Enticing Silver, Sportin Red, Lucent Orange, and Gaming Grey with the former three also available with a black roof in dual-tone variants.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor: Interior, Features

Inside, the Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor remains identical to the Fronx and gets a two-tone brown and black colour theme. The equipment list is also unchanged and it gets features such as Auto climate control, a 9 inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless charger, heads-up display, 360 degree camera, Toyota i-Connect connected car tech, wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay and more.

Safety is taken care of by the presence of 6 airbags, ESP, Hill-hold assist and more.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor: Powertrains, Variants, Price

Under the hood, the Urban Cruiser Taisor gets the same options for powertrains. These include a 1.2L NA petrol engine producing 90HP and 113NM of torque which can be had with either a 5 speed MT or AMT automatic gearbox options. You also have a 1.0L turbo-petrol motor making 100HP and 148NM of torque which can be had with a 5 speed manual or 6 speed torque converter automatic gearbox. Toyota will also be offering a CNG-powered version with the former which makes 76HP and 98NM of torque. This will come mated to only a 5 speed manual.

The Urban Cruiser Taisor will be offered in 6 variants- E, S, S+, G, V and V Dual tone. The former three will get the 1.2L engine while the latter three will get the 1.0L engine. The CNG will only be available in the base E variant. Prices for the Urban Cruiser Taisor range between Rs. 7.74-13.04 Lakhs (Ex-showroom). It will go up against other compact crossovers such as the Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue, Renault Kiger and others besides its own sibling Maruti Fronx

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To start off with today’s quest we have to first take the gorgeous Mysuru expressway. Long winding roads of smooth tarmac are easy-peasy for the Exter. The cruise control especially helps to reduce fatigue by a great deal as does the smooth shifting AMT automatic gearbox. Now today, we are actually going to Surathkal, a beautiful beach town close to Mangaluru to tell you a fascinating, yet unfortunate story you will never forget. But first, we have to hit the ghats!

Crossing Coorg, we join the lovely western ghats with charming teak trees dotted alongside, with the voice activated sunroof providing amazing views, The Ranger khaki colour of the Exter along with the brawny and tough styling fits right in the scenery here as it does in the urban jungles while the 7 inch touchscreen ensures solid entertainment with the convenience of voice commands on the go. And soon we will descend on to the pretty little beach town of Surathkal as today’s adventure awaits!

Bhagwati prem isn’t a cargo ship, it is a sand dredger which is used to remove sand accumulated in the waterways closer to the harbours so that other ships can pass through easily. Unfortunately, while sailing Bhagwati prem was victim to a sea storm in the middle of a night which lead to loss of engine power leading to it’s unfortunate fate. With this accident, the ship became a hazard in the sea and was hence towed here, to be later broken down and scrapped. It could have also been sunk like others but that could also have posed a danger to other sea traffic as well as the marine life around it.

Keeping you safe is another bold trait that Exter possesses. With 6 airbags as standard and a factory fit dual dashcam, it ensures you and your family are safe be it on the expressway or the hills. Back to the ship, it has brought a fascinating and unexpected change around the ecology too. According to the local fishermen, the massive 114m long ship calms down the waves in the area around it and has lead to a noticeable increase of marine life in the area around it. A true story of how an unfortunate circumstance led to a positive outcome!

Our time with the ship has come to an end and sadly, so has it with the delightful little Hyundai. With a refined 1.2L engine, smooth AMT and goodies such as a wireless charger and rear ac vents, it makes for a remarkable partner on such adventures. Where are you heading for your next adventure?

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Pros

• Powerful new 1.5 turbo-petrol engine
• Just the right size
• Excellent fit-and-finish
• Sober styling will be more universally liked
• Improved ride quality

Cons

• DCT has noticeable lag in shifts
• Turbo-petrol restricted to top variant and AT
• Seat bolstering could be better
• No wireless Android Auto/ Apple Carplay in top variants
• Some plastics could have better quality

Hyundai’s Creta, after two generations and three iterations has proved to be a formidable force to reckon with, not just in the segment but the entire mass market. Performing consistently better than each previous version, it has become Hyundai’s most important model in the market. It created waves in 2015 when the first generation was launched and later in 2020 with the second one as well. You see then, it’s not “just” another crossover but really the daddy of the segment. With competition ramping up however, Hyundai has decided to give it a nip and tuck facelift and that is what we have with us here today. Is Hyundai staring at another sales record? Let’s find out!

Hyundai Creta facelift Design

Ironically enough, design was perhaps the biggest dividing factor among the general public. It was radical, space-y and unconventional. The facelift is different though. Make no mistake, it’s still not everybody’s Ferrari, yet hardly anybody should reject it solely on the basis of styling. At the front, the Creta now gets a square grille with 4 horizontal slats finished in “dark chrome” as Hyundai calls it. There is a new DRL element as well with a connected light bar going across. A massive faux silver skidplate underlines the front end and is flanked with the now vertically placed headlights. Note the absence of foglights as is in latest Hyundais.

Towards the side, not much has changed. It still retains the proportionate shape and the huge silver accent (something which should not exist). The only real change are the alloys which now get a more sharper and edgy design.

At the rear, the design has been cleaned up. The taillights now form a part of a sleek black surround encompassing the rear of the car along with a, you guessed it, connected light bar. The reverse light has been moved to the centre of the new rear bumper which can look a bit odd. Overall, one gets used to the styling much quicker than the pre-facelifts- something I am still to wrap my head around.

Hyundai Creta facelift Interior & Features

Inside is where the biggest changes lie. In true Hyundai fashion, the moment you sit inside you’re treated a modern, premium-feeling cabin. An updated dashboard in the facelift only does more than its part to make the cabin feel modern. Yes, some plastics in the lower part could be better, but overall it provides a nice-feeling cabin experience. The highlight inside is clearly the twin 10.25 inch screens; the centre one being a touchscreen and the other, a digital instrument cluster. Both screens are crisp, responsive and make the interior feel great. Another touch I love are the physical buttons for climate control functions- something disappearing slowly. A nice little touch is the rose gold trim going around the lower edge of the screens.

Talking of features, the Creta facelift comes with a host of new additions. The list includes L2 ADAS with adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist and a whole lot more, 8 way powered driver seat, ventilated front seats, rear sunblinds, dual-zone climate control, 360 degree camera, auto emergency braking among a trove of more gadgetry. All these only add to the convenience and wow factor. I also like the unique grey, white and black tones used inside which do their part to make the cabin feel airy. The attention-to-detail with the orange stitching compliments the theme very well.

Speaking of comfort, the seats remain largely unchanged and offer good support all-around. The bolstering could be improved though. The rear seat is also quite a nice place to be in. With the 2 step reclining backrest, soft cushions, sunblinds and the hard seat foam, it’s an excellent place for long durations. In classic Creta fashion, there is a good amount of space for the size and you won’t feel claustrophobic inside. Boot space remains unchanged at 411L.

Hyundai Creta facelift Performance

Under the hood, the Creta facelift comes with a choice of a 1.5L MPI NA Petrol, a new 1.5L turbo-petrol and a 1.5L CRDI diesel engines. You can read our review of the 1.5 turbo-petrol in our Hyundai Verna review here. This time, I got to drive the 1.5L NA Petrol mated to the IVT transmission. It makes a modest figure of 113HP and 144NM of torque.

Start up the car and the engine is almost completely silent. Right off the bat, as you give throttle one can feel a nice, smooth wave of low end torque culminating in a decent mid range. However, this engine is at its best when cruising. Pushing it till the redline will yield more noise, not much progress and an unpleasant groan. Overall, this is an engine made for the open roads, never feeling underpowered nor something to set the streets on fire. For that, you have the sweet turbo-petrol.

The IVT is a great choice of transmission. It goes about its way in a smooth and silent manner with far less “rubber-band effect” than conventional CVTs. Hyundai also provides paddles shifters as standard with the AT variants, but the IVT is tuned so well you will never feel the need to use them.

As speeds go up, you notice a balanced suspension tune- the older car had a soft edge to it making it feel floaty at triple digit speeds. There is none of that here. The suspension is composed, silent and comfortable for the most part. It does still have a softer edge to it, but not at the cost of poise mid-corner and passenger comfort. Given this tune, it is a comfortable car to drive on pothole-lined roads as well. Talking of the steering, it weighs up well but lacks enough feedback. This does not affect precision though and you never feel out of control.

Hyundai Creta Verdict

Another sales record then? You bet, Hyundai has announced that it’s received more than 52,000 bookings within a month of launch. But then, being a Creta it was always going to do that and with good reason. It is as close to an all-rounder as it could be. Something to keep your head and heart reasonably happy as well as your wallet and family. A comfortable, practical, no-nonsense yet safe choice is now also tech-laden, little bit zesty and modern as well. All this does come at a hefty price tag though with the top end stretching to as much as Rs. 20 Lakhs (Ex-showroom). All this has little consequence, afterall the Creta is India’s favourite little korean baby.

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Hyundai Creta facelift Design

Starting off with the design, Hyundai has given the crossover a complete makeover. From the pictures, one can see a huge squared-off grille with chrome slats. These are flanked by vertically stacked headlights and a connected LED light bar which goes end to end. There is also a massive silver skid plate at the bottom half of the front fascia. We can also see significant sheet metal changes with different character lines and design changes. Notably, following the latest trend of Hyundai, the foglamps have been omitted.

Another picture released by Hyundai shows off the rear end. This is dramatic shift from the earlier car and now features a more mature design. The highlight here is the square taillamps connected by a thick light bar. This follows Hyundai’s latest global design philosophy. Below it, we can see a more contoured hatch along with a thicker skid plate below.

Hyundai Creta facelift Interiors

Hyundai has also given us a glimpse of the interiors of the facelifted Creta. It features an all-new dashboard with a twin-screen setup for the instrument cluster and infotainment system. From the pictures it also seems like the AC controls have been moved below the AC vents and now are a part of a touchscreen. In terms of design, the dashboard also follows the exteriors and now features a lot more layers and textures. Hyundai has also given a small cubby above the glovebox to store small items.

Talking of features, the facelifted Creta will receive many new things as part of its equipment list. These can include dual-zone climate control, digital instrument cluster, 360 camera, ADAS suite and more. Hyundai will also offer 6 airbags as a standard safety feature.

Hyundai Creta facelift; Engine

Under the hood, the Creta will continue with the 1.5L NA Petrol and 1.5L Diesel engines. There will also be a new option in the form of a new 1.5L turbo petrol shared with the Alcazar, Verna and the likes which makes 160HP and 253NM. All three engines will come with IVT, 6 speed torque converter and 7 speed dual-clutch automatic transmissions besides a 6 speed manual. This new turbo-petrol replaces the old 1.4L unit which was discontinued early last year due to stricter emission norms.

Hyundai Creta facelift; Launch, Price, Variants

According to reports, Hyundai will launch the Creta facelift on January 16. Bookings are open at a price of Rs 25,000. Hyundai also says that customers with bookings for existing versions will be offered an option to upgrade them to the facelifted cars. In terms of pricing, one can expect a hefty premium looking at the popularity of the SUV. Hyundai will offer the Creta in seven trim levels namely- E, EX, S, S(O), SX, SX Tech and SX(O). Hyundai will also offer a new Robust Emerald Pearl colour in addition to the existing options which include Fiery Red, Ranger Khaki, Abyss Black, Atlas White and Titan Grey. The white colour can also be optioned with a dual-tone scheme with a black roof. Just like the current car, also expected soon are Knight, Adventure and other editions which will bring more unique cosmetic enhancements at a later date.

When launched, the Hyundai Creta facelift will compete with rivals such as the Kia Seltos, Maruti Grand Vitara, Skoda Kushaq and others.

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