Hyundai Exter: First Look Review Of The Micro-SUV

Hyundai has finally made its entry into the world of micro-SUVs — or call them beefed-up hatchbacks —  with the launch of the Exter. The Hyundai Exter is launched in the country on July 10, 2023, with a competitive price tag. It is based on the Grand i10 Nios and goes head-to-head with the Tata Punch. In this first-look review, let’s take a closer look at the Exter’s design, interior, features and specifications. So, read on to know more about Hyundai’s latest offering for the Indian market.

Hyundai Exter Design and Dimensions

The Hyundai Exter sports a boxy design with a tall and upright stance. The exterior gets rugged design elements like faux skid plates, body cladding and roof rails. The Exter, like all other new Hyundai cars, features the brand’s parametric jewel design philosophy with gloss black treatment on the front bumper, C-pillar and tailgate.

The front fascia of the Hyundai Exter features the signature H-shaped LED DRLs. The micro-SUV gets a split headlight setup with the projector headlamps mounted on the bumper. The headlamps are connected by a gloss black grille, which renders a unique look to the Exter. Lastly, the front profile gets a rugged-looking faux skid plate, which elevates its overall appeal. And for the first time on a Hyundai car, you can see the Exter lettering above the front grille.

The Exter’s side profile sports squared wheel arches, flared fenders and black cladding. It also gets fancy-looking 15-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, which makes the micro-SUV look premium. There's also a gloss black treatment on the C-Pillar, which enhances the looks of the vehicle.

The rear profile of the Hyundai Exter gets signature H-pattern LED tail lights and a gloss black strip connecting the tail lights. Other highlights include a roof-mounted spoiler and a prominent faux skid plate. Overall, the Exter features a boxy, rugged and premium exterior design.

Coming to the colour options, the Exter is available with six monotone and three dual-tone colour schemes. They include the following colours.

• Atlas White

• Cosmic Blue

• Cosmic Blue/Abyss Black

• Ranger Khaki

• Starry Night

• Fiery Red

• Atlas White/Abyss Black

• Titan Grey

• Ranger Khaki/Abyss Black

The following table provides more details on the dimensions of the Hyundai Exter.

Hyundai Exter Interior

The Hyundai Exter’s interior will remind you of the Grand i10 Nios because the design elements are borrowed from the entry-level hatchback. The overall layout of the dashboard, steering wheel and infotainment system display has been lifted from its hatchback sibling. However, the Exter’s interior comes with three themes: Cosmic Blue, Silver and Light Sage. The circular AC vents also get contrasting colours, depending on the theme.

The front seats have fixed headrests, whereas the rear passengers get the additional comfort of adjustable headrests. The Exter provides ample space being a 5-seater micro-SUV, and all seats get a three-point seatbelt.  The centre console gets two cup holders and a wireless charging pad. Although the interior feels familiar, it gets subtle design elements that set it apart from the i10 Nios.

Hyundai Exter Features

The Hyundai Exter comes loaded with features, along with several segment-first features. It gets a fully digital instrument cluster with a 4.2-inch colour MID and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. However, the prominent highlight of the Exter is the voice-enabled electric sunroof, which is a first in the segment.

Other prominent features of the Exter include automatic climate control, footwell ambient lighting, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, rear AC vents, a cooled glovebox, etc. On top of that, the micro-SUV also gets BlueLink connected car features, and the infotainment system and instrument cluster can be customised in 12 different languages.

Talking about the safety features, the prominent highlight of the Exter is the six airbags that come as standard across the variants. Other safety features include ABS, EBD, TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System), Electronic Stability Control, hill-hold assist, rear parking sensors, a rear parking camera, automatic headlamps, etc. The top-spec variant also gets a factory-fitted dashcam with dual cameras.

Hyundai Exter Specifications

The Hyundai Exter gets a 1.2-litre petrol engine which also does its duty on the Grand i10 Nios, Venue and Aura. The engine comes mated to a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT gearbox. The petrol engine produces 82 bhp and 113.8 Nm of torque. The AMT variant also gets paddle shifters and metal pedals.

The Exter is also available in a CNG variant with detuned power figures of 68 bhp and 95.2 Nm of torque. The CNG model is available only with a manual gearbox.

Hyundai Exter Mileage 

The following table provides more details about the mileage of the Hyundai Exter.

Hyundai Exter Price

The Hyundai Exter is available in seven variants spread across petrol and CNG models. The introductory prices for the petrol-manual variants start at Rs. 6 lakhs, and the prices for the AMT variants start at Rs. 7.97 lakhs. The CNG option is available in two trims: S and SX, priced at Rs. 8.24 lakhs and 8.97 lakhs, respectively. Note that all prices are ex-showroom Delhi.

Hyundai Exter Rivals

The Hyundai Exter will lock horns with the Tata Punch, which has been the best-selling micro-SUV in the country. The Exter can also be an alternative to the Maruti Suzuki Ignis and the Citroen C3, both of which are hatchbacks.

Explore More:

• Hyundai Exter vs Tata Punch

• Hyundai Exter's Crash Test