Hyundai Creta Facelift: Which Variant To Buy?

Hyundai has launched the facelift Creta in India, with its prices starting at ₹11 lakh and going up to ₹20.15 lakh (both ex-showroom, New Delhi). Notably, these are introductory prices and are expected to go up by April 2024. The facelift of the second-generation Creta is offered with three engine options, four gearbox options and seven trim levels, with a total of 19 different variants on offer. To know about how the new Creta is, read our review.

The Creta facelift retains the 113 bhp, 144 Nm, 1.5-litre petrol and 114 bhp, 250 Nm, 1.5-litre diesel engines as before. However, it sees the reintroduction of a turbo-petrol engine, but this time it is the 158 bhp, 253 Nm, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine. The petrol engine is mated with a 6-speed manual or a CVT, while the diesel engine is paired with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The turbo-petrol, like before, only gets the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic (DCT) gearbox. 

Hyundai opened bookings for the Creta on January 2, and in two weeks, received more than 25,000 bookings. To know more about the spilt of the bookings, head here.

Hyundai Creta 1.5-litre petrol: Urban Dwellers

The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine makes the most sense for you if you’re looking to use the Creta mostly in the city. It has a good mix of decent fuel efficiency and adequate performance in the city. This engine with the manual gearbox is available across the trim lineup – E, EX, S, S(O), SX, SX Tech and SX(O) – while the CVT is only available on the S(O), SX Tech and SX(O) trims. 

With this engine, you should consider the S(O) trim as it gives the option to choose between the manual and the CVT. While it may not get the 19 ADAS features that Hyundai is offering on the top-spec trims, it does get essential features like the six airbags, disc brakes on all wheels, TPMS, ESC, automatic headlamps, reverse camera and many more safety features. 

The S(O) trim also has many convenience features like an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, a panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control, electric parking brake, keyless entry and go, drive modes and traction control modes (on the CVT), cruise control and more. 

Hyundai claims that the 1.5-litre petrol engine with the 6-speed manual gearbox has a fuel efficiency of 17.4 kmpl, while with the CVT it returns 17.7 kmpl. The 1.5-litre petrol S(O) MT variant is priced at ₹14.32 lakh, while the 1.5-litre petrol S(O) CVT variant is priced at ₹15.82 lakh (both ex-showroom, Delhi). At this price point and with the aforementioned features on offer, the S(O) trim is the most value-for-money proposition with a petrol engine. 

Hyundai Creta 1.5-litre diesel: Highway Raiders

If you’re someone who is going to use the Creta mostly on the highway and will cover long distances, the 1.50-litre diesel engine makes for an ideal choice. It is smooth and has a strong mid-range, giving you the confidence to push the car. This engine is available on all trims except the SX. 

Similar to the petrol engine, you should consider the S(O) trim with the 1.5-litre diesel engine as it also is available with both manual and automatic gearboxes. Hyundai claims the 1.5-litre diesel engine returns 21.8 kmpl with the manual gearbox and 19.1 kmpl with the automatic gearbox. 

The 1.5-litre diesel S(O) MT variant is priced at ₹15.82 lakh, while the 1.5-litre diesel S(O) AT variant is priced at ₹17.32 lakh (both ex-showroom, Delhi). Like the petrol, the S(O) trim makes the most sense with the diesel engine as well, given the frugality and features on offer. 

Hyundai Creta 1.5-litre turbo-petrol: The Enthusiasts

Creta is also offered with this power-packed, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine that only comes with the 7-speed DCT. The turbo kicks in early and the torque is available through the rev band. It will be an ideal choice for an enthusiast but for common folk, it may be an expensive proposition. This will mostly boil down to the fact that this powertrain option is only available on the top-spec SX(O) variant, which is priced at ₹20.15 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Hyundai claims this powertrain option has a fuel efficiency of 18.4 kmpl. 

The SX(O) trim packs all the bells and whistles that Hyundai is offering with the Creta facelift. Over and above the S(O) trim mentioned earlier, the SX(O) comes with 19 ADAS features, a 360-degree camera, a blind-view monitor, leather upholstery, ambient lighting, ventilated seats, wireless charger, remote engine start, a Bose-tuned sound system, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen.