Hyundai Creta N Line Review: Is the Stripe Worth The Hype?

Hyundai India says the Creta N Line comes close to the real N cars, and I am hell-bent on putting these claims to the test.

In a world where every automaker seems to have an "N Line" variant, Hyundai isn't holding back. With the Creta N Line, they're cranking up the heat, boasting about being the sportiest compact SUV to hit Indian roads. But can it deliver the goods, or is it just another pretty face in the crowd?

Hyundai Creta N Line: Exterior

So first thing. It’s the looks, it’s an N Line so optics do matter because that’s what it’s all about. Thunder Blue, the signature colour, is very much available. You’ve got the red stripe along the side and in the front. All the red elements are also very much what you would expect from a N Line. There are six colour options overall by the way. When it comes to solid colours, you’ve got white, a new matte grey, and black. But in two tones with the black roof, you’ve got white, the regular grey which is a new paint scheme and of course, the Thunder Blue. So, Hyundai finally decided to spice things up and throw a matte finish into the mix for the first time with this nameplate. About time, right?

There’s a big change in the front, the face is different to the regular Creta because the grille has been broken up. You’ve got this natural body colour element that runs through and breaks the grille, making it slim. While that’s not a bad thing, it makes the car look sporty. It does make it look a little compact. I would have liked the huge Hyundai logo to be finished in matte black. That would have looked sexy, a little sinister, a little bit more of an attitude with that.

Hyundai has not stopped adding bits to enhance the styling. So N Line badges. There are four of them on the car, two on the sides, one in the front and then there’s one at the back. A big new spoiler that’s another little add-on for the N Line Creta and then you’ve got the twin-tip exhaust which kind of wraps things up along with of course the red stripe in the bumper. All these bits do make it look sporty.

Hyundai Creta N Line: Tech & Interior

And the inside too reiterates this theme. The all-black theme makes it look a tad sinister and the red accents are sprinkled all over the place like on the dashboard, seats, steering wheel, and even the gear lever. The panoramic sunroof though is a real lifesaver since the all-black theme makes things feel a tad cramped, so the larger glass surface gives the cabin an airy feel.

But here’s where I feel Hyundai should’ve shown some consistency. On the base N8 trim, several of the features are missing to keep the price aggressive. Like a smaller 8-inch display instead of the fancy 10.25-inch one, and guess what? No Bluelink connectivity, no ADAS, and not even the Bose-tuned audio system. Kinda disappointing!

Hyundai Creta N Line: Safety

But Hyundai hasn’t skimped on safety! Along with strengthening the structural integrity of the SUV. It receives 42 features as standard including six airbags, hill-start assist, tyre pressure monitoring, three-point seatbelts with reminders, ISOFIX mounts and rear parking sensors – all packed in. Even the Level 2 ADAS works like clockwork.

Hyundai Creta N Line: Engine & Transmission

I've experienced some wild N cars and believe me, they are mental. It gets my heart racing every time I get inside one. But the folks at Hyundai India say this N Line comes close. So like with every N Line, this one has no real mechanical changes, no engine option, no extra power bump, and no stiffer suspension.

Now you might think that’s disappointing, but you know what, that is what N Line is supposed to be all about. The N cars are the ones which have massive differences in performance. So don’t be expecting that. It can still do the 0-100 kmph sprint in under 8.9 seconds compared to the regular Creta’s 10.35 seconds.

That’s quick for a SUV of this size. The part though, that I want to tell you, which makes me happy, is that on the regular turbo version of the Creta, you don’t get the manual. On this, you get the 6-speed manual, that’s a lot more fun. There’s a lot more feedback with this combination, and it’s not what I had expected it to be, but does its job well.

Hyundai Creta N Line: Ride & Handling

Taking corners is effortless, even if you push it a bit harder. But what will disappoint you is its low-end torque, it judders on lower rpm forcing you to downshift more often than you normally would but since the clutch travel is not long, you don’t mind it. The added weight is evident with mild body roll.

Despite the high power output, you will have to plan the overtakes because the gearbox struggles a bit to find the sweet spot. Things change drastically though once you reach the mid-range, post 3000 rpm. But unlike some of the other N Line cars, the disappointing thing is you don’t get the little exhaust note, the exaggeration of having a tiny growl you hear now and then. While I know that’s exaggerated and maybe could say it’s fake, it’s something nice and it would have been good to have it here on the Creta N Line too.

Hyundai Creta N Line: Verdict

Hyundai has missed an opportunity here on some mechanical extras. Having said that, the Creta N Line is still a spicy addition. Pricing? Well, it's not a steal, but it's not highway robbery either. Compared to the Kia Seltos X Line though– this one goes beyond giving you that edge in the SUV game.

The regular Creta, the SX (O) DCT with turbo petrol, which has the same drivetrain is about Rs. 1.68 lakh more expensive than the base N8, while the N10 costs about Rs. 35,000 more.

So, should you still go for the Creta N Line over the regular one? Well, only if you want to. Just don't expect it to roar like the big cats in the N range– more like a purr with a hint of rebellion.

Photography By: Apoorv Choudhary