Hyundai Exter : In the rapidly changing world of subcompact SUVs, Hyundai has found a niche for a vehicle that we think delivers a great mix of cosmopolitan practicality and off-road allure — the Hyundai Exter.
Catering for the city slicker with a taste for adventure, it is Hyundai’s riposte to rivals such as the Tata Punch and Citroen C3, providing adventurous looks, clever features and lots of value in a 4-metre package or below.
Based on the same platform as the Grand i10 Nios and Aura, the Exeter features a more muscular design and a raised posture enabling SUV-like road presence, without the added cost.
Hyundai Exter Design That Demands Attention
The Exter is attention-grabbing, even head-on. Its masses are given a unique look with a parametric grille, H-shaped LED DRLs and squares headlamp units.
The contrast-color skid plates and two-tone bumpers give it a sporty, off-road capable look even though it is mostly a city-friendly machine.
Blacked-out body cladding and roof rails add flair from the side. Street cred is supplemented by alloy wheels (for the higher trims, that is) and the option of dual-tone colour schemes and a blacked-out roof.
The rear is plain and vertical, its H-motif tail lamps reflecting the design up front.
For a small, square box with rotary encoders, the Exter looks good, mainly due to itssmart design and layout.
Plush and Functional Interior
On the inside, the Exter takes inspiration from Hyundai’s existing interior design language as seen in the Nios. The dash is easy on the eye and high quality finish throughout.
One of the stars of the show is the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, along with a digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and voice controls.
Surprising room in the cabin for a car of its footprint. Front and rear seats have plenty of legroom and headroom for the average adult. Those useful dimensions mean rear passengers won’t feel pinched either; Panamera 3.0 has a wheelbase of 3,460mm.
The boot is another of the class best at 391 litres, so weekends away and trips to the shops are also well and truly sorted.
Engine and Performance
Beneath the bonnet, the Hyundai Exter gets a 1.2L Kappa petrol engine that is the same unit doing duty in the Nios and Aura. It makes 82 bhp and 113.8 Nm of torque and is mated to either a 5-speed manual or an AMT gearbox.
The company-fitted CNG variant also ensures that the car also scores well among value-conscious customers.
The motor is smooth and great for daily use. It’s not trying to be sporty, but it offers a smooth riding experience in the city and is comfortable enough for the occasional highway ride.
The AMT is tuned to work well for calm commutes and while its not lightning-quick, the gearbox does not grab your attention.
Taking advantage of light weight and compact dimensions, fuel economy is quite impressive at around 19-20 km/l from the 1.2-litre petrol and over 27 km/kg from the CNG version in real world driving.
Safety and Features
This isnt to say hey Lets get a Hyundai Its not like the concern has gone away. The Exter comes standard with six airbags across the range – an Australian first at this price. It also gets standard ABS with EBD, ESC, hill start assist, rear camera, TPMS, and ISOFIX mounts.
This heavy-duty kit means city and highway drivers can purchase with confidence.
Extras such as a dual-cam dashcam, sunroof, auto aircon and cruise control in top-spec models do make the Exter feel more premium than its size or segment would suggest.
Pros:
Unique design with a SUV like appearance
Segment firsts in feature-rich cabin
Six airbags are standard in the strong safety package
The CNG version impresses with great fuel efficiency
Roomy boot and decent rear seat comfort
Cons:
AMT gearbox could be smoother
No turbo-petrol or diesel on offer
Bad Not good for performance-oriented buyers
Add interior design in base trims
Ride also turns a bit bouncy on rough roads
Hyundai Exter Final Verdict
HYUNDAI/EXTER Micro SUV The Hyundai Exter is a thoughtful micro SUV that exceeds what is expected in third world friendly micro SUVs especially in areas like safety, design, and practicality.
And while not the most powerful car in the segment, it certainly makes up for that with its smooth and refined drivetrain, long list of features and its city-focused nature. For consumers who want an affordable, compact and fashionable SUV, that won’t be a pinch and will do the job properly, the Exter is a modern and wise choice.
