By Mabuyane Mabuza
Ama2000 will not believe me when I tell them that, during the good old days, the most fiercely contested segment of the car market was the compact hatch, followed by the compact sedan.
Let us leave the 2000s alone because that is now in the past. But about a decade ago, something slowly started shifting. South African consumers began showing more appetite for SUVs. The trend then took another shape: the compact SUV market started growing faster and, as this happened, many car manufacturers brought out more of these models.
And customers could not get enough. In the frenzy, Hyundai also brought out the Creta to stay in the game and compete with the likes of Toyota and VW. That was before the Chinese bonanza we are currently witnessing.
On Friday, we attended the launch of the new-generation Creta.
The Korean carmaker has introduced the Creta 1.5 Premium into this highly competitive compact SUV market, taking the fight directly to the Chinese manufacturers, who have been speccing their vehicles to a tee at competitive prices. Powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine, the new model is priced at R434,900. This isR44,000 less than the outgoing 2024 model, making it a more affordable option for buyers looking for a well-equipped compact SUV.
Hyundai Automotive South Africa CEO Stanley Anderson said the company understands that South African motorists are looking for vehicles that offer good value while fitting into their modern lifestyles.
“In a highly competitive market where customers are looking carefully at how they spend their money, our response is simple: give them more reasons to choose Hyundai. The new Hyundai CRETA is about offering real value without compromising on technology, safety, style or driving enjoyment.”
Safety equipment includes front, thorax and curtain airbags, ABS, electronic stability control, Hill-start Assist Control, ISOFIX child-seat mounting points, parking distance warning, a rear-view monitor and tyre-pressure monitoring. The Creta measures 4,330 mm long, 1,790 mm wide and 1,620 mm high, with 190mm of ground clearance.
The Creta Premium comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, rear combination lamps and electrically folding mirrors. Inside, there is USB charging, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth with voice recognition, automatic headlamp control, a 4.2-inch supervision display, and keyless entry and start.
Hyundai Creta N Line makes its South African debut
For those who still enjoy enthusiastic driving, Hyundai is also adding a sportierversion to the range: the Creta 1.5T N Line with a dual-clutch transmission (DCT).This is the first time the Creta N Line has been offered in South Africa. It is priced atR569,900.
“The Hyundai Creta N Line gives us an opportunity to compete for customers who want a little more driving enjoyment,” said Anderson.
The N Line is powered by a 1,482 cc turbocharged engine that produces 117.5 kW and 253 Nm of torque. Parking is made easier with rear parking sensors and a 360-degree camera. The NLine also comes with a range of driver-assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot detection, lane-departure warning and pre-collision avoidance. Fatigue detection and hill-hold assistance are also standard.
Safety equipment includes driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags, together with ISOFIX mounting points for child seats. Inside, the N Line gets full leather upholstery, wireless smartphone charging and Bluetooth connectivity.
The sportier look is enhanced by a panoramic sunroof, roof rails and 18-inch alloy wheels. LED headlights and daytime running lights are fitted as standard, while automatic headlights and a satin-black grille add to the N Line's distinctive appearance.
Like the Creta Premium, the N Line comes with a seven-year/200,000 km manufacturer's warranty and a four-year/60,000 km service plan, an offering Hyundai has pioneered and been synonymous with for many years.
