Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has officially launched the Hyundai Creta in Malaysia. Offered in a sole Plus variant and we managed to test drive it also

Earlier today, Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) officially launched the Hyundai Creta for the Malaysian market. The Creta compact SUV is only offered in a single Plus variant, which means that it is a feature-packed SUVwhich sits right smack in the very, very competitive B-segment SUV here. The Hyundai Creta is priced at RM149,888, on-the-road before insurance for Peninsular Malaysia. Yes, Hyundai's entry level B segment SUV now costs over RM150k and to help you decide after already noticing that it is very well specced, HSDM are throwing in a free extended warranty of 5 years/300,000 km as well as 3 years/50,000 km free service for our first 150 buyers. Oh, we managed to try it out also as HSDM had a few units for us to jump into on a short test drive around Ara Damansara and the Subang Airport area. So do read on for details on what we think about the car in this launch article.

The Creta is 4,315 mm long, 1,790 mm wide and 1,630 mm tall, with a 2,610 mm wheelbase. It somehow looks small in the photos, but in real life, the Hyundai Creta is slightly larger all-round than the other B-segment Hyundai SUV, the Kona. So what's the difference with the Kona and the Creta? Well, the Creta has been designed for emerging markets like India, Indonesia to name a few, and the Kona is the full monty compact SUV sold in South Korea, Australia and that sort. But you have to say that the Malaysian specced Creta is higher specified than the ones you see in Indonesia as we have all the safety features and a lot more standard equipment than you'll see in a Creta in the region. 

This is because Malaysian buyers like higher specced cars but needs a competitively priced car, so this is why HDSM are bringing in the Creta so that Malaysians can get a well equipped Hyundai at a reasonable price. It's complicated, but we had a short test drive of the Creta and we can report that it is actually refined, has a lot of useful equipment and that 1.5liter FWD chassis is suitable for urban driving. 

“The Hyundai Creta targets those who desire individuality, who wish to stand out and break free from the norm. Its Sensuous Sportiness design language endows it with unmistakable presence and style. At the same time, it is equipped with all the technology and convenience features to perfectly complement active daily lifestyles,” said Sime Darby Motors Managing Director of Retail and Distribution for Malaysia Mr Jeffrey Gan.

“We are very excited to be launching the Creta, another Hyundai that is truly Geared for Distinction in the Malaysian market. The SUV market is showing no signs of slowing, both globally and in Malaysia, and the Creta’s introduction gives Malaysians more choice in the form of a compact SUV that’s fully in tune with the times,” said HSDM Managing Director Mr Low Yuan Lung.

The Hyundai Creta’s Parametric Jewel face features LED daytime running lights that are concealed within the grille, resulting in a look both menacing and full of intrigue. At night, they combine with the bumper-mounted LED projector headlamps to create a stunning and on-trend visual signature. The Creta has that nice Hyundai front end styling and a brave rear end design also. The front egg crate style grille with the LED lights make the car look very modern and the rear is unique with the split rear light clusters. Aping the front and adding a touch more character into something which suprisingly was designed to be a car for emerging markets. Maybe the side profile's simplicity betrays its basic design specification.

Inside, you get a lot of technological features which enhance comfort, convenience and drivability. This includes a 10.25-inch TFT LCD cluster, an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Voice Recognition, auto air-con with rear air-con vents (which is great to have for the rear passengers in our hot and humid weather), keyless entry and start, plus an electronic parking brake with auto hold. You will also notice that it comes with fabric seats, and there is no sign of leather trim except for the steering wheel. Personally, fabric seats are grippy and would help in corners. Of course, those that like the convenience of leather or faux leather seats, it comes sans leather. There are a lot of textured hard plastics which makes the interior better than if it had plain plastic surfaces. That TFT digital cluster does make the Creta feel more premium than it is.

Space is also good, front and rear as at one time there were four of us in the car, two of us were over 176cm and there were two ladies of average height at the rear and there was more than ample leg and knee room for the rear passengers. The Creta is deceiving in terms of it size. It actually is close to what you see in a Honda HRV or even a Hyundai Kona. It may be slightly narrower than a HRV, but feels longer inside. This are just initial thoughts though.

The Creta’s Smartstream G1.5 litre four-cylinder petrol engine sends 115 PS at 6,300 rpm and 144 Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm to the front wheels through a Smartstream Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT), enabling smooth, efficient and immediate progress. No fewer than four selectable drive modes are at the driver’s disposal – Eco, Normal, Sport and Smart – showing the versatility of the Creta’s character.

We drove mostly in Smart mode and it suits most driving styles in and around an urban environment. The throttle response from the CVT gearbox and the engine is good, the steering's weighting is on the light side but allows to to place the Creta well during cornering. The drive is typically Hyundai in which it feels solid and safe at city speeds and at around the usual highway speeds. The suspension seems well damped and suitable for Malaysian roads which has potholes and ruts. And this was a test drive right out of the showroom with 16km on the Creta's clock. It could be better if we had checked the tyre pressure but since it was a launch drive, its actually decent. It comes with 17inch tyres which seem to suit the Creta well in terms of ride comfort and road noise seems decently suppressed for the OEM tyres too. 

In terms of safety, the Creta comes standard with six airbags and a comprehensive Hyundai SmartSense suite of active safety features, including Forward and Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Leading Vehicle Departure Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Safe Exit Warning and High Beam Assist – all of which contribute to its full five-star New Car Assessment Programme for Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN NCAP) safety rating. 

We only managed to test the reverse camera function and the blind spot assist, and it was convenient to have on the Creta. The car is well equipped and vision out of the cabin for the driver is good with no complaints. That blind spot assist is one feature which I like in all new cars and a must to have.

The Hyundai Creta can be ordered in Dragon Red Pearl, Galaxy Blue Pearl, Titan Grey Metallic, Midnight Black Pearl or Creamy White Pearl. Customers may place their bookings at any authorised sales outlet nationwide or on Cl!cktoBuy (https://www.hyundai.com.my/clicktobuy/)

HSDM’s current SUV offerings now comprise, in ascending order of size, the Kona/Kona Electric, Creta, Ioniq 5 and Palisade, and the list is set to grow even further over the coming months.