Hyundai Exter Long Term Review, January 2024 Report

Holy moly, is the Indian consumer becoming ever so demanding! The best of features, lowest possible price, high safety rating and easy on the pocket with its maintenance/day-to-day running. Fortunately for us, manufacturers like Hyundai believe in the ‘offer, and they shall come’ philosophy. So with that in mind, they introduced the all-new Exter. It’s a micro-SUV or compact crossover (whatever floats your boat, it’s all pretty much jargon at this point), which is filled to its teeth with features, gets tried-and-tested powertrain options and has a starting price of just Rs 6.12 lakh (ex-showroom). So, if there was ever a vehicle which needed to stand up to the scrutiny of our long-term tests, it’s this!

When it comes to first impressions, the Hyundai Exter’s design will definitely end up segregating many. While some will absolutely love Hyundai’s design direction, some are already penning angry emails to its design department as we speak. In my opinion, the Exter is the best looking micro-SUV in the market. Where competition like the Tata Punch and Maruti Ignis remind you of a hatchback on stilts, the Hyundai Exter actually manages to look like a shrunken SUV. My favourite aspect of its styling are the H-shaped LED DRLs and tail lamps, funky 15-inch alloy wheels and blacked-out body panels with honeycomb pattern. All these elements definitely go a long way in adding a dash of panache to its aesthetics. Inside, my feature highlights are the sunroof, wireless phone charging, digital instrument cluster and seamless smartphone connectivity. The Hyundai Exter is definitely one of the best-loaded cars and while overall fit-and-finish seem to be of high quality, certain areas do reveal cost-saving measures. For example, the graphics of the 8-inch infotainment system look outdated and not as crisp as its rivals. Another annoyance is the lack of passenger armrests at the front or back, along with the fixed headrests.

The Hyundai Exter also makes a good first impression when it comes to performance. The version we have on test is the 1.2-litre petrol unit, mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. This engine delivers 83bhp and 114Nm of peak torque, and similar performance to other cars which get this engine as an option. The Hyundai Exter tips the weight scales at just under a ton, and is a sprightly performer at slow and highway-speed. Thanks to its low-end grunt and well spaced out gear ratios, I hardly felt the need for an AMT unit in city traffic. Not just that, get the Hyundai Exter up to high triple digit speeds and it remains stable and planted, giving you an added boost of confidence in its abilities. Overall, the Hyundai Exter has definitely managed to impress us in its first month in the garage, be it through design, features or performance.

Also Read: Hyundai Exter vs Tata Punch Comparison Review, Which One is Right for You?