Hyundai Creta facelift: What to expect?

We take a look at some changes that the new Hyundai Creta will bring with it. 

Launched in 2015, the Creta has proved to be a runaway success for Hyundai. The SUV has consistently managed to find around 9,000 new homes almost every month. Not only is Creta the best-seller of its own segment, but it also outsells its own better value-for-money cousin, the Verna.

Now for 2018, the Creta will be getting its first ever facelift in India. While the changes to the new model aren’t major, they’re enough to inject some freshness into the SUV to strengthen its position in the market further. Unofficial bookings for the Creta facelift are already underway. If you plan to buy one, here is what to expect from the 2018 Creta.

Subtle aesthetic changes

The facelifted Creta was globally revealed last year and is already on sale in some overseas markets. The India-spec model should not be much different from the global version.

Therefore, the most prominent change you’ll notice on the 2018 Creta is the new grille, which is now longer and resembles the previous-gen Santa Fe to some extent. Hyundai’s latest cascading effect is very much present, which is highlighted by the chrome border surrounding the grille. Additionally, both the bumpers have been tweaked as well. The interiors may also feature minor changes like updated colours and new upholstery.

Added premium equipment

With this update, the top-end SX(O) variants of the Creta are expected to gain new luxurious features like an electric sunroof, wireless charging pad for smartphones, powered driver’s seat adjustment and a new smart key band. The sunroof will also be standard on automatic transmission SX+ variants along with leather-wrapped steering and gear knob, since SX(O) will only be offered with manual transmissions.  

Will the automatic be better VFM?

Our sources have confirmed that with all the added equipment on the top-spec SX(O), the price of these variants will go north by up to ₹1 lakh for both petrol and diesel models. Now, it is an open secret that the Creta is not a value-for-money proposition - the present SX(O) diesel costs around ₹16.50 lakh (on-road, Delhi).

Interestingly, the SX+ models won’t see such a steep change in its price because their equipment list will remain more or less the same with the facelift. This is likely to make the SX+ automatic variants more affordable than the SX(O) manual variants, making the Creta automatic a more enticing option for many urban dwellers.

When will it be launched?

Very soon. We’ve heard that the stocks of the outgoing model have almost depleted. Since unofficial bookings for the Creta facelift have already begun, the SUV should launch in India by the end of May 2018.