autoX Awards 2023: Hyundai Exter Performance, Quality and Value for Money Ranked

autoX Awards 2023: Despite the Indian market’s gradual evolution towards bigger cars, the entry-level SUV segment not only continues to thrive but also has a lot of untapped potential. Along with urban areas, this segment also caters to Tier 2 and 3 cities and rural markets where the practicality of an SUV and the value-for-money aspect is very crucial. The Exter has swiftly and successfully penetrated this segment, as is evidenced by its massive demand and ever-increasing waiting lists. Now, there are many reasons for its success. First, I think what really works for the Exter is that its interesting design creates an illusion of grandeur, enhancing its road presence. Second, despite its size, the Exter is an exceptionally practical car, with plenty of room to accommodate four adults in absolute comfort – five can be a bit of a squeeze. Also, the boot offers ample space to accommodate luggage for weekend trips. Third, Hyundai’s reputation and its vast presence in the country have undoubtedly made the Exter available to a wider audience – this also ensures convenient and easy post-sale maintenance of the car at thousands of workshops across the country.

What truly makes the Exter exceptional is the level of standard equipment it offers. In terms of safety, all variants of the Hyundai Exter are equipped with six airbags. Our test car was the top-end variant, which also featured projector headlamps, LED taillights, a sunroof, a multimedia system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Wireless charging, and more. When you consider the Exter’s prices, which range between Rs 6 lakh and Rs 10.15 lakh (ex-showroom), and the equipment and package on offer, it becomes evident that the Exter scored the most in the value-for-money category in this year’s test.

Moreover, the tried-and-tested platform, which the Exter shares with the Grand i10 Nios, coupled with its dependable 1.2-litre engine, further adds to its appeal. Add to this the option of an automatic transmission – with nifty paddle shifters for manual control – and the option of CNG variants, and you have a car with the ability to cater to a very wide audience. With its attractive pricing and decent lap time, given its modest power output, the Exter scored very highly in the overall assessment, making it a worthy winner of one of our ‘Best of 2023’ awards.

Also Read: Hyundai Exter Review: Rocking the Segment

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