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This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. I drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under real-world South African conditions. Many of the vehicles driven are world cars as well, so what you read here possibly applies to the models you get where you live.

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This is a launch report. In other words, it's simply a new model announcement. The driving experience was limited to a short drive over a preselected course. We can therefore not tell you what it will be like to live with over an extended period, how economical it is, or how reliable it will be. A very brief first impression is all we can give you until such time as we get a test unit for trial. Thank you for understanding.

Rebooted: 2021 Hyundai Creta

Also known as Hyundai iX25

Instantly noticeable

Posted: December 3, 2020

The numbers
Prices range from R374 900 to R484 900
Engine details, economy and performance: See text
Turning circle: 10.6 metres
Ground clearance: 190 mm
Luggage: 433 – 1401 litres
Standard tyre sizes: 205/65R16, 215/60R17
Spares: Full size alloy
Towing capacities, unbraked and braked: 550 kg and 1100 kg
Warranty: 5 years, 150 000 km with additional 2 years and 50 000 km on drivetrain
Roadside assistance: 7 years, 150 000 km

When a manufacturer describes its latest offering as “ALL-NEW!” it’s usually a light lip and nose job with, perhaps, a new touchscreen. But this time there is actually some significant new content. 

Let’s look at it: The previous Hyundai Creta range consisted of three models based on one spec’ level with two 1600 cc engines, petrol and diesel, a six-speed manual gearbox and a six-speed automatic.

Both boxes are carried over to the new line-up but that’s about it. Creta for 2021 boasts three brand-new engines, two new gearboxes, a new “entry-level” spec’ option, disc brakes for the back wheels, more safety equipment, a slight increase in size, 31 litres more luggage space and 40 kg less body mass.

The facelift is instantly noticeable; new split-level lights front and rear, new bumpers, less silver paint, black fender arch trims, black grille and a completely reworked interior. Still recognisable as a Creta, its new look is more subdued, almost formal, neater.

Suspension was another thing carried over from previous models and that’s no hardship. The launch drive took in three stretches of gravel ranging in severity from plain old district road to tyre-shredding small stones and unavoidable potholes. We could hear and feel what was happening but the car remained consistently stable.

The new range consists of:
1.    Creta 1.5 Premium m/t. This has the previous manual gearbox but the engine is new; 1497 cc, 16-valve four-cylinder with multipoint injection, developing 84 kilowatts and 143 Nm. Zero to 100 km/h takes 12.2 seconds, top speed is 170 km/h and average fuel consumption is a claimed 6.5 l/100 km,

2.    Creta 1.5 Executive IVT. Same engine as above and the Intelligent Variable Transmission is also new. It’s a lot more sophisticated than most of us are accustomed to, so we can’t wait to get our hands on a test unit. Acceleration and top speed are as per the manual version while average fuel usage is claimed to be 6.3 l/100 km,

3.    Creta 1.5 diesel Executive automatic with the second carried-over gearbox. Another new engine tweaked for efficiency, it displaces 1493 cc and produces 84 kW with 250 Nm to sprint to 100 km/h in 11.7 seconds and top out at 173 km/h. Combined cycle fuel consumption is given as 5.9 l/100 km,

4.    Creta 1.4 T-GDI Executive with seven-speed DCT. This power plant puts out 103 kW and 242 Nm. Zero to 100 in 9.7, top whack of 185 and combined cycle fuel usage of 7.2 l/100 km. This is what we drove on the familiarisation route along freeways, byways and the gruesome gravel mentioned earlier. The engine spins like a turbine and the dual-clutch gearbox works brilliantly. Santa, you know where we live!

The standard palette comprises seven colours and a couple of two-tone options, black over red or black over white, but only on Executive models. The price premium for these is R5000 with Hyundai listing them as separate models, making six in all, with the 1400 turbopetrol available only in two-tone.

Standard equipment at Premium level includes two airbags; 16” alloy wheels; tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel with remotes; fabric upholstery; cruise control; tyre pressure monitoring; ABS brakes with EBD, ESP and hill start assist; automatic halogen headlights with welcome and follow-me, and a trip computer. Other kit includes an 8” touchscreen infotainment centre with voice control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; rear park assist and camera; manual air conditioner with extra vents for the back seat area and a 3.5” LCD cluster monitoring minor functions.

Executive models have six airbags, 17” alloy wheels, LED lights all around with foglamps in front, artificial leather upholstery, electrochromic rearview mirror, electrically folding wing mirrors, wireless phone charging and roof rails.

Average price increases were kept to around R15 000 that, with all the extra kit, looks reasonable.

Information gathered at a manufacturer-sponsored press event

We met the seven-seat version in 2022



What We Do

This is a one-man show, which means that every car reviewed is given my personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.

Every test car goes through real world driving; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads or goat tracks as well. As a result, my test cars do occasionally get dirty. It's all part of the reviewing process.

I do my best to include relevant information like real life fuel economy or a close mathematical calculation, boot size or luggage space, whether the space is both usable and accessible, whether life-sized people can use the back seat (where that applies), basic specs of the vehicle and performance figures if they are published. In the case of clearly identified launch reports, fuel figures are of necessity the laboratory numbers provided with the release material.

If ever I place an article that doesn't cover most things, it's probably because I have dealt with a very similar vehicle already, so you will be able to find what you want in another report under the same manufacturer's heading in the menu on the left.

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