Hyundai Exter EX

About Hyundai Exter EX

Choosing a new car in India is always an exciting journey, but it comes with a lot of questions. Am I staying within my budget? Is it safe for my family? What will be the monthly maintenance cost? Does it have all the latest features I want? And most importantly, is the company service reliable?

If these questions are on your mind, then you're in the right place. Today, we are taking a deep dive into the Hyundai Exter EX, Hyundai's latest offering that aims to shake up the competitive micro-SUV segment. Let's find out if this Hyundai compact SUV truly delivers on its promise to be a game-changer for Indian car buyers.

Engine Specifications

The Hyundai Exter comes with a reliable and peppy engine option, perfect for city commutes and occasional highway runs:

• Engine Type: 1.2-litre Kappa Petrol Engine
• Power Output: 83 PS (petrol), 69 PS (CNG)
• Torque Output: 113.8 Nm (petrol), 95.2 Nm (CNG)
• Transmission: 5-speed Manual Transmission (MT) or 5-speed Automated Manual Transmission (AMT)
• Fuel Efficiency (ARAI): Expect around 19.4 to 19.2 kmpl for petrol variants and a commendable 27.1 km/kg for the CNG variant.

Design Overview

The Hyundai Exter truly stands out with its bold and modern design.

Exterior

The Exter makes a strong statement with its rugged SUV appeal. It features a distinctive H-signature LED DRL (Daytime Running Lights) setup, a bold parametric grille, and squared-off wheel arches with black cladding that enhance its SUV character. Roof rails and a skid plate add to its adventurous stance. It's designed to look tough and ready for anything, perfectly fitting the micro SUV segment.

Interior

Step inside, and you are greeted by a modern and practical cabin. The all-black interior theme with subtle accents gives it a premium feel. The layout is clean and user-friendly, with a digital instrument cluster and a floating-type infotainment screen taking center stage. Hyundai has focused on creating a spacious and comfortable environment, with good quality materials for its segment.

Key Features (Across Variants)

Even the base Hyundai Exter EX offers essential features, but as you move up the trim ladder, the Exter truly shines with a host of segment-first and premium features:

• 8-inch Touchscreen Infotainment System
• Connected Car Technology (BlueLink)
• Voice-enabled Electric Sunroof
• Dashcam with Dual Cameras (front and rear)
• Wireless Phone Charging
• Automatic Climate Control
• Footwell Lighting
• 360-degree Camera (for easier parking)
• Digital Instrument Cluster with Multi-Information Display
• Rear AC Vents

Ground Clearance

One of the biggest concerns for Indian roads is ground clearance. The Hyundai Exter ground clearance stands at a healthy 185 mm, which is more than adequate to tackle speed breakers and uneven surfaces without a worry.

Boot Space

For a compact vehicle, the Hyundai Exter boot space is quite generous at 391 litres, offering ample room for your luggage, groceries, or weekend getaway essentials.

Dimensions

The Exter has been designed to be compact yet spacious:

• Length: 3815 mm
• Width: 1710 mm
• Height: 1631 mm
• Wheelbase: 2450 mm

Powertrain Options

Hyundai offers the Exter with versatile powertrain choices to suit different needs:

• 1.2-litre Kappa Petrol Engine: Available with a 5-speed Manual Transmission (MT) or a 5-speed Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) for convenient city driving.
• 1.2-litre Kappa Bi-fuel (Petrol with CNG): Paired with a 5-speed Manual Transmission, offering excellent fuel economy and lower running costs.

Safety Features

Hyundai has placed a strong emphasis on safety with the Exter, making it one of its biggest selling points, especially in the entry-level SUV segment:

• 6 Airbags Standard: This is a segment-first and a significant advantage, providing protection for all occupants.
• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
• Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
• Hill Assist Control (HAC)
• Vehicle Stability Management (VSM)
• Rear Parking Sensors and Camera
• Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS - higher variants)
• ISOFIX child seat mounts

NCAP Rating Table

Prospective buyers often look for official safety ratings. As of now, the Hyundai Exter safety has not been tested by either Global NCAP or Bharat NCAP. Hyundai has prioritized safety with standard 6 airbags, which is a commendable step. We await official crash test results.

Rating Body	Adult Occupant Protection	Child Occupant Protection
Bharat NCAP	Not Rated Yet	Not Rated Yet
Global NCAP	Not Rated Yet	Not Rated Yet

Rivals of Hyundai Exter EX

The Hyundai Exter faces stiff competition in the booming micro-SUV segment. Its main rivals include:

• Tata Punch
• Citroen C3
• Maruti Suzuki Ignis
• Maruti Suzuki Fronx (cross-hatchback)

How is the Car? (Pros & Cons)

Advantages (Pros)

• Segment-leading Safety: Standard 6 airbags across all variants is a huge plus for passenger safety.
• Feature-rich Cabin: Packed with modern features like a dashcam, sunroof, and 360-degree camera (in higher variants), offering great value.
• Stylish and Rugged Design: Stands out with its unique and bold SUV styling.
• Refined Engine: The 1.2-litre petrol engine is smooth, refined, and offers decent performance for city and highway.
• Spacious Interior: Offers good cabin space for its dimensions, especially for rear passengers.
• Practicality: Generous boot space and good ground clearance make it practical for diverse Indian conditions.
• Hyundai Service Network: Extensive service network ensures peace of mind and easy maintenance.

Disadvantages (Cons)

• No Turbo Petrol Option: Enthusiasts might miss a more powerful turbo-petrol engine option for spirited driving.
• AMT Performance: While convenient, the AMT can sometimes feel a bit jerky during gear shifts, a common trait for this transmission type.
• Higher Variant Pricing: While competitive, the top-end variants can feel a bit pricey for the segment.
• Limited Features in Base EX Variant: The base EX variant, while safe, misses out on many desirable convenience features.

Conclusion

The Hyundai Exter enters the hotly contested micro-SUV segment with a strong hand. It ticks many boxes for the modern Indian car buyer: a fresh and appealing design, a refined engine, excellent safety features with standard 6 airbags, and a long list of comfort and convenience features (especially in higher trims). The spacious cabin and respectable boot space further add to its appeal as a practical urban companion.

While the base Hyundai Exter EX offers great value on safety, to truly experience the car's full potential and all its segment-first features, you might want to look at the mid to top-end variants. If you are in the market for a stylish, safe, and feature-packed compact SUV that is easy to drive in the city and has the backing of Hyundai's reliable service, the Exter is definitely a car you should seriously consider. We recommend taking a test drive to experience it firsthand and see if it fits your lifestyle perfectly!