Hyundai Exter S Executive Dual CNG

About Hyundai Exter S Executive Dual CNG

Choosing a new car in India is a big decision, isn't it? You're thinking about your budget, of course, but also about safety for your family, how much it will cost to run every month, the latest features that make life easier, and reliable after-sales service from the company. It's a lot to consider! In a market full of options, finding a car that ticks all these boxes can be tricky, especially if you want the best of both worlds: affordability and modern tech. Well, today, we're going to take a deep dive into a car that aims to do just that: the new Hyundai Exter S Executive Dual CNG. This micro SUV has been making waves, and we'll explore if it's the perfect fit for your garage.

Main Highlights

Engine Specifications

• Engine Type: 1.2 Litre Kappa Petrol with Bi-fuel CNG option
• Cylinders: 4-cylinder
• Maximum Power (CNG Mode): Approximately 69 PS (67.7 bhp) at 6000 rpm
• Maximum Torque (CNG Mode): Approximately 95.2 Nm at 4000 rpm
• Transmission: 5-speed Manual
• Fuel Efficiency (CNG): Impressive mileage, often quoted around 27.1 km/kg (ARAI certified, may vary with driving conditions).

Design Overview

The Hyundai Exter stands out with its bold, SUV-like presence despite its compact footprint. It's a car that certainly grabs attention on Indian roads.

• Exterior Design:
  • Rugged Appeal: Square-ish design with chunky body cladding gives it a tough, micro-SUV stance.
  • Signature Lighting: Features distinctive H-signature LED DRLs (Daytime Running Lights) and projector headlamps, offering a unique front fascia.
  • Parametric Design Elements: Inspired by Hyundai's global design language, you'll find intricate parametric patterns on the grille and other parts.
  • Roof Rails: Adds to the SUV look and offers practicality.
  • Stylish Wheels: The S Executive variant comes with steel wheels with covers that mimic alloy wheels effectively.
• Interior Design:
  • Spacious and Modern: Despite its exterior dimensions, the cabin feels surprisingly roomy, especially at the front.
  • Dual-Tone Theme: A common dual-tone interior theme (e.g., black and grey) enhances the sense of space and modernity.
  • Digital Instrument Cluster: A fully digital instrument cluster provides a modern and clear display of essential driving information.
  • Comfortable Seating: Seats are designed for comfort, making both city commutes and longer journeys pleasant.
  • Practical Storage: Numerous cubbyholes and storage spaces add to the cabin's practicality.

Key Features

The Exter S Executive Dual CNG comes packed with useful features, making it a value-for-money proposition:

• Infotainment System: 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
• Smartphone Connectivity: Supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for seamless smartphone integration.
• Voice Commands: Convenient voice recognition for various functions.
• Digital Cluster with Multi Information Display (MID): Provides a host of driving data.
• Rear AC Vents: Ensures comfortable cooling for rear passengers, a big plus in India's climate.
• Power Windows: All four power windows for convenience.
• Electrically Adjustable ORVMs: Easy adjustment of outside rearview mirrors.
• USB Type-C Charging Ports: Modern charging solutions for devices.
• Note: Premium features like an electric sunroof, 360-degree camera, and wireless phone charger are generally available in higher variants of the Hyundai Exter line-up, not typically in the S Executive Dual CNG variant.

What is the Ground Clearance of the Hyundai Exter?

The Hyundai Exter boasts a healthy 185 mm of ground clearance, which is excellent for navigating India's often challenging roads, speed breakers, and minor off-road excursions.

What is the Boot Space of the Hyundai Exter Dual CNG?

While the petrol variant offers a generous 391 litres of boot space, the Hyundai Exter Dual CNG, with its innovative twin CNG cylinder setup, still manages to offer usable boot space. While naturally less than the petrol version due to the cylinders, Hyundai has cleverly positioned them to allow for decent luggage capacity, enough for small bags or a weekend trip, which is a significant advantage over single-cylinder CNG cars.

What are the Dimensions of the Hyundai Exter?

• Length: 3815 mm
• Width: 1710 mm
• Height: 1631 mm (with roof rails)
• Wheelbase: 2450 mm

Powertrain Options

The Hyundai Exter offers flexibility to suit different buyer needs:

• 1.2 Litre Kappa Petrol Engine: Available with a 5-speed Manual Transmission (MT) or an Automated Manual Transmission (AMT).
• 1.2 Litre Kappa Petrol with Bi-fuel CNG: Available exclusively with a 5-speed Manual Transmission (MT). This is the focus of our review today.

Safety Features

Hyundai has prioritised safety in the Exter, making it a strong contender in its segment.

• Standard 6 Airbags: A segment-first and a major highlight, offering protection for front occupants, sides, and curtains across all variants.
• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD): Prevents wheel lock-up during hard braking.
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC): Helps maintain vehicle stability during sudden manoeuvres.
• Vehicle Stability Management (VSM): Works with ESC to provide further stability.
• Hill Start Assist Control (HAC): Prevents the car from rolling back on inclines.
• Rear Parking Sensors: Aids in safe parking.
• Rear View Camera: Provides better visibility when reversing.
• ISOFIX Child Seat Mounts: Ensures secure installation of child safety seats.
• Seat Belt Reminder: For all occupants.

NCAP Rating Table

The Hyundai Exter has shown excellent results in crash safety tests:

Testing Authority	Adult Occupant Protection	Child Occupant Protection
Bharat NCAP	5 Stars	5 Stars
Global NCAP	Not Tested (Bharat NCAP rated)	Not Tested (Bharat NCAP rated)

The Exter achieved a remarkable 5-star rating for both adult and child occupant protection in the Bharat NCAP crash tests, making it one of the safest cars in its segment.

Rivals of Hyundai Exter S Executive Dual CNG

In the competitive micro-SUV and compact hatchback segment with CNG options, the Hyundai Exter S Executive Dual CNG competes with:

• Tata Punch CNG
• Maruti Suzuki Ignis (petrol only, but often cross-shopped)
• Maruti Suzuki Fronx CNG (if considering a slightly higher budget)
• Citroen C3 (petrol only, but similar segment)

How is the Car? (Pros & Cons)

Advantages (Pros)

• Exceptional Safety: Standard 6 airbags across all variants and a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating for both adult and child occupants instill immense confidence. This is a major selling point for families.
• Excellent Fuel Efficiency: The CNG option offers significantly lower running costs, a huge relief for your monthly budget, especially with fluctuating fuel prices.
• Micro SUV Appeal: Its muscular styling, good ground clearance, and commanding driving position make it feel like a bigger vehicle than it is.
• Feature-Rich Cabin: The 8-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, digital cluster, and rear AC vents add a lot of convenience and modern appeal, even in this mid-variant.
• Usable Boot Space with Twin CNG Cylinders: The clever placement of two smaller CNG cylinders allows for more usable boot space compared to traditional single-cylinder CNG setups.
• Reliable Hyundai Service Network: Hyundai's wide and dependable service network across India ensures peace of mind for maintenance and repairs.
• Easy to Drive in City: Compact dimensions, light steering, and good visibility make it a breeze to navigate through urban traffic.

Disadvantages (Cons)

• No Automatic Option for CNG: The CNG variant is only available with a manual transmission, which might deter buyers looking for automatic convenience in city traffic.
• Power Delivery in CNG Mode: While adequate for city driving, the power might feel slightly subdued on highways or during quick overtakes compared to the petrol mode.
• Limited Boot Space Compared to Petrol Variant: Despite the twin-cylinder advantage, the boot space is still noticeably less than the petrol-only Exter, limiting large luggage carrying capacity.
• Missing Premium Features on S Executive: If you're eyeing an electric sunroof, wireless charging, or a 360-degree camera, you'll need to consider higher, more expensive variants.
• Engine Noise: At higher RPMs, the engine can get a bit vocal inside the cabin.

Conclusion

The Hyundai Exter S Executive Dual CNG emerges as a very compelling package for the Indian car buyer. It beautifully balances the critical aspects of car ownership: budget, safety, and modern features. If you're looking for an affordable, fuel-efficient micro-SUV that doesn't compromise on safety (thanks to its 6 airbags and 5-star Bharat NCAP rating) and offers a host of practical features for daily driving, the Exter S Executive Dual CNG is definitely worth a very close look. While it might miss out on an automatic option for CNG and some premium bells and whistles of top variants, its core strengths make it an ideal choice for urban families, first-time car buyers, or anyone seeking a safe, stylish, and economical vehicle with Hyundai's trusted reliability. It's a smart choice that offers a lot of value for your hard-earned money.