Creta apa ni? Hyundai Creta, bro. Reader JJ Chang spotted this unfamiliar SUV on our roads and while he did not disclose the location, the background looks like Tanjung Tokong. Thais holidaying in Penang like the Shinawatras? Nope, the car has Malaysian number plates.
We contacted Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) but the distributor declined to comment on the Creta. It’s safe to assume then that HSDM does indeed have plans for this B-segment SUV, although we’re not sure if it will culminate in market introduction.
Pricing is always an issue when it comes to non-national mass market brands introducing new products here. It’s hard to match modern day Perodua in content and equipment when you have higher cost and lower volume. But at least the Creta is made in Indonesia (since January 2022), and can be brought in via AFTA, ASEAN’s free trade area rules with lower duty. The HMMI-made Creta has since been launched in Thailand.
The Creta is Hyundai’s B-segment crossover for emerging markets, based on the Kia Seltos and positioned below the more compact European-flavoured Kona in the lineup. This is the facelifted second-generation model, sporting a full-width Parametric Jewel grille like the latest Tucson. This means the LED daytime running lights are neatly hidden within the grille, with the main LED headlights sitting independently on the bumper.
On the sides, you’ll find prominent fender creases, plus a silver roof and C-pillar trim that creates a “floating roof” effect without the roof being in another colour. Those split triangular taillights are very distinct, weird even. The car you see here has its Hyundai and Creta rear badging taped up, which is strange as the front logo is naked.
Looks a bit like the Perodua Ativa from certain angles? At 4,315 mm long and 1,790 mm wide, the Creta is 250 mm longer and 80 mm wider than the Perodua, which means it’s a fair bit larger. The 2,610 mm wheelbase is 85 mm longer than the Ativa’s. The Creta’s dash has a waterfall-style design, like on the Tucson and Santa Cruz. It’s rendered in a nice two-tone in this unit, which also has light-coloured seats.
Thai-spec cars get an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital instrument display, Qi wireless charger, automatic air con with rear vents and a comprehensive safety package. The latter includes six airbags and Hyundai’s SmartSense driver assist suite including door opening warning. The higher of the two specs (SEL) adds on LED and ambient interior lighting plus a panoramic sunroof.
Under the Creta’s hood is a 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated engine producing 115 PS at 6,300 rpm and 144 Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm. Power goes to the front wheels via an Intelligent Variable Transmission (iVT), Hyundai name for CVT. In India and Indonesia, the SUV also comes with a six-speed manual gearbox.
The Creta is priced from 949,000 baht to 999,000 baht in Thailand, which translates to RM115,749 to RM121,848. What do you think of the Hyundai Creta at those prices? For reference, the base 1.5L NA Honda HR-V is priced at RM114,800, and the range goes all the way to RM140,800 for the RS e:HEV hybrid.
GALLERY: 2022 Hyundai Creta facelift, Indonesia spec
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honestly, why not? while looks are subjective, we should all welcome options when it comes to cars because exclusively seeing perodua, proton, toyota and honda all the time gets pretty boring ngl.
Konpem sell here below 55k
Hyundai Accent 1.5L replacement model?
It has a chance here as long as it’s not priced above the HRV and comes with similar spec. Is that a Tesla parked behind it?
Although I wish for Tucson instead of this, but this Creta sure will be a seller if the price is below Kona base model with 2.0l engine. Maybe HSDM will price it below than Kona at subs RM125k since base Kona was sold at that price? Mazda CX-3 1.5 sold at RM109k but it was bare-bone spec. Maybe it will price at these range just like cx-3 base spec?
Hyundai have the ioniq line and the N vision. What is this abomination?
2nd last paragraph – you mean 1.5 litres, right? If it’s built in Indonesia it’ll probably still be on the same 1.5L Smartstream engine.
Would be interesting if they brought in the turbocharged 1.4L Kappa here but that’s probably unlikely.
Hope HSDM bring in 1.5 CRDi engine model.
Makes me wonder why diesel family cars are a rare species in Malaysia.
i dont think they should sell it. Both interior and exterior looks dated.
when this cars launch in indonesia first time my question is why hyundai not CKD the kona instead of this hyundai creta i mean the hyundai creta looks like for indian and chinese market models while the kona looks global design and also up to date looks
China market is the world most competitive market with latest models. your ‘china market’ is 1980 not 2022.
I prefer kia seltos. Will not buy hyundai bad customer service… Never reply my emails
i hopes hyundai in malaysia can give a better customer service in the next view year and i hopes hyundai in my country indonesia will have a good customer service so it will not disappoint many customer who already trust on hyundai brand here
this car wont make it here. it looks too b40. please hsdm forget about it. better go the volkswagen/vpcm route, focus on selling premium only.
Creta Name 1st use and launched @ India,
This Creta, now imported from Indonesia,
At Korea – they are not selling the Hyundai Creta.
Thanks to Tun M – Bapa Automotif Indonesia .
Why Creta? What does Creta mean? You place “Ex…..” and you get a bit too pleasant name. Notwithstanding, the car looks good especially the rear.
Ongtk
The rear has to look good mah,cos Ex(creta) ooozing out.
Make no mistake, Kia under Bermaz ,will easily overtake this GLC in a couple of months.
Other than the EVs,HSDM is a sunset distributor.It cant rise above covidian times.Look at P1 and 2..they r gaining much needed traction in terms of sales.
pity hyundai, copy design like xpander, lousy korean car. Japan car always no.1
but japan cars is always stuck in their old cars design see chinese cars they copy from european design looks better and more worth to buy that’s what the korean did right now so the things is move on from old style design and keep in progress
Makes me wonder why diesel family cars are a rare species in Malaysia.