The B-SUV market, one of the most competitive in Malaysia, welcomes a new player today. Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has officially launched the 2023 Hyundai Creta. A CBU import from Indonesia, the Creta facelift is powered by a 1.5 litre naturally aspirated engine and is priced at RM149,888 on the road excluding insurance.
What do you get for the money? Let’s inspect. At 4,315 mm long and 1,790 mm wide, the Creta has a similar sized footprint to the Honda HR-V (which is 70 mm longer), and its 2,610 mm wheelbase matches Honda’s popular benchmark. Having a ‘conventional B-SUV’ size means that the Creta is larger than stablemate Kona, which is more of a Euro-flavoured crossover.
The Creta’s boot is sizeable at 416 litres, which is a fair bit larger than the Proton X50‘s 330L and the Perodua Ativa‘s 380L. With the 60:40 rear seats folded, capacity jumps to 1,384 litres. The wheels are 17-inch items (rare to see a single-tone wheel these days) with 215/60 Kumho Solus rubber and there’s a full-sized steel spare wheel under the boot floor.
The Creta’s design is far from generic, offering something for those who want to be different. The Korean firm currently has two corporate faces in rotation – one is the ‘Staria-style’ with the full-width LED signature and square mouth (also used on sedans), and the other is the Parametric Jewel look as seen on the Tucson SUV and Santa Cruz truck. The Creta wears the latter, with LED daytime running lights that concealed within the grille. The split tail lamps and silver rear pillars are unique.
“The Hyundai Creta targets those who desire individuality, who wish to stand out and break free from the norm. Its Sensuous Sportiness design language endows it with unmistakable presence and style. At the same time, it is equipped with all the technology and convenience features to perfectly complement active daily lifestyles,” said Jeffrey Gan, Sime Darby Motors’ MD of retail and distribution for Malaysia.
Under the hood is a Smartstream G 1.5 litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine with 115 PS and 144 Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm. Torque goes to the front wheels through an Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT, Hyundai’s term for CVT) with steering paddles. There are four selectable drive modes at the driver’s disposal – Eco, Normal, Sport and Smart. 0-100 km/h is done in 12 seconds and top speed is 170 km/h.
There’s just a single spec called Plus, and it comes with goodies such as a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel; an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay and voice recognition; single-zone auto air-con with rear vents; keyless entry and push start; and an electronic parking brake with auto hold.
Safety wise, the Creta comes with six airbags and Hyundai’s SmartSense suite of active safety features. The pack includes Forward and Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Leading Vehicle Departure Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Safe Exit Warning and High Beam Assist. This SUV has five stars in the ASEAN NCAP crash test. There are also two Isofix child seat mounts.
Once again, the 2023 Hyundai Creta is priced at RM149,888, and HSDM is including a free extended warranty package of five years or 300,000 km, as well as three years/50,000 km free service for the first 150 buyers. Colours options include Galaxy Blue Pearl, Titan Grey Metallic, Midnight Black Pearl, Creamy White Pearl and the signature Dragon Red Pearl you see here. What do you think of the Creta’s looks and package?
Will follow the footsteps of the Kona.
In fact, will probably fail even harder than Kona.
Even CHR which carries the Toyota badge was a hard sell.
with AFTA, pricing shud be rm80k only..
I don’t like the price, but I admire the courage of Hyundai sales/ marketing team to price it like this in Malaysia. and the feeling shoot up even more when i see the ‘louya’ interior … hats off to you Hyundai!
150K can buy you a base Ativa ,King Myvi n base Axia.
All brand new.
One for u,wife and college anak.
Make your covidian dollar count.
who in their right mind would buy this
Sime Darby’s sub con.
U kidding,Sime Darby? 150 grand for 115Ps of horsepower?
I can use my 1.5 Myvi ,go car spa,modify sikit ..beat this overpriced SUV flat.
Any price above 100K is just pure FANTASY for this small suv.
Anyway,since it is not EV…it will mainly be at showrooms as demo car.U can bet,one can count more houseflies than walk in buyers.
150k with a TURBO engine, might consider it…
mcm HSDM purposely offering ridiculous price to POTEK P1, P2 & to relli make profit frm “thrifty” buyers
150k with a TURBO engine, might consider it…
it seems HSDM on purpose offer such ridiculous price to POTEK P1 & P2 while making good profit from thrifty” buyers…
those who desire individuality, who wish to stand out and break free from the norm
It’s just a budget car
Hyundai Creta….add Ex to Creta…u get “excreta” oh my ..Hyundai…chose lah another more acceptable name,mah.
How much will Tucson cost when it launches here?
200k??
Another failed Hyundai model because of pricing in Malaysia. It should be priced at the HRV range.
No second hand value pulak.
How do they come up with these prices?
should be priced slightly lower than HRV or little bit more than Proton X50, otherwise sure can’t sale….
Definitely breaking free from the norm with this price.
oh dear……what rubbish..
Priceless
Who are they kidding with this pricing…
WOW just WOW at the ridiculous pricing plus it is imported from Indonesia unlike the Elantra or Sonata etc. all the way from Korea and even those gets you a bigger size engine.
I seriously wonder how they come up with the pricing or they assume Malaysian are so rich since previous article mentioning “Creta sells for between 291.3 and 408.3 million rupiah (about RM86k and RM120k) in Indonesia, while in Thailand it is listed from 949k to 999k baht (about RM122k to RM129k)”.
Very forceful launch. Likely under pressure by Hyundai Korea.
I guess being a CBU import is jacking up prices but I just cannot see how this is expected to sell when the segment default, the HR-V basically trumps this in every objective criteria in both price and value. Sounds like the Kia Seltos all over again.
Godness me that price and that engine choice!!
Really, where did they get that name? From the Malay word ‘kereta’? Or an abbreviation of ex-creta? Think they need to try harder to get a catchy name
It’s named after the greek island of crete.
Sometimes i wonder how they hired these hyundai sime darby management team.
Makan kuih and gaji buta mentality folks.
Might as well dont launch if doesnt make sense with the price..But what do i know about business i guess
Dunno how many Miracle that CRETA can create ?
Let say sell 1 car = 1 Miracle ……..
Consumer not stupid , they will choose same segment among of this.
CRETA pricing how to amaze X50, HRV , CHR, CX30 ?? DOUBT if some 1 buy this.
Marketing strategy team really no study market, can fire them all already.
sime darby mabuk gila
well if u see the hyundai creta price maybe seems to be very shock a same thing here in indonesia when we see the price for kia sportage and citroen c5 aircross both are c segment suv but their price almost as premium as mercedes benz glc here so that was the pricing strategy call different country different pricing and also different units sold in every country
crazy price
i hope this wont give this crazy idea to toyota n honda to jackup the all new innova & crv price to rm200k
It’s a 3 letters car…DOA
Buy toyota cross gr better.
They are not serious in selling this thing.
Good luck rm150k lulz..I rather buy current CRV…
Or even CX5. How can it be priced above Kona with 2 liter engine?
Hyundai – Time to exit Malaysia.
Dead on arrival. Good luck..
Might be rarer than a lamborghini…
Which psychopath would buy this?
Maybe sime Darby shld consider selling it at harga Mardani for those interested in tis car.
Chery Omado 5 will eat this for breakfast….. RIP Hyundai in Malaysia…
Too expensive, too slow and too boring. Turbo at least Hayundei.
“there’s a full-sized steel spare wheel under the boot floor.”
That’s completely obsolent. The new Vios has a tyre repair kit instead.
what a complete nonsense pricing. maybe only their dealer will drive… haha
looks like something from Ssang Yong in the 90s….
As I am a Korean staying in Malaysia, I’d rather go for Proton X50/X70 or Honda HRV rather than a manufacturer from my home country, since pricing Ativa size car like this. What a shameful pricing. Even Pelisade which is popular SUV in Korea is almost double price in Malaysia than South Korea.
Mr.Low Yuan Lung of Hyundai Sime Darby ..hello…take note what Mr.Kimchi is saying.
Seems the pricing has been “Rolls Royce” upmarket pricing for a biasa je underpower NA 1.5 suv.
Car price is mainly affected by Gov policy & low. And also volume, market, competitors, tax and so many. In Korea, government doesn’t approve car price. But here it is. This is suitable for growing and protacting own car maker in the past. (But actually in the consequnce, it disturbed to reach world standard quility).
So Sime-Darby could sell it around HR-V price, but can’t sell it with Ativa price. Because goverment never approve that price.
If one comapny increase some segment car price. Then other follow increase that segment cars. The car price is high standardized. Then the government wouldn’t approve the price below after that. This is win-win for companies and goverment.
So without free competition for car price, you can’t buy Huydai and Kia cars in Proton’s and Perodua’s. And you must know that these 2Ps are not national car manufacturers.
If this Creta is manufactured and sold in Korea, I might understand the price but this is made in Indonesia which is one of Asean country and not even sold in Korea.
160k ! that’s a smart move Hyundai to push sales to Honda… Well done Hyundai, I hardly see one newly register Hyundai nowadays Why?
Honda. The Power of Dream.
Hyundai. The Power of Sime Darby.
Better buy subaru XV GT edition….. Better at everywhere compared to creta which ever way you look at it…
What kind of price is this? It makes 0 sense
After 5 years…resale value 20-30 grand.Thats the stark reality.
Omg! Sooo ugly, tak da power, blardy expensive pulak… How to sell and who wants to buy lah
Guaranteed fail
Let’s walk up to creta owner if you see any on the road, just greet them, “nice ride, good choice sir”
*secretly laughing inside hahaha
but seriously, why this price tho? this should be priced around ativa price,given the spec.
That price I will rather get the Corolla cross hybrid. More valuable if want to sell
VW golf R line: Bro, you are not alone…come join me syiok sendiri launch & then exit showroom in less than a year!
btw why does vw golf discontinue ckd in malaysia i thought many young rich people will spend their cash for the golf
Cx-30 looks so cheap now…lol…what Sime Darby is smoking?
When people hope stargazer or verna[aka] old accent to come malaysia with competitive price, but now this funny price…
Just wait Xpander facelift arrive and go that one better.
Those higher management don’t know what rakyat want.
HAHAHAHAHAHA
Hahaha jilake punya harga
Dude, with that price you can get 2 Activas, one for you and another for your wife. Screw SimeD for being unreasonable with the K-brand pricing. I am driving X-Trail so my advice is neutral.
Many still don’t understand the difference between CKD and CBU and why the price. Too bad they are not making it CKD. How I wish the 2024 Kona can be a CKD model here selling with competitive price. With the design and the quality of Korean car, it should sell well again.
First of all, buyers look at the final price tag. If you’re gonna launch it here at this price because it is CBU then why bother to launch here at all?
Secondly, this is CBU INDONESIA, not Korea. This is almost same price as a Mazda3 2.0 that is CBU from JAPAN.
No matter how one spins it, SD still can’t justify the price.
Well, not sure what is the strategy for SD but it’s consumer choice father all and regardless Indonesia, Korea, Japan, Thailand it’s still CBU and whatever taxes applies.
Hahahaa..hardly see any new hyundai on the road lately.this one however,will never be seen at all…
hardly to see the creta in malaysia and hardly to see volkswagen t cross in indonesia just because of the crazy price of that cars here in the country
This is why GLCs must not sell cars, because not that they can’t compete, but they simply don’t compete.
Too expensive for a none national brand. Should match honda hrv pricing. Should be better pricing strategy and make use of AFTA incentives.
Upon further inspection at Hyundai cars. Might as well get the Kona.
New CRV which is larger and more powerful, starting rm160k, coming in Q3 this year. Whoever pened the hire purchase agreement on this joke, sure will regret for the rest of their life.
Superbly ugly design inside and out. Does not look like a Hyundai at all. Plus the lousy powertrain choice with 150k price tag whoever came up with this idea and those who approved it should be banned from automotive industry.
Dunia MarChowHigh specs for DewCow LandChart HIGH PRICE? PODAHPUNDAH lah!
Very disappointing product
They really think Malaysian are water fishes.. how is that specs even passed through for this kind of pricing?
An overpriced SUV due to 75% excise duty. Engine lacks power. At 150K, i would rather buy BYD atto 3 anytime as EV cars are exempted from duty in malaysia. You pay for the true value of the car