In a rapidly growing and ever-evolving Indian automotive market, compact SUVs have carved out a significant space for themselves. They offer the practicality of a hatchback, the presence of an SUV, and the efficiency Indian consumers love. Hyundai, one of India’s leading car manufacturers, has tapped into this segment with its latest entrant – the Hyundai Exter.
Launched to target young, urban buyers, the Exter is a compact SUV that combines bold styling, advanced technology, safety features, and value-for-money pricing. Let’s dive into what makes the Hyundai Exter stand out in a sea of sub-4-metre SUVs.
Bold and Youthful Design
Hyundai has taken a bold approach to designing the Exter. It looks fresh, modern, and distinctly SUV-like despite its compact footprint. The Exter carries Hyundai’s “Sensuous Sportiness” design language with a more rugged twist.
Up front, the Exter sports a unique parametric grille flanked by H-shaped LED DRLs, giving it a futuristic and distinctive identity. The squared-off wheel arches, side cladding, and roof rails add to its SUV appeal. The rear continues the theme with H-shaped tail lamps and a clean design that’s both stylish and functional.
What makes the Exter truly appealing is its youthful character. Offered in vibrant color options, including dual-tone variants and funky exterior accents, the Exter clearly targets the younger demographic.
Compact Yet Spacious
While the Exter sits in the sub-4m category, Hyundai has managed to maximize interior space cleverly. With a wheelbase of 2,450 mm, the Exter offers decent legroom and headroom for both front and rear passengers. The tall stance also makes ingress and egress easy, especially for elders or people with mobility issues.
The boot space stands at a practical 391 liters, which is more than sufficient for weekend getaways or shopping trips.
The cabin is modern and ergonomically laid out. Hyundai has paid attention to the details – from the quality of materials used to the clever storage spaces all around the cabin.
Feature-Rich Interior
One of Hyundai’s biggest strengths in recent years has been its focus on features, and the Exter is no different. It offers a segment-first 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a digital instrument cluster, automatic climate control, voice commands, rear AC vents, a sunroof (yes, in a compact SUV), and even a dashcam with dual cameras in the top variants.
Hyundai’s BlueLink connected car technology also makes its way to the Exter, allowing features like remote engine start, door lock/unlock, live vehicle tracking, and more – all accessible via a smartphone app.
It’s clear that Hyundai wants to give buyers a feeling of premium ownership without burning a hole in their pocket.
Powertrain Options
The Exter is offered with a tried-and-tested 1.2-litre Kappa petrol engine that produces 83 PS of power and 113.8 Nm of torque. It is available with both a 5-speed manual gearbox and a 5-speed AMT (automated manual transmission). This engine is known for its smooth performance and fuel efficiency – something budget-conscious buyers will appreciate.
Additionally, Hyundai also offers the Exter with a factory-fitted CNG option, making it an even more economical choice for daily commuters. In the CNG variant, the engine delivers 69 PS of power, which is adequate for city driving needs.
Mileage figures are impressive: over 19 km/l for petrol and around 27 km/kg for CNG, making the Exter a very wallet-friendly vehicle in the long run.
Safety First
Hyundai has prioritized safety in the Exter, equipping it with 6 airbags as standard across all variants – a move that sets a benchmark in this segment. It also comes with ABS with EBD, ESC, hill-start assist, vehicle stability management, rear parking sensors and camera, and ISOFIX child seat mounts.
With increasing awareness about road safety in India, the Exter’s robust safety package is a major plus point for families.
Pricing and Variants
Hyundai has priced the Exter competitively, starting from around ₹6 lakh (ex-showroom) and going up to around ₹10 lakh for the top-spec variants. With multiple trims (EX, S, SX, SX(O), and SX(O) Connect), there’s an Exter for every budget and need.
Whether you’re a first-time buyer, a young professional, or a family looking for an affordable yet feature-loaded second car, the Exter delivers strong value.
Conclusion: The Urban SUV That Ticks All Boxes
The Hyundai Exter brings a refreshing proposition to the compact SUV segment. With its modern design, strong feature list, reliable engine options, and unbeatable safety features, it’s tailor-made for India’s urban jungle.
It may be Hyundai’s smallest SUV, but it delivers big on practicality, style, and value. For those seeking a fun-to-drive, tech-savvy, and safe urban commuter that doesn’t compromise on the SUV experience, the Hyundai Exter is a top contender.
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