The refreshed Hyundai Creta & Tucson
Last week we spent some time in the Cape with Hyundai to get to know their refreshed Creta and Tucson models.
The refreshed Hyundai Creta
Since it first launched in early 2017 the Hyundai Creta entered South Africa’s market to offer its customers a light crossover option, and 8079 units have since been sold. Since then, SA’s SUV market has been buzzing with loads of new, competitive vehicles to choose from and so, Hyundai realised the need to give the Creta a refreshed, new look and offering.
More rugged, off-roader looks, as well as higher ground clearance and a host of safety features are just some of what the updated Creta has to offer. Its new wide grille is more eye-catching, and a stylish rising shoulder line and floating roof bring the Creta up to speed in the market. At the back, subtle changes such as a sportier rear bumper give it a more versatile look.
Hyundai Automotive SA has kept the same derivative line-up, engine and gearbox choices, and specification configuration for the Creta range.
All three Creta derivatives are sold with the Executive level of standard features, which includes leather seats, leather-cladding for the steering wheel, multi-function remote controls for the Bluetooth telephone, sound and radio system, and an 8-inch touch-screen display for the infotainment system.
The infotainment system in the Creta also offers an optional satellite navigation feature, which has to be activated with a SD card at a cost of R2 522.
Convenience features in the Creta include air vents for the rear passengers, a rear armrest with cup holders, cruise control and rear park assist sensors and camera that displays its images on the screen of the infotainment system.
The three engine/gearbox combinations used in the Creta range are:
Creta 1.6 Executive Manual – 4-cylinder 1,6-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine with a 6-speed manual gearbox. The engine delivers maximum power of 90 kW at 6 300 r/min., with torque peaking at 150 Nm at 4 850 r/min. Fuel consumption was measured at 7,9 litres/100 km.
Creta 1.6 Executive Automatic – The same petrol engine as above, but coupled with a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The fuel consumption measured for this derivative is 8,4 litres/100 km.
Creta 1.6 Executive Turbodiesel Automatic – This derivative uses a 1,6-litre turbocharged diesel engine, together with a 6-speed automatic gearbox. Maximum power delivery is 94 kW at 4 000 r/min., and its torque peak of 260 Nm is reached at 2 750 r/min. It has recorded a fuel consumption figure of 7,4 litres/100 km in a real-world, combine test cycle.
The Creta’s exceptional ride quality and outstanding road holding are achieved by a McPherson strut front suspension with gas dampers. An increased caster angle delivers a more stable, smoother high-speed travel.
At the rear, revised geometries of the dampers used with the coupled torsion beam axle have delivered an increase lever ratio that generates gentle understeer for better cornering performance.
The Creta comes in 5 colours: Polar White, Fiery Red, Sleek Silver, Marina Blue and Star Dust.
The Tucson’s colour range includes Black, Platinum Silver, Gemstone Red, Aqua Blue, Dusk Blue and Pepper Grey.
Changes to the Tucson range
The new Tucson range in South Africa features seven derivatives, with a choice between three engines – a naturally aspirated 2-litre petrol engine; a turbocharged 1,6-litre petrol engine; and a 2-litre turbocharged diesel – and three specification levels. All derivatives all front-wheel driven.
The facelift version of the third-generation Tucson - of which 13 591 units have been sold in South Africa since its launch in 2016 – is available in 3 specification levels:
Premium, for the entry-level derivatives, including cruise control, the infotainment system with a 7-inch touch screen, LED daytime running lights and driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags. The 4-cylinder, 2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, delivering 115 kW and 196 Nm maximum torque, is used for the Premium derivatives, in combination with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic gearbox.
Executive, with, inter alia, added standard features such as an Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) and Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), leather seats, Blind Spot Detection for side mirrors, Cross Traffic Alert detectors at the rear, electric seat adjustment for the driver and a full auto air conditioner with climate control. An Executive derivative with the 2-litre petrol engine, delivering power through a 6-speed auto gearbox, is a new addition to the range, as well as the Tucson R2.0 Executive with a 131 kW, 400 Nm 2-litre turbodiesel engine and new 8-speed automatic gearbox.
Elite, with top-of-the-range added standard features such as a panoramic sun roof, electric seat adjustment for the front passenger as well, a push-button to start the engine and keyless entry. The Elite derivatives also include the Blind Spot Detection and Cross Traffic Alert safety features. Another standard feature is the extra USB port in the rear, delivering additional power to recharge the devices on-board if needed.
Engines used in the Elite derivatives are the 2-litre petrol; the 2-litre turbodiesel; and a 130 kW, 265 Nm turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine which is coupled with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Hyundai’s new in-house developed 7DCT transmission is a state-of-the-art gearbox. Compared with an automatic transmission, it enhances fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and performance while maintaining its high shifting quality.