Formally launched in South Africa, the Hyundai Exter slots into the South Korean automaker’s native portfolio as essentially the most reasonably priced crossover. However does South Africans have cause sufficient to be enthusiastic about it? Charlen Raymond takes a better look.
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Hyundai Exter 1.2 Elite Quick Info
- Value: R334 900
- Engine: 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder, petrol
- Energy: 61 kW @ 6 000 r/min
- Torque: 114 N.m @ 4 000 r/min
- 0-100 km/h: 12.04 seconds
- Prime pace: 165 km/h
- Gears/Drive: 5-speed, FWD
- Service Plan: 3 years/45 000 km
- Guarantee Car: 5 years/150 000 km
- Guarantee Drivetrain: 7 years/200 000 km
Based mostly on the Grandi10 hatchback and sedan, the Exter can also be constructed at Hyundai’s plant in Sriperumbudur, India. The crossover shares the identical platform as its Grandi10 siblings. Solely right here, although, the Exter boasts barely bigger dimensions and a raised trip peak (185 mm). Curiously, regardless of being a tad greater, the crossover’s size (3 815 mm) is similar because the Grandi10 hatch, leading to a 216 L boot.
The road-up contains Premium, Govt, and Elite specs, in guide or AMT (Automated Guide Transmission); each with 5 speeds. The Elite mannequin is out there with the AMT gearbox solely.
With the picturesque Overberg serving because the backdrop for the Exter’s launch, we get behind the wheel of the 1.2 Govt MT mannequin to search out out extra in regards to the new vary.
Exter 1.2 Elite Specification
The Exter shouldn’t be a foul trying automobile. From the entrance, at the least. The straight-up design is in keeping with Hyundai’s crossover portfolio, with the look capped off with bi-function projection headlamps. The facet profile has a cumbersome stance, with the squared-ness enhanced by delicate design cues within the doorways and wheel arches. 15-inch alloy wheels add a pleasant contact, however the rear doesn’t exude the identical styling sense as the remainder of the automobile, trying nearly uncomfortable. The black roof (physique color dependent), roof rails, and LED taillights add to the youthful really feel, however don’t convey the rear in keeping with the remainder of the Exter’s look.
Inside, issues do lookup. Regardless of the exuberant use of exhausting plastics, the cabin is a well-adorned area. The steering wheel is effectively laid out, sometimes Hyundai, and is simple to make use of. The cruise management and quantity controls are inside straightforward attain, together with your thumbs instinctively discovering their strategy to it. Within the Elite mannequin, the local weather management is operated electronically. Throughout the board, the USB and USB-C ports are under the dashboard and the multimedia display screen additionally performs residence to the rearview digicam. Curiously, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are operated by cable; not wirelessly.
A pleasant contact is the digital show in entrance of the driving force. The menus are straightforward to entry, and the shows are clear and uncluttered. As well as, because the engine’s pace will increase, a lighting sequence dances to the throttle inputs. It’s maybe pointless, nevertheless it performs to the Exter’s funky facet. The Elite mannequin additionally boasts a sunroof and cloth-vinyl seats.
By way of the South African color palette, potential consumers can select between Titan Gray, Shadow Gray, Fiery Pink, Moonlight Blue, Cosmic Blue, Atlas White, and Ranger Khaki. The latter three hues, when opted for on the Govt and Elite fashions, include the black roof, successfully making a two-tone color scheme.
On the street
This crossover has rather a lot to shoulder because it goals to offer potential consumers the very best. All of the fashions trip on the identical platform as the remainder of the vary, and make use of Hyundai’s 1.2-litre petrol engine that delivers 61 kW and 114 N.m.
The engine does sufficient to propel the little engine ahead, however there’s a truthful quantity of engine noise because the revolutions enhance. The Exter is inclined to robust winds, too, which might be attributed to its upright stance and 15-inch wheels. Had Hyundai opted for 16-inch wheels on the Govt and Elite fashions, street holding would have been vastly improved. Wind noise is obvious at 100 km/h and above, however doesn’t intrude into the cabin.
Hyundai claims a gasoline return of 5.7 L/100 km for the guide fashions, which is barely higher than the automated fashions’ 5.9 L/100km.
Hyundai Exter Pricing
- Hyundai Exter 1.2 Premium MT – R269 900
- Hyundai Exter 1.2 Premium AMT – R294 900
- Hyundai Exter 1.2 Govt MT – R289 900
- Hyundai Exter 1.2 Govt AMT – R314 900
- Hyundai Exter 1.2 Elite AMT – R334 900
All Exter fashions ship commonplace with Hyundai’s 3-year/45 000 km service plan, and a 5-year/150 000 km automobile and 7-year/200 000 km drivetrain guarantee.
In Abstract
The Exter has an enormous position in enhancing Hyundai’s native portfolio. In taking on from the Venue because the automaker’s most reasonably priced crossover, it should persuade potential consumers of its prowess. The attention-catching worth level will attract shoppers, however how the shopping for public reacts to the overt use of plastic will likely be key. Alternatively, as a result of it’s primarily based on the Grandi10, it should stay as much as expectations. The inside is a well-recognized area and all the pieces is ergonomically well-placed, however does it justify the slight premium over its siblings?
Solely time will inform…
