2022 Hyundai Creta Facelift Unveiled

The Hyundai Creta since it was launched has never failed to impress consumers worldwide and it has been the highest selling SUV that comes from Hyundai. The second generation being launched in 2019 worldwide it is too early for a facelift version where the waiting period of Creta 2020 is still 11 months minimum due to high demand and chip shortage. 

Is chip shortage real or it is just to fool the people around in terms of cost?? Do let us know in the comment section below. 

The First Gen Hyundai Creta 

The Creta went on sale in India on 21 July 2015, produced at the Chennai plant. At launch, the Creta is available in a choice of three engines — 1.6-litre petrol, a 1.4 or a 1.6-litre diesel from the Verna. A 6-speed manual transmission will be standard across all variants, with only the 1.6 diesel SX+ variant getting the option of a 6-speed automatic. The engine options were spread to six trim levels, which are Base, S, S+, SX, SX+ and the top-spec SX (O).
The Creta SX is also offered with dual-tone red and black or white and black exterior colour options. The SX dual-tone variant is powered by 1.6-litre gasoline or a diesel engine without any automatic transmission option.
For select trims, the Creta is equipped including Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hillstart Assist Control (HAC), Rear Parking Assist System, and ABS. The six airbag system provides all-around protection. One for the driver, one for the front seat passenger, front and rear curtain airbags running the length of the cabin, plus front side airbags. Hyundai also claimed the vehicle is built with HIVE body structure, which signifies structural strength.
By November 2015, the vehicle has registered over 70,000 bookings in India and 15,770 worldwide. By August 2017, more than 200,000 Creta was sold in the country.

The Second Gen Hyundai Creta

Hyundai unveiled the second generation Creta in India in February 2020 and was launched to the market in March 2020. The Indian-made Creta (codename: SU2i) is a slightly modified version of the Hyundai ix25 sold in China, with the main visual difference at the exterior being the design of the front grille. While the Chinese ix25 gets mesh-type treatment for the grille, the India-spec Creta gets chromed treatment with vertical and horizontal slats forming rectangular blocks. The interior of the Creta largely differs from the ix25 as the Chinese-spec model comes with a vertical touchscreen infotainment system that flows into the central console, while the Creta opts for a more conventional design.

The Creta for the Indian market is offered with three engine options, 1.5-litre petrol producing 115 PS (85 kW; 113 hp) and develops 144 N⋅m (15 kg⋅m; 106 lb-ft) of torque and a 1.5-litre diesel engine with 115 PS (85 kW; 113 hp) and 250 N⋅m (25 kg⋅m; 184 lb-ft) of torque as well as 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol 140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) and 242 N⋅m (25 kg⋅m; 178 lb-ft) of torque.

The all New Creta 2022 Facelift 

1. Design & Exterior

Hyundai never fails to impress us with the design of its upcoming models and the new sketches of the 2022 Hyundai Creta facelift have left us amazed. Quite apparently, the upcoming Hyundai Creta facelift will take design inspirations to form bigger models in the Korean carmaker’s range, in turn adorning the new design language we saw on the new-generation Hyundai Tucson and Santa Cruz SUVs sold in global markets. That said, the design updates are mostly centred around its face while the profile and rear end look pretty much the same.
The new Creta will continue with the split headlight setup but will feature more rectangular and sharper looking clusters. Then, the grille will be replaced by the new ‘parametric grille’ which we recently saw on the new-gen Hyundai Tucson and in the sketches, it builds upon the angular looks of the Creta, blending quite seamlessly with the front bumper. The grille is also flanked by the new mirror-like daytime running lights (DRLs) which look at one with the grille, is nicely integrated.

2. Engine & Transmission

The engine and transmission options are expected to be the same as the existing models. This includes 2 petrol and 1 diesel engine. The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine provides an output of 114 bhp and 144 Nm of peak torque and comes mated with a 6-speed manual transmission or a CVT as the automatic option. The other petrol unit is the turbocharged 1.4-liter GDi engine which spits out 138 bhp and 242 Nm of peak torque. This engine has only one transmission option which is a 7-speed DCT automatic gearbox. And a diesel engine in the same avatar makes 114 bhp and 250Nm of torque that comes mated with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter.

3. Features & Cabin Interior

The car will get the latest version of the Hyundai BlueLink with added features. More importantly, the Creta facelift will debut ADAS features like blind-spot monitor, adaptive cruise control, cross-traffic collision avoidance assist, emergency brake assist, and lane-keep assist. The engine options will stay the same with a 1.5l petrol with CVT and manual options, a 1.4l turbo with a DCT gearbox while a 1.5l diesel will be there with either a torque converter automatic or a manual. We expect prices to rise from the current generation Creta but the inclusion of new features and a new look will more than justify the price rise. Other features like Bose premium sound, panoramic sunroof, Android Auto, Apple Carplay, ventilated seats will be carried over.

4. Launch

The 2022 Hyundai Creta has been unveiled at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) 2021 which was held from 11th to 15th November 2021. It will first be launched in Indonesia as it is currently made in the same country and will soon make its way to other countries like South Korea and other Asian markets in the first half of 2022. Its India release is planned for the second half of 2022 as it does not want to hinder the dominance of the current model in the country right now.

6. Rivals

The main rival of Hyundai Creta will always be its cousin the Kia Seltos, but there is a new player in town that poses a major threat to both. The MG Astor is loaded to the teeth and technically has better features and safety technology being offered in the same price range. This makes it a sweeter deal but Hyundai has its second-largest network coverage of sales and service to back it up, so the results will be interesting, although, with the current trend, Hyundai has the upper hand. Another set of players are the VW Taigun and Skoda Kushaq cousins. We feel Hyundai has the upper hand when it comes to engine options as it is the only manufacturer to provide a diesel engine in the segment.
We feel the update will only increase the sales of the Creta and there is little to doubt that. Hyundai’s plan to keep the consumers interested is working and we can’t help but fall for it. One thing we would like Creta to improve is the safety factor. Although it has not been crash-tested, the Kia Seltos with the same underpinnings scored a dismal 3-star rating. Hopefully, this is improved on the new Creta that is speculated to come with Level 2 ADAS functions.