2023 Hyundai Creta 1.5 PLUS Review

In Malaysia's C-segment SUV market, household needs have always dominated—consumers want enough space to travel with their families, hope for configurations that keep pace with the intelligent era, and at the same time, expect prices to remain affordable. The 2023 Hyundai Creta 1.5 PLUS targets this demand. With a price tag of RM149,888, it offers a package of comprehensive intelligent safety configurations and comfort features such as electric seats. In this test drive, we'll see if it can truly become the "all-round choice" for family users.

From the exterior, the design of the Creta 1.5 PLUS is not overly aggressive but has enough recognition. The front face adopts Hyundai's family-style layered design, with the upper grille connected to the LED headlights on both sides by chrome strips. The lower grille features a honeycomb shape and is paired with black decorative pieces in the front fog light area, making the overall look simple and stylish. The side profile of the vehicle is smooth, with 17-inch wheels that match its positioning. The LED taillights at the rear adopt a through-type design, providing a clear visual effect when lit. The silver skid plate at the bottom of the rear bumper adds a touch of SUV toughness. In terms of lighting systems, LED headlamps, daytime running lights, and automatic headlamps are standard, making daily use quite convenient.

Sitting inside, the interior style leans more towards practicality. The center console is covered with soft materials and accented with silver trims, providing a moderate sense of quality in its price range. The 10.25-inch central touchscreen is the visual centerpiece, featuring smooth operation and supporting basic multimedia and Bluetooth connectivity functions. The adjacent digital instrument cluster offers clear displays, showing information like speed and fuel consumption at a glance. There are quite a few configuration highlights: the HUD head-up display reduces the frequency of looking down at the instrument cluster, convenient for driving; the front seats support electric adjustment, enabling both the driver and front passenger to find a comfortable seating position. The rear seats are split 60:40 and can be folded down for good flexibility. In terms of storage space, the door storage slots and the central armrest box have sufficient capacity, and the front row comes equipped with a 220V power outlet, making charging electronic devices very convenient.

Space management meets the expectations of a C-segment SUV. The vehicle's length, width, and height are 4,315mm, 1,790mm, and 1,630mm, respectively, with a wheelbase of 2,610mm. For rear passengers with a height of 175cm, there is about two fists' worth of space between their knees and the front seats, and there’s adequate headroom as well. The trunk offers 416L of storage capacity, which is sufficient for a few suitcases on a daily basis. Folding down the rear seats further enhances the loading capacity, making it suitable for family road trips. Rear-seat air conditioning vents and USB ports are also standard, catering to rear passengers' comfort needs.

In terms of performance, the Creta 1.5 PLUS is powered by a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine delivering a maximum horsepower of 115PS, with maximum torque output at 4,500rpm, paired with a CVT gearbox. In actual driving conditions, the start is not particularly fast, but the smoothness is commendable, making it suitable for urban commutes. During acceleration, the power output is linear, and as long as the throttle is pressed deeply at medium and low speeds, the transmission adjusts the gear ratio in a timely manner, making the overall performance adequate. There are three driving modes to choose from: Eco, Normal, and Sport. In Sport mode, the throttle response becomes more responsive, but being a naturally aspirated engine, the power reserve is not particularly abundant.

In terms of handling, the steering wheel has moderate weight and minimal slack, making it convenient for daily driving. The front suspension is a MacPherson independent suspension, which can filter out most small vibrations when dealing with speed bumps and bumpy roads in the city, ensuring rear passengers don't feel too much bumpiness. During cornering, the body roll is kept within a reasonable range, providing good stability. The fuel consumption performance is average, with urban conditions consuming about 7-8L per 100 kilometers, while on highways it drops to around 6L, meeting family users' expectations for fuel economy.

Safety features are a significant advantage of the Creta 1.5 PLUS, which comes standard with 6 airbags (including front and rear curtain airbags), blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and forward collision warning. These configurations are uncommon in cars of the same price range and provide more safety assurance for driving. In terms of noise control, wind and tire noise during high-speed driving are present but not particularly pronounced, so they won't affect everyday comfort.

Overall, the key highlight of the 2023 Hyundai Creta 1.5 PLUS is its "balance": ample space, rich features (especially in terms of safety and comfort), smooth driving, and competitive pricing in its class. Compared to peers like the Honda HR-V or Toyota Corolla Cross, its safety features are more comprehensive, and features such as electric seats and HUD are more appealing. This car is suitable for users prioritizing family practicality, safety configurations, and comfort. It can meet the needs of both daily commuting and weekend family trips. If you're looking for a family SUV with no obvious drawbacks, the Creta 1.5 PLUS is worth considering.