Hyundai Creta 2023 Review

The C-Segment SUV market in recent years has remained popular locally. Consumers want practicality in space, refuse to compromise on configurations, and need to balance economic efficiency for daily commuting — the 2023 Hyundai Creta 1.5 PLUS is aimed precisely at meeting these needs. As a mid-to-high-end variant of the Creta series, it is packed with premium features like 6 airbags, HUD head-up display, electrically adjustable front and rear seats, while keeping the price at RM 149,888, making it highly cost-effective. In this review, let's see if its static experience feels solid and if its performance can meet the daily needs of family users.

At first glance, the Creta 1.5 PLUS has a youthful design without being overly flashy, making it a timeless design. The front features a large honeycomb-style grille, complemented by sharp LED headlights on both sides. The light clusters are connected to the chrome trim along the upper edge of the grille, giving it a wider appearance and decent recognizability. The side profile boasts clean lines, with a character line extending from the hood to the rear that adds some detail without being overly aggressive, preventing the side from looking too plain. The 17-inch multi-spoke wheels have a conventional design, well-balanced with the body proportions. The rear design focuses on the taillights, with L-shaped LED strips that are striking when illuminated at night. A silver skid plate below the rear bumper adds a touch of rugged SUV charm. The standard LED headlights, daytime running lights, and front fog lights across the range ensure practicality and safety for everyday use.

Inside, the interior layout is clear and straightforward, with the center console angled towards the driver for easy operation. The 10.25-inch touchscreen center display has decent resolution and responsive performance, complemented by a fully digital instrument cluster, which is impressive considering its price range. In terms of materials, the top of the center console is wrapped in soft materials, and the door panels are covered with leather-like materials, giving it a quality feel. Features are where the Creta 1.5 PLUS truly excels: the HUD head-up display can directly show speed and navigation information, eliminating the need to frequently look down. The seats for both the front and rear passengers are electrically adjustable, which is rare for C-Segment SUVs. This allows rear passengers to find a comfortable position during long trips more easily. Additionally, it includes features like keyless entry, rain-sensing wipers, automatic climate control, and a panoramic sunroof, all of which enhance daily convenience.

The space performance meets the expectations of a C-Segment SUV, with dimensions of 4315mm in length, 1790mm in width, and 1630mm in height, and a wheelbase of 2610mm. After adjusting the front seats to a proper position, a 175cm tall passenger would still have a headroom of one fist and two fingers. The rear legroom is also spacious, providing around two fists’ worth of space, which is sufficient for adults to cross their legs, with a headroom of one fist, ensuring a non-restrictive experience. The trunk offers a capacity of 416 liters, which can easily fit two suitcases for daily use. The rear seats can be folded down in a 60:40 split, creating more cargo space for transporting larger items conveniently. The attention to storage details is also well thought out: there are cup holders in the front and rear door panels, a generously sized central armrest storage box, and a wireless charging pad and 220V power outlet in the front, catering to various charging needs.

In terms of power performance, the Creta 1.5 PLUS is equipped with a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine, delivering a maximum power of 115PS and a peak torque of 144Nm, paired with a CVT transmission. In actual driving, the power output is smooth. Although the initial acceleration is not particularly fast, the power is released linearly after you press the accelerator. It is adequate for city commuting, following traffic, and overtaking. On highways, when exceeding a speed of 100km/h, although the pushback feeling is not very strong, maintaining speed or accelerating slowly is not an issue. The performance of the gearbox is also relatively quiet, with no noticeable jerks. There are three driving modes to choose from: Eco, Normal, and Sport. In Sport mode, the throttle response is more aggressive, but the overall power level still leans towards home comfort.

The handling and chassis performance are geared towards stability. The steering wheel has moderate resistance, with minimal play, making daily driving very easy. The tuning of the front MacPherson independent suspension leans towards comfort. When passing over speed bumps or uneven roads, it can filter out most of the bumps, avoiding overly harsh impacts. During high-speed cornering, the body roll is well-controlled, ensuring passengers don't feel excessive swaying. The brake pedal has a linear feel, and the braking power is sufficient, giving a lot of confidence during everyday driving. In terms of fuel consumption, under congested city driving conditions, it is around 7.5-8L/100km, while on highways it can drop to about 6L/100km. For a 1.5L SUV, this fuel consumption performance is quite reasonable.

Driving and riding comfort is worth mentioning. The cabin insulation is well-done. At speeds below 80km/h, wind and road noise are not significant. On highways, tire noise becomes slightly more noticeable but does not affect conversation. The seats offer excellent support, and the electric adjustment function allows people of different builds to find a suitable sitting position, making long journeys less tiring. The automatic air conditioning cools quickly and even has independent rear vents to cater to the comfort of rear passengers.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2023 Hyundai Creta 1.5 PLUS are apparent: it's well-equipped, offering features like electrically adjustable front and rear seats and a HUD, which are rarely found in models of the same price range. Its practical space can easily meet the daily needs of families. It is also fuel-efficient, keeping the cost of ownership low. Compared to segment competitors like the Honda HR-V and Toyota Corolla Cross, it offers richer features at a more competitive price.

This car is very suitable for family users who value cost performance and features, especially those who often need to travel with family members. The spacious interior, comfortable seats, and complete safety features (6 airbags, active braking, lane departure warning) provide sufficient safety assurance for families. For young users who value technology and convenience, its fully digital instrument cluster and large central control screen can also meet their needs.

In summary, the 2023 Hyundai Creta 1.5 PLUS is a well-balanced family SUV with no obvious shortcomings. Its biggest highlights are its features and space. The price of RM 149,888 is also very competitive, making it a worthy choice in the C-segment SUV market.