Crossovers and mini-crossovers are becoming extremely popular in the CIS countries: they are convenient to park, curbs and holes are not so scary. One of the benchmark representatives in this class is the Hyundai Creta. This car received high marks among motorists. Since 2016, this model has been increasingly sold on domestic market. Is this car worth buying? Detailed review Hyundai Greta 2018 will help answer this question.

Main competitors

Among cars of this class, Greta has quite a lot of competitors, most of which are also popular in the CIS. Among them it is worth noting:

• Renault Captur. The car is ideal in terms of price-quality ratio. A mini-crossover with a specific design has been conquering Russian roads for more than 5 years;
• Nissan Terrano. One of the most affordable cars in its class, which has a decent interior and comfort. It is noteworthy that Terrano is built on based on Renault Duster;
• Kia Soul. South Korean car, which can very often be found on our roads, especially in small towns. The original design is combined with high reliability;
• Ford Kuga. Roomy car, adapted for Russian roads and with good handling.
• Suzuki Vitara. A more expensive Japanese analogue that is highly reliable.

To direct Hyundai competitors Creta includes Renault Kaptur, Suzuki Vitara and Renault Duster

Options and prices

In 2018, the Creta has a huge variety of trim levels, and there are some nice additions that allow the car to compete with other equally well-known companies.

Start package

The initial cost is 800,000 thousand rubles. For this price the owner receives:

• Six-speed manual box gears, as well as a 1.6-liter engine with a power of 123 hp, front-wheel drive;
• Power windows front and rear;
• Audio system with support for MP3 format;
• Adjustable power steering wheel and the ability to adjust the seat height to suit you;
• Stabilization system and assistance when starting uphill and on descent;
• Two front airbags;
• Sensor showing tire pressure;
• Ability to talk on the phone using Hands-Free.

This equipment cannot be called meager, because the bare minimum required for comfortable driving is present. For drivers who are more demanding of their car in terms of safety and comfort, the Active and Comfort Plus trim levels are suitable.

Active package

Starts from 900,000 thousand rubles. Unlike Start, this includes options such as:

• Heated mirrors, seats, air conditioning;
• Remote controlled central locking;
• By paying another 50,000, you can order a six-speed automatic transmission, but the powerful engine for Greta is not provided in this configuration.

Comfort Plus package

The starting price starts from 1,019,000 rubles. The required options are:

• Aluminum wheels;
• Parktronic;
• Climate control function;
• Adaptive head light with fog lights;
• Six airbags.

To get a four-wheel drive vehicle with automatic transmission gears, you will have to add another 130,000 rubles, or only 50,000 if you want a front-wheel drive automatic.

Even in the most budget crossover configuration there is assistance when climbing uphill

Thus, a Creta with a two-liter engine and a power of 149 horsepower will cost 1,129,000 rubles, and for four-wheel drive you will have to pay another 80,000.

Technical characteristics and dimensions of Hyndai Creta

Greta has the following weight, dimensions and capacity:

• Length - 4270 mm;
• Width - 1780 mm;
• Height - 1630 mm;
• Wheelbase - 2590 mm;
• Ground clearance - 190 mm;
• Curb weight - 1377 kg;
• Front track width - 1557 mm;
• Rear track width - 1570 mm;
• Wheel size - 205 / 65 / R16;
• Trunk volume 402 l;
• Fuel tank volume - 55 l;

From March 2017, the Creta became available with all-wheel drive and a 1.6 liter engine. Before this, 4x4 could only be purchased with a two-liter engine.

Hyundai's official website offers a choice of 8 colors, including silver metallic and brown

This car has two gasoline engines:

• 1.6 liters and 123 horsepower. It is available in both manual and automatic transmissions;
• 2.0 liter with 149 horsepower. Equipped exclusively with an automatic transmission.

Dynamics and fuel consumption

Owners of this model note that for its size and engine, the Creta has quite acceptable fuel consumption per 100 km. Speaking in numbers, the data is as follows:

• 1.6 liter engine - approximately 8-8.5 liters in the city, 6-6.5 liters on the highway;
• 2.0 liter engine – about 10-12 liters, on the highway it rarely exceeds 8 liters.

For urban conditions, especially in heavy traffic, the simplest engine is ideal - it will be more economical.

10.7 seconds - this is exactly how long it takes for a Hyundai Creta with a 2.0 AT engine to reach a speed of 100 km/h

Safety

IN basic configuration Hyndai Creta is equipped with two airbags versus six in higher-end configurations. It is this factor that often influences the choice of configuration. After all, this car is mainly bought as a family car, and the safety of passengers in this case is an important indicator.

Even in the starting configuration there is a system of exchange rate stability and ABS. This is already a standard for foreign cars, especially in this price range. More expensive versions will have parking sensors available.

Rich trim levels include six airbags

Speaking in hard numbers, the results of a car crash test have the following meanings:

• Head – 5 (out of 5);
• Chest – 4 (out of 5);
• Neck – 2 (out of 2);
• Shin – 3.23 (out of 4);
• Hips – 2 (out of 2).

These are indicators of a frontal impact with 100% overlap. The condition of the mannequins sitting in front was assessed.

For passengers sitting in the rear, the indicators are as follows:

• Chest – 0.39 (out of 1);
• Neck – 0.05 (out of 0.2);
• Head – 0.8 (out of 0.8);

Interior and exterior

External and internal mode of transport is an integral criterion that almost all car owners pay attention to. Creta is quite balanced in this regard.

Salon overview

Concerning interior decoration and execution, then for the price it’s difficult to find fault with anything. Sitting in a car for the first time, you have the feeling that you are in a Hyndai Solaris. But there are two fundamental differences“Greta is more massive, and you can feel it even inside, and the driver feels much more confident.

Hyundai Creta, even for a crossover of its size, is a very roomy car

The front panel is a bit harsh, but all its elements are located in intuitive places, and it’s convenient to switch and turn all the levers. The creators did not cheat and hide required options to the most unusual places.

The seats are comfortable, although a little narrow, so three plump, tall people in the back will feel cramped. If we take into account regular trips with the family, then these seats are more than enough.

The front panel of the car has a simple design, and all auxiliary switches are located in intuitive places

The initial trunk volume is 402 liters, but the rear seats can be folded down and you get a confident 1,396 liters.

If you fold the rear seats, the trunk volume will more than triple.

Appearance overview

In appearance, Greta resembles a slightly stripped-down Santa Fe - indeed, there are many similarities between these cars in terms of appearance.

Car wheels are painted silver color Platinum

Excellent assembly, no gaps, and all parts fit perfectly. Owners love that the headlights and grille blend with the curves of the body, complementing each other.

It’s hard to find fault with the car’s appearance: it has both an aggressive appearance and features of a family car.

If you look from the side, the rear windows are beveled, which gives the car a sportier and more aggressive look. appearance.

Video review of Hyundai Greta

Test drive Hyundai Creta

Conclusion: advantages and disadvantages

U of this car It has both its advantages and minor disadvantages. The first include:

• Excellent suspension, which is ideal for Russian roads;
• Spacious interior, making the car ideal for a small family;
• The braking system works great and has excellent pedal response;
• Even in the starting configuration, the car will be well equipped;
• Acceptable fuel consumption in the city and on the highway.

The disadvantages include the following:

• In places where there are paint chips, owners complain of rust;
• Sometimes the plastic panel creaks, especially in the heat, when the interior is very hot;
• Small glove compartment capacity;

Many people compare Greta with Duster, and it is logical - the cars are really similar in many ways, if you do not take into account the appearance. It’s worth saying right away that Renault is more suitable for those who often travel off-road and arrange out-of-town trips. For the city and comfortable driving with several passengers, the Creta would be preferable - it is more spacious.

Summing up, we can conclude that the Hyndai Creta received the title “Car of the Year” quite deservedly, and indeed, the price tag justifies the expectations of the owners. It's nice that this price segment cars become more reliable and pleasant to look at. More Russian motorists prefer South Korean cars, because they are often head and shoulders above their direct competitors, and at the same time are affordable for the middle class. Hero this review I confirmed this with my own example.

We present to your attention a video review of the 2017 Hyundai Creta.

Design

The appearance of the new Hyundai Greta 2017 has acquired angular shapes and become more classic. The front and rear optics remind me very much of the optics of Hyundai's flagship Genesis. Concerning fog lights, they are vertical and give a certain brutality. Projection headlights with additional cornering lights.

From the side, the new Hyundai Creta 2017 also looks interesting. Plastic body kits with deep stamping along the entire length of the body give the appearance a certain solidity. But at the same time they look heavy.

As for the rear of the Hyundai Creta, everything is harmonious here too. Diode side lights are used interestingly. The rear view camera with projection adjustment also looks nice.

The car is equipped with wheels of sizes 16 and 17. We have a top car with 17 alloy wheels. Chrome handles only top trim levels and an additional option - a running board. Plastic body kit present in the very initial configuration.

Hard plastic is used for door trim. Everything is done practically, well fitted, on a budget, but with taste.

There is good news for red color lovers; the 2017 Hyundai Creta has arrived at dealers in this version. Moreover, the choice of color does not affect the cost.

Under the hood

A 2-liter engine with a power of 149.6 horsepower is used. This is done in order to get into the tax niche and pay less tax. The time-tested 1.6 engine is also used, and 123 horsepower. If you want to know how they will perform on the road, carefully watch the video test drive of the Hyundai Greta at the top of the article.

There is no decorative engine trim; it can be purchased separately. There is no thermal insulation.

Despite the fact that the Hyundai Creta 2017 belongs to the budget B class, it has a lot of things like the Skoda. Hyundai have worked on its practicality and ease of use. There is a hard floor and if you fold the rear seats, it becomes level. You can spend the night in your car.

There is a special hole in the trunk lid of the new Hyundai Greta 2017 so that if somehow someone remains in the car or in the trunk, you can get out yourself from the inside using a screwdriver or some kind of key by pressing the latch . There is a handle to close the trunk lid.

Salon

A review of the Hyundai Greta cannot be complete without a description of the interior. This is a budget Japanese Volkswagen.

Budget-friendly, as hard plastic is used, but with a good fit of materials. Japanese, because when you first enter the Creta Hyundai salon, you remember the Subaru Outback 2009. Volkswagen, because there is no chaos in the details, everything is in its place, clear and understandable.

Very simple to understand, clear and easy to read analog instrument panel.

On the steering wheel: voice communication, selection of the on-board computer menu. There are all electric lifts, adjustable heated mirrors, and cup holders in the door panels. The visors are not illuminated, but with large mirrors and some kind of fasteners for documents or cards. Illuminated for comfort rear passengers, as well as heating the rear sofa.

The climate control is also very reminiscent of the Volkswagen family. The temperature is simply adjusted, the intensity is adjusted - everything is in its place. In this car in fully equipped we have:

• heated front window,
• heated steering wheel,
• functions of the assistant for ascent and descent from the mountain,
• differential lock function.

Three-zone heated front seats. There are many possibilities for connecting external media: electronic devices, recorders, detectors, radars. There are 2 12-volt sockets, a USB input and AUX for listening to your favorite music.

In move

The steering is finely tuned, reminiscent of German Volkswagen cars and Skoda.

The cost of our car is 1,299,000. For this price, you may not like the hard plastic, although it is quite well made, and the noise of the engine. At rpms above 3000 it is very annoyingly audible. And also the noise of the wheels. A detailed Creta test drive can be viewed in the video review at the very top of the page.

Prices and conclusions

Hyundai Creta review It would be correct to conclude with an analysis of prices, they start from 749,000. There we will get a 1.6 engine and 123 horsepower. There will be no all-wheel drive and air conditioning, but we will:

• full power windows,
• armrest with box,
• rear brake discs,
• radio unit,
• six-speed manual.

The 2017 Hyundai Creta is a very nice car. Pleasant to drive, interior, and appearance. In terms of driving comfort and overcoming obstacles on the highway, the car performs well. Meanwhile, the engine noise is very audible when it starts to pick up speed, after 3000 rpm. The noise comes into the cabin and everything rattles.

The engine runs, but 149 horsepower should drive harder. As he says official dealer, a car with front-wheel drive behaves much more dynamically.

The only thing that really bothers me is the cost. The top-end car we are sitting in costs almost 1,299,000.

Look full version video Hyundai review Creta, at the beginning of the article.

Hello motorists! I decided to buy a Hyundai Greta with all-wheel drive a long time ago, about four months ago. I started looking closely at it after selling my Duster, but my wife didn’t like the car right away.

As additional options I looked at Renault Captur, Nissan Qashqai, Suzuki Vitara, but due to financial difficulties I postponed the purchase for some time.

While I was thinking, the Qashqai has risen in price, and for the Vitara, in my opinion, taking into account the internal contents, the price is somewhat overpriced. The wallet turned out to be not so bottomless. And then the torment of choice began. Kaptur attracted external execution, high ground clearance and the ability to choose all-wheel drive, a two-liter engine, a manual transmission and other features.

However, the Hyundai Creta captivated us with its restraint and intelligence. You feel especially luxurious in the cabin - you sit as if in a luxury car. In general, prestige played a role. My wife said, take it.

The final choice remained with Crete. To order a car, I had to stand in line - I ordered it in December, and in November they called and offered automatic all-wheel drive without a package. It is worth noting that the order itself is quite flexible - you can choose any color or configuration. The car arrived in just over two weeks.

Hyundai Creta 2.0/4WD AT

Hyundai Greta – universal car. This is an excellent choice for practical people. Outwardly, it resembles an SUV, although it is inferior in cross-country ability. With its help you can transport many passengers, large loads, travel around light off-road, tow heavy trailers.

Here are a few features that I noticed after a month of use:

• Only the “Style” package is equipped with a central headrest. The rear seat backrest is adjustable to a 40/60 position. If you want to lie down, you won’t be able to lean back. But the rear seats can be folded so as to create a flat floor with a trunk. You can sleep stretched out to the fifth door, provided that your height does not exceed 170 cm.
• The engine compartment has neither a casing nor any hood trim.
• The performance of the front wipers leaves much to be desired - the coverage area is incomplete, and a “dirt zone” remains on the side. But the heating windshield It works well - you can even fry eggs.
• The configuration does not include backlighting of the side mirror adjustment buttons. In the dark it is impossible to see anything there. If there is auto-adjustment, there is no automatic folding of the mirrors. This is a minus for developers. You can try to put the button in the panel, but to do this you will have to completely change it, since it does not have a plug. But in the “Style” package all this is present.
• Everything is the same with lowering the windows, locking, opening/closing the door. Only the driver's window button is illuminated, which is very pleasing.
• Does not exist in the engine plastic sheathing. But the dealer provides the opportunity to order this add-on for an additional fee.
• The glove compartment is presented in standard version, there is no recess inside to the engine.
• The multimedia system is normal, there is no video playback, there is no navigation, but there is a touch screen.
• On backrest For some reason, the seat developers did not provide a pocket.
• The rear seats do not have a second armrest. Give water to a child while wearing a seat belt child seat It will go into the side compartment of the door or into the pocket located in the front.
• Only the front boot is available.
• The lower fog lights are daytime ones running lights. For those who want full-fledged foglights, the “Style” package is available.
• The mirror, which is located in the sun visor, has impressive dimensions. But you can only see yourself if the main lamp is working, since the mirror is not equipped with lighting.
• You can open the gas tank cap using the gas tank lever, which is located at the bottom. If you move your legs randomly, you may accidentally hit the lever or break off the lever. Perhaps it would be better if all the buttons were dashboard were on the floor.

Does the Hyundai Creta need all-wheel drive? Considering all the capabilities of the model, we can confidently say that all-wheel drive is simply necessary, even if you plan to drive it exclusively around the city.

Of course, you will have to pay extra for convenience, and the choice of configurations is somewhat smaller, but here it is worth taking into account our conditions - the condition and maintenance of roads, weather conditions.

Without all-wheel drive, many of the car's advantages are neutralized, and versatility becomes less pronounced. The exception is when a car enthusiast wants to buy a vehicle with a high seating position and an appearance reminiscent of an SUV, provided that the filling characteristics are practically unimportant. In this case, you can take front-wheel drive.

Currently, you can purchase all-wheel drive not only with a 2-liter and 150-horsepower engine, as was previously the case, but also with power unit 1.6 liters. However, the manufacturer does not offer an abundance of assortment. Those who want to purchase manual all-wheel drive will have to take a closer look at the Active package - there are no other options yet. All-wheel drive car with automatic transmission is available exclusively in the top-end assembly.

For now, the Comfort Plus package, which replaced Comfort, is considered the maximum. Its difference is the presence of projector headlights with illuminated turn signals, fog lamps, led lights. Previously, such “chips” could be purchased for a separate additional payment, but now they are included in a full package.

What does the future hold for cars? Most likely, a comparative test with the main competitor – Renault Captur. It seems that the Hyundai Creta with all-wheel drive will be in considerable demand.

Experts are confident that the recently released Hyundai Creta crossover was a little late, because an earlier debut could have brought the company much greater profit. But, as we know, better late than never, and these words fit this situation perfectly. The presentation of Cret caused a huge stir - events of this scale have not been seen on the Russian market for a long time. So what exactly is this Creta? If you think that this is a purely marketing product, then you are very mistaken - with the right approach, you can strike some good sparks out of your car. Okay, let's move away from metaphors and present you with a test drive of the Hyundai Greta.

With an accusatory slant

Recently, a test drive of the Hyundai Creta took place, which was supposed to put everything in its place and answer all controversial questions. The flat Altai area, not far from the Katun River, was chosen for the test. Against the backdrop of these landscapes, the car looks very lively and interesting. If you look closely, you can see familiar features. And this is not strange, because before us stands a European, although Korean origin. Upon closer examination of the exterior, you can find many common points with the Mercedes GLK and Skoda Fabia.

Of course, we do not undertake to claim that our comparisons are the only correct ones, since every car enthusiast can find another “double”. If we talk about the features of the appearance of the “Korean”, we will immediately note the absence of the usual smooth transitions, but at the same time the main features are visible model range. Also, I would like to highlight a similar in shape LED optics, enlarged wheel arches and high-tech plastic sills. The latter go well with stylish door trims.

Can't do without retribution

As usual, we used the Hyundai Creta for a test drive maximum configuration car - Comfort. In addition to it, there are two more configurations. Basic - Start can only be called “empty”, since it lacks some necessary elements. Medium – Active, looks more attractive, but still, it is still very far from the maximum. Judge for yourself: Comfort includes air conditioning and a heated steering wheel, as well as other interesting equipment. Most likely it is this modification will be the most popular in our market. Therefore, our today Hyundai test drive Creta should interest you. Note that the minimum cost of a car is 800 thousand rubles.

A treasure trove of revelations

We are not sure that you will like the basic interior design, but what the manufacturers offered in the Comfort package looks quite good. In the interior you can see a continuation of the external stylistic concept: chopped lines of the dashboard, a stylish visor protecting the multimedia unit, as well as protection instrument panel. In this hegemony of relief, powerful vertical deflectors and high-tech climate block.

It is worth noting that the developers decided not to oversaturate the console with buttons and switches, minimizing their number. Those elements that were nevertheless used are located so ergonomically that they are absolutely not noticeable or distracting.

Considering the fact that the width of the car is 1,387 mm, it may seem that the body of the Hyundai Creta is cramped. But a test drive of the “Korean” showed that this is not at all the case. The fact is that the developers reduced the thickness of the doors and thereby saved a lot of space. There are no complaints about the height of the body. Moreover, the seats are equipped with convenient electric position regulators.

There are only complaints about the headrests, which do not seem comfortable enough. If you come to terms with this, then the control process does not cause absolutely any discomfort.

Now let's move to rear seats. There are already many claims that can be made here. This includes a relatively low ceiling and a cramped sofa, where only two adults can comfortably fit. It is also unpleasant that with the driver and front passenger seats moved as far back as possible, the knees of the rear passengers are tightly fixed in an uncomfortable position.

The luggage compartment capacity of 402 liters also deserves criticism, but a test drive showed that 2-3 suitcases can fit comfortably. In addition, folding the rear sofa allows you to increase the volume to 1387 liters. If this is not enough, then you can remove the spare tire and get a little more free space for luggage.

The movement on the 123-horsepower engine turned out to be quite predictable - soft, but at the same time, somehow heavy. On a straight road everything is more or less good, but off-road it is better to accelerate the engine to 2,800 rpm. This is especially true in cases where the crossover trunk is fully loaded.

As for overtaking, it is more difficult than other cars of the company. The situation is partially saved by the 6-speed manual transmission, which has already proven itself excellent in Solaris. And fuel consumption is lower than that of competitors - an average of 7 liters per hundred.

Four-wheel drive

So, now we’ll switch to a two-liter engine with 6 automatic transmissions and all-wheel drive. To say that there is a difference is to say nothing. But the differences relate to technical characteristics, while the interior design is almost identical. It is worth noting that the 2-liter unit is noisier than the base one, and this, frankly, is wonderful - the true spirit of an SUV is felt. For a test drive, a Hyundai Creta with a two-liter engine was chosen hilly terrain and the car did not disappoint at all. The only drawback The crossover in these conditions turned out to have high steering stiffness, which is why you have to constantly steer. In addition, at 4,000 rpm, there is a slight disruption in the interaction between the engine and the gearbox.

The all-wheel drive system performed well on steep climbs. This is especially true on roads covered with crushed stone. The real test was the 30-degree climb, but the Creta 2.0 handled it well.

Finally, Creta went to the rutted field, which seemed to him like a child's play. The suspension showed itself to be excellent, but it’s immediately noticeable that the front part is slightly inferior in reliability to the rear.

Conclusion

Well, let’s sum up the test drive of the Hyundai Greta: the car doesn’t really like high speed and sharp maneuvers. It's more suitable for off-road driving, although it can't be said to get lost in heavy traffic. With the right approach, the “Korean” can become a good city car.

If so, then it is destined to catch fire or fade away in the spurs of Altai. Where the plain gives way to a picturesque gorge cut by the turquoise waters of the Katun River, an exemplary journalistic investigation takes place. The compact crossover Hyundai Creta is not yet guilty of anything, but it arouses a lot of suspicion among the public, in all respects.

And yet, despite the four-hour difference from Moscow, common sense overcomes the half-asleep consciousness. It’s hard not to notice that Creta, despite all its “globalism,” is something interesting, and above all, in design.

The styling of the car seems suspiciously familiar to me. A typical European, but what does he look like? You can throw stones, but the first one that came to mind was Mercedes GLK, only considerably reduced and in a special reading. The second, due to the shape of the front window frames, is the Skoda Fabia.

Of course, such associations are not a dogma... Everyone will find their own, but Creta’s emotionality will still not diminish. There are practically no smooth contours and slickness in it, but there are characteristic, immediately memorable features. For example, headlights and rear optics are identical in shape with pronounced “makeup” eyeliner on the outside, barely widened wheel arches with plastic protection extending to the thresholds. It is complemented by elegantly shaped door linings. Everything else is a combination of edges of different sizes and configurations, which create a very attractive image.

Can't do without retribution

As often happens, the manufacturer presented cars for testing in the maximum, out of three possible, versions - Comfort. For information: there is also a completely “empty” Start and a slightly more “packed” Active. The latter - with air conditioning and a heated steering wheel, but without the ability to even order a branded audio system with a touch screen for an additional fee - will apparently have to be additionally installed at dealers (which not everyone will like). In general, the configurations are arranged in such a way that “ full stuffing"will certainly be in demand, and our test drive of the top version is for once not divorced from consumer reality.

A treasure trove of revelations

I don’t know what impression I would have gotten from the starting Creta interior, but the one proposed in the top does not disappoint at all. Its style is identical to the exterior: chopped lines of the front panel, from the visor of the perfectly readable instrument panel with large dials and an LCD information display between them to the optional multimedia unit, also covered by a small sun visor, under which a strip of an electronic clock is built. From this deliberate relief, emphasized by powerful vertical air duct deflectors framed in brushed aluminum, the only thing that slightly stands out is the climate control unit with a pair of control wheels and five additional keys.

There are a minimum of keys and buttons, which is quite rational for a small, but not cramped cabin. But they were positioned not only ergonomically, but also with thoughtful design. For example, a mini-unit for adjusting mirrors found a place on an insert in a vertically standing door panel handle. Cool and convenient solution.

At the same time, as in the others Hyundai models, the thickness of the door trim is reduced to a minimum. Therefore, the cabin width of 1,387 mm at shoulder level in front is quite sufficient even for two overweight men. There are no complaints about the height either: my height of 185 cm is not at all critical for a comfortable driving position, and besides, the range of seat adjustments both longitudinally and vertically is enough for the eyes. How can one not remember the main thing? competitor Creta– which, while outwardly impressive, turns out to be quite cramped...

The only pity is that, despite all the comfort of the profiled backrest, the Creta seat cushion is short, and there is no way to compensate for the shortcoming by the angle of its inclination. If you come to terms with this, then getting comfortable behind the wheel is not a problem. In particular, due to the huge range of adjustment of the steering wheel for reach, which, like many other things, is not provided in lower trim levels.

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The desire of my colleagues to quickly try on the driver’s seat turns me to the role of a passenger – but I certainly can’t call it an unenviable one. True, the distance from the head to the ceiling is slightly less than in the front, and only two people are comfortable on the sofa. The revelation was that with the front seats moved completely back, my knees did not touch the backrests! And this despite the fact that wheelbase At 2,590 mm, the Creta is inferior to that of the Duster (2,673 mm) and Kaptur (2,674 mm). Well, there are absolute values, and there are realities of life.

Trunk volume

402 / 1,387 liters

You can criticize the trunk volume of 402 liters, but a suitcase or two, plus a backpack, will fit into it. How much more for a city car? In contrast to my opponents, I fold out the backs of the chairs in a few seconds - you will get your 1387 liters for seedlings, bicycles and other things during the beach and summer season. If that's not enough, there are hidden compartments near the full-size spare tire under the raised floor. You need even more - put it on the roof, which will not spoil the appearance one iota. After all, this is a small crossover, not cargo van. Of course, in pre-crisis times, but who already remembers this...

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The start with a 123-horsepower “mechanics” turned out to be completely predictable, because the curb weight of the Creta (1,345 kg) is almost 200 kilograms more than that of the Solaris (1,154 kg), and the engines are the same. However, the car does not show itself to be an outright weakling, especially on a flat road. But for normal dynamics, the engine must be turned to at least 2,800 rpm, especially if the car is loaded and the climb has begun.

It has become harder to overtake, you have to shift more often, but 6 gears are a real blessing, and they click easily and very accurately. Of course, if you put aside the desire to win five to ten minutes over a hundred kilometers, the engine does not cause any special complaints. In addition, like the 2.0-liter, which awaits me a little later, it readily digests 92 gasoline, which is important, and consumption does not go beyond 7 liters per hundred.

The 123-horsepower front-wheel drive Creta handles extremely nicely. Firstly, the multifunctional steering wheel, in our case with electric power steering, pleased us with its small stroke - 2.8 turns from lock to lock and a pronounced “zero”. Very light at the moment of starting the engine, it filled with force in the very first second of movement, and remained so, according to the first impression, regardless of speed.

Hyundai Creta
Consumption per 100 km

Secondly, in the 1.6-liter single-wheel drive version rear suspension not a multi-link, like a front- or all-wheel drive “two-liter”, but semi-independent, with a torsion beam. The simple and inexpensive design has its own thrill. Both with and without a load at the rear, the car steers without much roll, without making the stabilization system nervous, but for serious off-road use the suspension travel is already a bit short.

Fuel tank volume

But what if you wander onto the boulder-strewn bank of the Katun? Alas, such a wild beach is of little use for a 1.6-liter engine with a manual transmission. The grip, which was light and comfortable on asphalt, turned out to be weak on such a surface. It’s almost impossible to move away without burning the disc due to the forced increase in revolutions at the start (oh, if only there was a little more torque at the bottom).

Well, that's it, give me a two-liter 149-horsepower version! Let's compare.

Full program

There are no differences in the interior, except covered in leather We couldn’t find an “automatic” selector in the Creta version, which is top-end in all respects and reinforced with three “packages”. Is it possible that the 2-liter Nu series turned out to be a little noisier at Idling than the small 1.6 Gamma. I was so carried away by the study of technical sounds that I completely forgot about music. But there is one, and a good one, with six speakers and a USB input. Well, Vysotsky and “Farewell to the Mountains” with reliable lows and natural hoarseness? Yes, that’s right, but it’s too early to part with Altai.

If with base motor and with front-wheel drive all my desires did not always correspond to the capabilities, then with a powerful four-wheel drive vehicle they simply must be fulfilled. Of course, I won’t rush to storm Belukha, the highest local point in Altai, but why not go to the gentle hills, velvety with herbs, of which there are more than enough in the surrounding area?

The most picturesque ones with heights over 1,000 meters are one and a half hundred miles away. Little things, unless it suddenly turns out that on a high-speed, albeit winding, road, steering stiffness is not always a sign of refined handling. I didn’t like constantly steering in fast turns, and the howl of the tandem engine and gearbox at more than 4,000 rpm didn’t add any pleasure. Not very pleasant facts, although compensation for them was not long in coming.

Brief technical specifications

Dimensions, mm (L / W / H): 4,480 / 1,855 / 1,655 Power, hp: 123 (149.6) Maximum speed, km/h: 169 (179) Acceleration 0-100 km/h, s: 12.1 (11.3) Transmission: 6-speed, manual (6-speed, automatic) Drive: Front wheels (all-wheel drive, AWD )

Curb weight

Altai dirt roads are mostly rocky, so all-wheel drive is justified only on steep climbs, where it is important not to skid on smooth crushed stone. There are almost no ruts with mud in the mountains, and 190 mm ground clearance, engine power and torque of 192 Nm at 4,200 rpm are enough for the eyes. They did not introduce any innovations into the Creta’s transmission, leaving everything as it is in the Tucson and its compatriots. It got rid of overheating several years ago thanks to an electro-hydraulic control drive, and taking into account the weight compact crossover works in automatic mode faster and more efficient.

Climbing up a more than 30-degree slope after Niva turned out to be quite a realistic task. However, after a couple of tens of meters I prefer to lock the clutch with a button - the climb is too steep. Fixed traction along the axles in a ratio of 50:50 is simply necessary on it. Next is the manual mode of the automatic transmission and the stabilization system disabled. Another minute and... here it is, the top. But rolling down is much more scary, even with the “descent assistant” turned on. Alas, 10 km/h on such a slope is already a lot, and you can’t do without step braking. It seems that Creta has passed the most severe test of its life...

Even a mowed field with stubble, pitted with ditches, where the body does not creak and the interior panels do not squeak, seems like children's entertainment. The suspension also held up, breaking through only once in the front, but the rear multi-link turned out to be much stronger than MacPherson struts. In comparison with the design of the Creta's twin, the Hyundai ix25 for China, it was strengthened by springs and shock absorbers installed almost vertically with a reduced valve cross-section. However, the entire system was borrowed from - naturally, with modifications. And if several years ago almost all owners complained about the excessive softness of the Hyundai chassis, then Creta is unlikely to disappoint anyone in this regard.

***

So what's the bottom line? As already noted, Creta does not like high speeds and sudden maneuvers. The crossover was not tailored for them, but they were taught to drive in “civilian modes” correctly, I would say – academically. At the same time, the car was also made truly modern and comfortable. Only time will tell how reliable it is. But now Renault-Nissan with their crossovers on the B0 platform, as well as Ford with EcoSport and Peugeot since 2008, are worth thinking about. There were more than enough sparks in the Creta.

Materiel

Dmitry Yurasov website columnist

For all its novelty, the Hyundai Creta, also known as ix25, was not created from scratch. And it’s clearly not the design concept alone that explains the fact that the configuration of the A-pillars and door frames is one-to-one copies of the Kia Soul - it’s obvious that the entire frame of the front part of the two models is as unified as possible, although the Creta’s outer panels are original. Almost identical and front module platforms, because the McPherson suspension is on a subframe, disc brakes and steering mechanisms (with hydraulic or electric power, depending on the modification) - common to all compact Hyundai-Kia models, including Elantra/i30 and Cerato/cee"d, the only differences are in the settings. Here rear end at the very small crossover Hyundai is its own: in order to obtain an all-wheel drive modification, the Koreans used a slightly modified multi-link suspension from the “older” Tucson/Sportage with electrohydraulic friction clutch Magna Dynamax, which required increasing the “Soul” wheelbase by two centimeters. And the semi-independent suspension of the single-wheel drive version had to be “tightened in geometry”: extended trailing arms and other mounting points for “high” shock absorbers improved off-road kinematics. The base 1.6-liter engine for the Russian specification (a 1.4-liter version is also offered in other markets) was also shared with the Creta by Tucson and Elantra. This is an aluminum 16-valve G4FC unit with chain drive The timing belt belongs to the Gamma family, like the Solaris engine, but it has a simplified version with a phase shifter only at the inlet, but here there are two of them. This does not give an increase in power, there is a small gain only in efficiency, and modifications with direct injection G4FD gasoline, which is equipped with Soul, Crete, and more budget model, is not expected, not to mention the turbocharged G4FJ, which serves as the top engine for the Tucson. Here it was given to an atmospheric two-liter “four” of the Nu family, also with phase shifters on the intake and exhaust, a timing chain and multi-point injection with a variable configuration intake manifold. The same Tucson and new Elantra, and the more solid i40. Of course, the “all-Hendevan” gearboxes are the six-speed manual M6CF1, which is combined only with the 1.6-liter unit, and the “automatic” A6MF2, which is combined with both engines. Six-speed hydromechanical box own development Hyundai-Kia in various modifications in terms of the amount of transmitted torque is set on many models, from the same Solaris to large crossover Grand Santa Fe. By the way, Cretu is similar to the latter in that, regardless of the engine and transmission, it has disc brakes on all wheels.