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Compact and stylish, the Exter carries the look of a hatchback.
| Photo Credit:
Ishaal Jaiswal
The Hyundai Exter was introduced to the Indian market nearly two years ago, and since then it has not just brought Hyundai great success in a new segment, it has also proven to be of great value to buyers. As we find our way towards peak summer this year, we’re joined by the Exter, which has proven to be a workhorse on endless Mumbai-Pune-Mumbai trips. It now sits where compact hatchbacks once were, and it’s not very difficult to see why the Exter has found immense popularity in the segment. If you were to glance over the recent sales figures, you would know how the small car segment is losing pace and in its place is the burgeoning compact SUV, a great example of which is the Exter.
In terms of looks, there’s no denying that the Exter tends to look like a compact hatchback, given its size and positioning. In the very cool Ranger Khaki shade that our test car came in, it does tend to stand out, despite its small footprint. The colour adds a rugged vibe to it while the H-shaped LED DRLs, black accents and the bold grille help the Exter look distinctly more characterful.
Its 15-inch wheels don’t look bad and make this small SUV quite all right in terms of overall presence. Furthering its SUV-like appeal is the overall stance as well as the squared-off design.
spacious cabin
Its shape needs to be credited for opening up quite a bit of room inside the cabin, in addition to Hyundai’s clever packaging. The spacious interior also boasts generous headroom and legroom, and the boot space isn’t bad either at 391 litres. The cargo area is deep but well-shaped, enabling owners to carry large bags and suitcases without thinking too much. There are storage spaces for smaller items, and even tall passengers won’t feel short-changed when it comes to overall comfort. The seats, while quite comfortable, can do with better support and cushioning, especially if the Exter is bought for long drives.
The cabin is designed to keep it user-friendly. Following that philosophy quite nicely is the presence of physical buttons for audio and climate functions. The material quality is good, and an enhanced sense of solid build is imbibed into the cabin. Many features from Hyundai’s more premium cars have been incorporated in the Exter, which adds to its appeal despite its affordable price. The included dashcam is a nifty thing to have. It has a dual-camera setup, which makes recording both the road ahead and the cabin possible simultaneously. In terms of connectivity, both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard, the sound quality of the infotainment system is all right, and with Exter’s good ergonomics, the user experience is quite decent, too.
The Exter is powered by a familiar 1.2-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine which makes 82 bhp, and comes mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard. While the claimed figure might not look much, the Exter turns out to be eager for both city and highway runs. It’s definitely not the most powerful vehicle out there but it makes great use of the available power, and even when subjected to slightly more demanding everyday tasks, it doesn’t lose its breath.
The manual gearbox is quite a revelation. It’s easy to slot and the clutch mechanism is light, too, making the Exter an excellent car for everyday use. Fuel efficiency is vital in this segment, and the Exter doesn’t fare badly either. During our testing, the car returned an extremely impressive average of 18 to 22 km/l. A good daily driver, then? You bet!
Driving the Exter through traffic is quite an effortless job because a) its small footprint works in its favour, and b) the light steering makes negotiating obstacles and slow-moving traffic a delight.
With a slightly longer wheelbase than a compact hatchback, the Exter proves to be planted on the highway. It remains stable at higher speeds without making slow-speed crawling a task. The duality makes the Exter popular among buyers in the space.
complete package
We feel that slightly larger wheels could’ve made the Exter better, but that’s not to say the current setup feels like a compromise. Its ride quality, too, is commendable. There’s respectable ground clearance, and it deals with rough patches, potholes and low-quality tarmac well. It doesn’t scrape its underside but let’s not forget that it is not a full-fledged SUV.
Hyundai has also offered six airbags as standard on the Exter, regardless of the variant you buy, which makes the compact SUV seem like a complete package. Other inclusions in the safety kit are ESC, Hill-Hold and TPMS.
In comparison to its main rival, the Tata Punch, the Hyundai Exter holds its own quite confidently. The competition between the two is tough, but the Exter lunges forward in terms of space, refinement and value. Having driven the Exter throughout the country, we can confidently say that it has been a solid road trip companion; amidst varying road conditions and extreme temperatures, it has never let us down.
The Hyundai Exter raced past the 1,00,000 units mark within a year of its launch, and the numbers keep growing steadily. There’s no reason to doubt that because it’s a well-made car, priced competitively from just ₹6.21 lakh onwards, ex-showroom. From city commutes to endless highway drives, the Exter looks to be equipped to handle all of that. Its wide range of features, the availability of six airbags as standard and cool looks make the SUV worth a second look. With compact hatchback money in the pocket, if you’re after something that does everyday stuff without throwing a tantrum, the Hyundai Exter deserves your attention.
© Motoring World
The duality makes the Exter popular among buyers in the space.Â
| Photo Credit: Ishaal Jaiswal
Published on May 2, 2025
This article first appeared on The Hindu Business Line
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