Hyundai has started testing a new compact SUV – Spy shots have emerged on the internet
Hyundai is one of the leading automotive manufacturers in the Asian subcontinent. The South Korean brand is known for updating their cars aggressively. We got the current Creta SUV in March 2020. In 2021, Hyundai started testing Creta facelift. In 2022, it was launched in international markets. India launch of Creta facelift is expected later this year or early next year.
Now a new Hyundai SUV has been spied on test in South Korea. It is difficult to say for sure what this new SUV is, but from the spy shots, it looks like something that is compact in size. It is the India-spec Creta facelift, which is due for gen early next year, or is it the next gen Venue?
New Gen Hyundai SUV – Creta or Venue?
It is a massive departure from current Hyundai Creta or Venue in terms of features and creature comforts. Overall silhouette is likely to be similar, but there will be a more prominent fascia at the front along with a tech-laden package including ADAS suite.
The test mule was spotted in South Korea. It gets heavy cladding to hide its identity. Design-wise, it will stay true to the overall silhouette of the existing Venue or Creta. An upright front fascia and a strong side profile will stay similar as seen in spy shots. Hyundai’s parametric grille on the outgoing model is similar in concept too.
Palisade-inspired vertically stacked headlights add a lot of presence. Above the headlights, we find its LED DRLs with a unique signature. It doesn’t follow Tucson facelift design, which have some bits in their parametric grille doubling as LED DRLs. Instead, it gets a prominent and thick upper LED bar and multiple LED squares below it. This design lends a unique touch.
Creta Facelift To Get ADAS
The spy shots reveal a square radar module integrated into its lower bumper. This enables ADAS suite with multiple active safety assistance tech to reduce road hazards. Exact list of ADAS features is unknown. 2024 Creta is also seen with a front camera, and will get a 360 camera feature. Kia Seltos facelift has also been spied testing with the ADAS module, and it is likely to launch later this year.
Tata Nexon facelift is rumoured to get ADAS too. That said, none of the Nexon facelift test mules till now donned a bumper-mounted radar module. In that case, the new gen Hyundai Venue is likely to be the first subcompact SUV in India to get ADAS tech. By the time the new Venue reaches India, more players might normalize ADAS already.
If this test mule is of Creta facelift for India, it wears a different design language to the international spec Creta facelift. It will launch in India early next year. Upon launch, it will take on the likes of Grand Vitara, Toyota HyRyder, Skoda Kushaq, VW Taigun, etc. Ahead of Creta facelift, Hyundai will launch Exter small SUV.
What will it pack when launched?
In the case of Venue new gen, it is likely to pack the same 1.2L 4-cyl NA petrol (82 bhp, 114 Nm, mated to 5-MT), a 1.0L 3-cyl turbo petrol (118 bhp, 172 Nm, mated to 6-iMT) and a 1.5L 4-cyl diesel (113 bhp, 250 Nm, mated to 6-MT). There are also reports which indicate that the new Venue will get an all electric variant to rival Nexon EV. 2024 Hyundai Venue prices will remain in line with the segment.
If this test mule is of the new Creta facelift for India, it will be powered by a 1.5 liter petrol turbo engine delivering 160 PS power, making it the most powerful compact SUV in the country. It will also get 1.5 liter NA petrol as well as 1.5 liter diesel engine option. Transmission options will include MT, AT as well as DCT. Prices of 2024 Creta facelift are likely to range from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh.
