Hyundai Exter

Hyundai Exter Review

The world of SUVs is growing, and except a tiny two seater SUV, we pretty much have all possible form factors of SUVs on sale in India. Smallest (and conversely the most popular) body type are micro SUVs, a category established by the Tata Punch in India. And looking at the strong sales figures of the Punch, Hyundai has also decided to grab a slice of the pie with a new offering in the form of the Exter.

The Exter presents a well-packaged and feature-loaded option for those seeking an SUV experience without breaking the bank. But the thorn in its side is not only the Punch, but also the more affordable subcompact SUVs — Renault Kiger and Nissan Magnite — which offer more space and practicality than the micro SUVs, while costing the same. Let's explore how the Exter fares against its rivals.

Hyundai Exter Pros and Cons 

Hyundai Exter Exterior Design 

The Exter boasts key design elements like a flat bonnet, elevated stance, muscular wheel arches, and a ground clearance of 185 mm, which give it an SUVesque persona. Silver skid plates, squared body cladding, and distinctive LED inserts also contribute to its butch and robust appearance. And despite its compact size, the Exter's design stands out, incorporating smart detailing and expressive features. But while the Exter looks attractive from the front, it’s not as well rounded towards the rear. The 15-inch dual-tone alloys add a touch of style to the profile, but the rear three-quarter view is impacted by a thick C-pillar. And the rear end also appears compromised in order to fit into the tight dimensions, as if it was crashed into by a truck. The design language of the slightly smaller and slightly quirkier Hyundai Casper — that’s on sale in the international markets — could’ve looked better on the Exter perhaps, but it is something that we might never know for sure.

Hyundai Exter Interiors 

The interiors of the Exter will feel familiar if you have ever sat in a Grand i10 Nios or Aura, with most of the elements bearing the same design. However, where the other two have a lighter themed cabin, the Exter boasts an all black interior theme. The dashboard is neatly laid out and gets many nifty touches, such as circular AC vents, textured finishes, and a glossy housing for the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment. Quality of materials and fit and finish levels are also high. It also gets fabric seats which look and feel premium. 

Where the quality score is already high, the practicality score is even higher. There are large doorbins in all doors, front seats also get two cup holders, and there's also a slot to stow small items like your phone or wallet above the large cooled glove box. You also get a wireless phone charger in the centre console, which is one of the many features the Exter packs. Perhaps the only two misses on the inside would be adjustable headrests for the front passengers, and a foldable armrest for the rear passengers. The 391-litre boot is also generous and can easily pack a weekend’s luggage.

Hyundai Exter Comfort 

The Exter excels in absorbing and handling bumps with finesse, thanks to the suspension rework compared to the Grand i10 Nios, and the 185 mm ground clearance results in a sophisticated driving experience. Body movement is well-controlled, and the Exter feels stable even at higher speeds. The seats are well cushioned and provide great support, ensuring comfort over longer drives too. However, thanks to the narrow cabin, three abreast on the rear bench will be a squeeze.

Hyundai Exter Performance and handling

Powered by Hyundai's 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine which does duties on the Grand i10 Nios and the Aura too, the Exter impresses with its smooth and refined performance. The engine is very commuter friendly, and refinement is one of the key areas it excels in. Once it passes 2,500 RPM it gets wind in its sails, but the performance isn’t what you’d call spritely. Driving in the city doesn’t leave one wanting more from the engine, and it is only when you go chasing triple digit speeds that you’d find the performance to be suboptimal. Light throttle response is also good, making stop start traffic a smooth experience. 

The engine can be had with either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT gearbox (petrol variants only). The clutch action on the manual is light and easy, and even the gearshifts don’t require much effort. In fact, the manual gearbox is so effortless that you don’t need to spend the extra money for an AMT. The Exter’s handling manners are also neutral and predictable, with minimal roll around corners. However, what it is not, is a sporty handler.

Hyundai Exter Key specifications 

Hyundai Exter Safety Features

Similar to creature comforts, the Exter packs in loads of safety features as well. Six airbags are standard across variants. In fact, Hyundai has made a minimum of six airbags standard in all cars in its stable, across variants. Other routine safety features are also a part of the package, like ABS, EBD, ESC, and seat belt pretensioners. The Exter also gets 3-point seat belts and seat belt reminders for all passengers, and ISOFIX child seat mounts as well. 

Hyundai Exter Technology and Infotainment

In typical Hyundai fashion, the Exter is loaded to the gills with features, despite its price, and one welcome addition is a big 8-inch touchscreen infotainment unit, which is larger than all of its key rivals. The screen also gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but both need your phone to be plugged in via USB, which is a shame since this tiny car also gets a wireless phone charger! Yes, asking for wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay from a micro SUV would be too much, but the Exter already packs so much that you crave for that last one bit. It also gets a 4.2-inch multi-information display on the instrument cluster, which displays basic information in a clean layout. The MID is flanked by a digital LCD tachometer and speedometer on either side, giving the instrument cluster a clean look.

Is the Hyundai Exter for you?

Priced attractively, the Hyundai Exter delivers strong value. And despite lacking a sporty driving feel and a cabin width suitable for three passengers at the back, the Exter's user-friendly nature, spacious cabin and boot, and extensive features make it a well-rounded offering. But for everything that the Exter offers, its rivals also come close on, if not beat the Exter. Picking one from the pack would end up being more of a personal decision, based on the appearance of the car and experience while driving than anything else.