Yes, the beautiful province of Cebu. Known for danggit, dried mangoes, lechon, and everything else beyond food, Cebu has become a backdrop for an important trip, courtesy of Hyundai Motor Philippines.
For this drive, we were given the chance to get behind the wheel of the two entry-level models of the revamped Hyundai lineup: the Creta and the Stargazer. But since we’ve already had an experience with the Stargazer before its official launch last year, I focused on the Creta subcompact crossover.
We spent a good amount of time driving the Creta within the heavy traffic of Cebu City, the mountainous parts of the island, and then finally to Mactan, through sunshine, rain, fog, and everything in between. Admittedly, the drive was too short for me to give you a full take on the Creta, but it’s enough for me to point out things that I liked about the car. And of course, like I always say, there isn’t one perfect car, so there are also things that I think can be improved.
But first a bit of trivia. Did you know that this isn’t the first time that Hyundai actually brought in the Creta nameplate? Around five years ago, the brand’s former distributor launched the Creta but didn’t sell it… because it was too pricey then. This time, since the Creta is now being imported from Indonesia, it’s competitively priced which brings us to the first thing I like about this car: the price.
PROs
Pricing
The Hyundai Creta starts at P1,048,000 and ceilings at P1,388,000. You might say that this is pricey but considering that it’s already loaded with a great amount of tech, it’s actually a great deal already, especially when compared to its rivals in the segment. This brings us to…
Hyundai SmartSense
The Hyundai SmartSense is the second thing I like about the Creta. The suite of tech and safety features includes lane keeping assist, lane following assist, hill start assist, blindspot collision-avoidance assist, forward collision-avoidance assist, and rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist. This car has so many driver-assist features, John Stockton will probably love this car.
While some might say that the tech features can be intrusive sometimes, they’re still great to have especially when you need them.
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Another tech feature and a pro, wireless Apple CarPlay is pretty convenient since you don’t need to have a cable to seamlessly connect your phone to the car. Waze, Spotify, Zoom, etc – those apps are immediately accessible, which is great. I just wish there was a wireless charging feature so it’s a perfect combination.
Front Design
I like the Creta’s front exterior design. It’s like a baby Tucson, with the headlights integrated into the grille. It’s definitely unique and makes a statement. In fact, cover the slanted H badge up front and you’ll still know that it’s a Hyundai; you’re just not sure if it’s a Creta or a Tucson.
Of note, the Creta has two “rows” of lights up front, while the Tucson has three.
Fuel Consumption
Considering that we went through twisties, highways, city traffic, and many more, we got an average fuel efficiency reading of around 10-11 km/L. That’s after a whole day of driving and is actually great considering the things we went through.
Cabin Layout & Design
I love how the Creta’s layout in the cabin. Cubbyholes and cupholders are easily accessible, there are so many storage points for the driver and passengers. There are even USB charging ports for rear passengers, plus multi-directional A/C vents. Plus that brown interior accent, sorry, cognac, looks really great and bodes well with this crossover’s appeal.
Cabin Space
The Creta is relatively roomy considering that it’s a small “SUV.” I stand at 5’6” and I was surprised to be given ample legroom, wiggle-room, and headroom. Even a third passenger at the back would be fine, while tall passengers won’t have any issue with the space above their heads.
Handling
Lastly, I love the Creta’s handling. It is a small crossover that felt small to drive, which is great because it’s nimble and easy to use especially in tight traffic situations. On twisties, it behaved well and can be easily thrown at corners. It was relatively comfortable while doing these maneuvers, too, with minimal body rolls.
CONs
Transmission
Now, on to the cons. The Hyundai Creta is powered by a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated Smartstream engine paired with an Intelligent Variable Transmission, which is an evolved version of CVT. Power outputs are 113 hp and 144 Nm of torque.
Those numbers aren’t lacking. They’re more than enough actually. But the first thing that I think can be improved is the Creta’s power delivery, which is through the transmission. It tends to lean on being thrifty so you really have to step on it to get a satisfying pull. Sure, you can switch to Sport mode but that will mean more fuel to burn.
Taillights
Honestly, the Creta’s taillights are not my cup of tea – a personal take. I spent a lot of time staring at it since we’re a convoy during the drive and it didn’t grow on me.
However, I must say this, we can’t change the fact that the Creta’s rear lights bring character to the crossover, especially with the sea of small SUVs that lack distinction. Again, cover those badges and you’ll still know that it’s a Creta when viewed from the rear.
Hyundai Stargazer
And of course, the other con is the other car we drove in Cebu: the Hyundai Stargazer. The Creta and the Stargazer are within the same price range – starting at just a hair over P1 million and adding around a hundred thousand for each trim level. Beyond the similar pricing, they also have the same engine, transmission, and more or less similar set of tech and safety features.
But the Stargazer has two more seats, lots roomier, and caters more to a bigger family. As far as the Creta is concerned, that’s a con. But for Hyundai, that’s definitely a pro.