HAYMAKER

Hyundai have made hay while the sun shines and delivered their haymaker. Can their smallest "SUV" deliver the knockout blow? We head to Jaipur in Rajasthan to see what it's got

- Jim Gorde

COMING UP WITH NEW NAMES THAT don't make use of letters or numbers or combinations thereof is a job by itself. Coming up with a small car that fits in everywhere and stands out of the crowd is another challenge or series of challenges-altogether.

The Hyundai Exter is a 3.8-metre-long compact crossover that pushes the SUV body-style to those who don't want an off-roader or a 4x4 or even a large rear-wheel-drive box that can do three quarters of what the aforementioned four-wheelers do. Rather, it's for those who follow trends and dance to whatever tune is being played at the time. On the flip-side of things, the real-world doesn't have roads or streets of gold like we see in the movies. There are potholes, speed humps, and disturbingly dangerous transition sections during roadworks where no one would even dream of taking a Hyundai Tiburon or even a Verna. The crossover, with its high ground clearance, short overhangs, and driving dynamics resembling those of a big hatchback, simply makes sense. And that's why they're mushrooming all over the world. With the SUV body-style dominating the scene everywhere, it's not a surprise to see more established players taking a swing.