Compact Champion?

Can Hyundai’s compact SUV/crossover, the Creta, be another success story for the South Koreans? CHARLES THOMPSON got behind the wheel.

- Charles Thompson

Pravin Gordhan’s delivering his annual budget speech as I drive to the launch of Hyundai’s latest vehicle, the Creta. If I’m listening to the subtext correctly, poor old Pravin will have to pull another rabbit out of a hat to keep the numbers out of the red.

The rand and the economy are in my head again the next morning while Hyundai’s sales and operations director, Stanley Anderson, fires off some numbers. It’s no secret that many vehicle manufacturers, especially those who have to import vehicles, are suffering in the current economic climate.

But that’s not the case with Hyundai. Despite a slumping economy they’ve actually managed to grow their market share, with the Tucson selling so well that it owns 20% of its segment, where it competes with popular names like the Toyota RAV and Volkswagen Tiguan.

Overseas, it’s already going well with the Creta, Hyundai’s new competitor in the segment for small SUVs and crossovers, with 10 000 vehicles sold every month in India.

Under the hood 

Two engines are available for the South African Creta – a 1.6-litre petrol developing 90 kW power and 150 Nm torque, and a 1.6-litre diesel with 94 kW power and 260 Nm torque. The petrol engine is available in manual and automatic (both with six gears), while the flagship diesel is only paired to the autobox. It’s also the first vehicle in its class to offer a diesel auto model.