[Car Review] Hyundai Exter: Compact “Mini Santa Fe” Enters Vietnam Market, Competing Against Sonet, VF5

In the world of cars, the popularity of high-riding models has been on the rise. This trend has swept across different markets, including Vietnam, where we see the introduction of names like VinFast VF 5 and Kia Sonet. Not to be left behind, Hyundai, a renowned Korean brand, has also entered the game. In the Indian market, the Hyundai Tata joint venture has launched the Exter, a formidable competitor to the Kia Sonet. It is likely that Thanh Cong Group will soon import this small high-riding model to Vietnam, following its previous actions with the i10 and Creta. Before that happens, let’s take a look at how Indian experts are evaluating this car.

First and foremost, it’s worth noting that the Hyundai Exter is designed as a “power supplement” model to maintain sales for the Grand i10, as the trend of using high-riding cars becomes more popular. The Exter is priced between 600,000 – 932,000 Rupee (equivalent to about 172 – 266 million VND) and offers options for petrol or CNG liquefied gas engines, as well as manual or automatic transmissions. This attractive price segment presents a lot of potential for a small high-riding car.

Aside from its compact size, the Hyundai Exter also stands out with its unique design and style. Designed to appeal to young customers with a keen eye for aesthetics, the Exter features a square, strong, and modern SUV style with many fresh features. Its familiar H-shaped demi LED headlight cluster, reminiscent of the Santa Fe, adds to its boxy appearance. The square grille with modern honeycomb details complements the front, giving the Exter a solid and sturdy look.

The Hyundai Exter’s body is relatively tall, with a ground clearance of 185 mm. It sits on 15-inch double-spoke wheels that come in two modern and beautiful colors. The car’s black textured plastic side skirts, eye-catching gray splitters, and standing C-pillar contribute to its sportiness and provide additional interior space for rear passengers. The roof is equipped with convenient roof racks and a shark fin antenna.

The rear design of the Hyundai Exter mirrors its front, with H-shaped brake lights and rear parking sensors accompanied by a reverse camera. In India, the Exter shares its chassis platform with the Grand i10 Nios and has an overall width of 3.8m. While it is shorter, shorter, and narrower than the hatchback version, it has an increased wheelbase of 5mm to 2,450mm. This, along with its boxy design, ensures that the Exter provides a spacious interior compared to its competitors in the same segment.

Stepping inside the car, consumers will find the Hyundai Exter to be quite familiar. The entire design and interior equipment from the A-segment hatchback i10 model have been “upgraded” to the Exter. The steering wheel, dashboard, screen, and other elements are all made of high-quality plastic materials, giving a solid and premium feel. The steering wheel and gear lever are wrapped in leather, providing a luxurious grip. The instrument cluster behind the steering wheel takes the form of a screen, while the 8-inch entertainment screen integrates with Apple CarPlay / Android Auto. Other notable features include wireless charging, a type-C port, LED lights, cruise control, and a sunroof.

With its spacious interior, comfortable seats, and ample legroom, the Hyundai Exter offers a comfortable experience for individuals of average height. The seats are designed to provide a snug fit and give a sense of comfort. The rear seat features a sloping seat and backrest, offering a comfortable sitting posture for rear passengers.

Although the Exter lacks armrests for both the front and rear seats, it compensates with a vent and a charging port for the second row. The car also has numerous convenient and spacious storage compartments. The luggage compartment offers a volume of up to 391 L, making it one of the largest in its segment. Additionally, the rear seat can be folded 60:40 to increase storage space when needed.

In India, the Hyundai Exter is equipped with a 1.2L naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine that delivers 82 horsepower and 114 Nm of torque. Although its specifications may not be impressive, the Exter offers a stable driving experience thanks to its lightweight construction of only 999kg. The throttle is optimized to provide responsive feedback, making it suitable for a small urban high-riding car. The acceleration is smooth and comfortable, proving the finely tuned transmission.

With a ground clearance of 185 mm, the Hyundai Exter has a redesigned suspension compared to its low-riding counterpart, the i10. It handles speed bumps and potholes with ease, providing a smooth and comfortable ride. The extended wheelbase improves the driving experience, making the car feel more solid than the low-riding version. The Exter’s steering wheel is light, easy to control, and offers a good turning radius. Overall, the Exter is a strong competitor in its segment, offering beautiful design, spaciousness, generous equipment, and a comfortable driving experience at a reasonable price.

Source: AutoCar India