Hyundai Exter: The Hyundai Exter is Hyundai’s answer to the rapidly increasing popularity of the compact crossover segment, which combines stylish designs with convenience.

Smaller than the Venue, the Exter has an SUV-like personality in a more city friendly size.

Loaded with contemporary design, competitive features and Hyundai’s proven technology, the Exter is designed for Urban Indian customers looking for something with a young and cool appeal Its mature yet sporty nature helps differentiate it from others.

Eye-Catching and Compact

What jumps out right at you about the Exter is its design. It has a tall bumper, flat bonnet and squared-off wheel arches that make it look like a real SUV, something it’s not, because it’s based on a hatchback. The front fascia receives H-shaped LED DRLs, a massive grille and a meaty bumper.

The flanks get hefty cladding and roof rails to help reinforce its rugged appeal.

The Exter doesn’t appear small either, for as much as a small camera can look, but it is small in size. Rather, it has a bold road presence for its size, something which speaks to younger, style-focused buyers in particular.

Smartly Designed Cabin

Climb in, and the Exter by surprise has a fair amount of space and practicality.

The cabin is well designed with nice legroom and headroom for a car of its class. The front and rear seats are supportive and the overall layout looks a bit more upscale than you’d think in a vehicle in this segment.

The dashboard features an 8-inch touchscreen, which supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a digital instrument cluster and other goodies like voice commands and connected car tech in more expensive trims.

Boot space is decent for day-to-day or short journeys and there’s plenty of cubbies and holders to deal with life’s ephemera.

The rear seat provides room for two adults with sufficient space but a three-abreast squeeze. Hyundai makes smart use of the interior space and this is one practical city runabout.

Efficient and Easy to Drive

Under the bonnet of the Exter is the 1.2-litre petrol engine which is fairly unburstable. It provides adequate performance for city commuting and the occasional highway runs although only with the manual and AMT (automated manual transmission) options.

The engine is lively, and does not strain under normal use, but it’s not aimed at performance driving.

Hyundai also provides a CNG model from the factory, a move which can save a lot of money to the cab drivers. Fuel economy numbers are pretty good as well, particularly for the CNG variant, making the Exter a cost-effective proposition in the long run.

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Safety and Features

Hyundai has not skimped on safety. The Exter is offered with six airbags as standard across most trims, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensor and camera, ESC and hill assist features on higher trims.

These attributes bestow it a safety edge over numerous competitors in its segment. It has a lengthy list of features for its class, which is indicative of Hyundai’s philosophy to provide great value at every level.

Pros

Robust and stylish SUV-like design

Petrol and CNG options are frugal on fuel

Spacy and handy cabin inasmuch as it is a compact car

Packed with contemporary technology and safety features

Easy to drive in city traffic

Cons

Performance might be lackluster on the highway

Back seat room for adult passenger two closest to other adult passenger

Boot room is average for a bigger hatchback

AMT is not as smooth as a full automatic

Hyundai Exter: Verdict

The Hyundai Exter would be perfect for urban India — smart, compact, efficient and packed with features.

Though it won’t delight need-for-speed enthusiasts or provide roomy cabins, it punches the right buttons for urbanites and first-time car shoppers. For those looking for SUV style and modern convenience without an SUV price tag, the Exter would seem to make a strong case.