Hyundai has really changed how the Creta is sold for 2026 and the biggest effect is on the buyer. The SX Tech and SX(O) trims are gone, ADAS Level 2 is now only on the King, and the starting price is Rs 10.79 lakh. The price to get into a car with safety tech has shifted for people who are comparing safety to price.
Why the update matters for buyers
The SX Tech used to be a cheaper way to get ADAS Level 2, being priced between Rs 15.69 lakh and Rs 17.22 lakh. Now that the SX Tech is no longer available, those features are only in the King, which makes getting those advanced safety features about Rs 1.48 lakh more expensive.
On paper, the Creta’s range of trims is now simpler to understand: E, EX, EX(O), S(O), SX, SX Premium and the King (the highest trim). With fewer similar options, choosing a version should be easier, but because of the ADAS change, those looking for a good deal will have to decide if they can afford the most expensive version.
Here are the key changes that affect buyers most:
– ADAS now limited to the King variant
– SX Tech and SX(O) discontinued
– Lineup trimmed to seven variants
– Entry price remains Rs 10.79 lakh
Prices, hikes and discounts
Hyundai is advertising prices from Rs t 10.79 lakh to Rs 19.90 lakh (ex-showroom). Some versions are now as much as Rs 1.20 lakh more expensive after these changes, and this will most affect people who had been looking at the mid-range versions with good safety features.
There is a bit of a price reduction. Depending on the version, where you are, and what’s in stock, you could get up to Rs 1.05 lakh off. This discount could help if you were planning to buy an SX Tech with ADAS, but it won’t completely make up the difference in price to get the King.
What has been dropped
Besides the SX Tech and SX(O), Hyundai has stopped making several versions that made the selection too complicated. The S petrol and diesel with a manual gearbox, the E diesel manual, and the S(O) Knight Edition are all gone. Many special editions have also been dropped, including the King Limited 1.5 petrol CVT, King 1.5 Turbo DCT, King Limited 1.5 Turbo DCT, and King Knight diesel automatic.
Removing these trims makes the steps up the range much clearer. It also gets rid of the confusion that happened after the recent update (the “facelift”) when the SX(O) was briefly the top version until the King came out. Importantly, the Creta Summer Edition which was released last month is still available with many of the versions.
Engines and equipment unchanged
The look and engine of the Creta haven’t changed. It still has three 1.5 litre engines: a normal petrol engine producing 115 PS and 144 Nm of power, a turbo-petrol with 160 hp and 260 Nm, and a diesel engine with 116 PS and 250 Nm. You can get these with a 6-speed manual, iMT, CVT (iVT), 6-speed automatic, or a 7-speed DCT gearbox.
The King version still has the best features. It has two 10.25-inch screens, a sunroof that covers the whole roof, seats that cool you down, and climate control for both sides of the car. You also get a powered driver’s seat, interior lighting, a system that connects to the internet with over-the-air updates, an air purifier, windshield wipers that turn on when it rains, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that work without wires.
Standard safety features are still a big selling point. All versions come with six airbags, electronic stability control, traction control, a system to check your tyre pressure, and a 360-degree camera. But ADAS Level 2 is now only on the King.
What to consider before booking
If you absolutely must have ADAS, you’ll need to pay for the King trim. If you had been looking at the SX Tech for its safety features at a lower price, you’ll now need to add about Rs 1.48 lakh to your budget and see if the current Rs 1.05 lakh discount will help.
If you want a comfortable and well-equipped car without ADAS, the SX Premium now seems to be the best value. People who want a diesel engine for good fuel economy or a turbo-petrol engine for more power still have lots of engine choices. With the simpler range of versions, it should be easier to find the trim that matches what you want.
