Hyundai India is now selling the updated Hyundai Exter in India. Prices go from 5.80 lakh to 9.42 lakh rupees (this price is at the showroom), and the updates include more than 25 changes to how it looks, the interior, its features and safety. The engine and other mechanical parts are the same as before.
Launch Details and Market Positioning
The refreshed Exter is doing well, with over 200,000 sold in India since it first came out. Hyundai says this updated version is for people in towns and cities, and young families, giving them a more up-to-date style and a nicer interior, but the basic engine parts haven’t been altered.
Hyundai has also given the Exter the same names for its different versions as they use on their newer models. The price changes aren’t huge compared to the old model; they mostly reflect the cosmetic improvements and the extra equipment, not any changes to the engines.
Exterior Changes and Design Enhancements
The look of the Exter is now more confident and stands a bit taller, with a wider grille that’s all black, changed bumper details and a new strip in the middle. The “Exter” name on the back is now connected to the LED daytime running lights, making the front look cleaner, although the lights themselves are unchanged.
When you look at the side, you’ll see thicker plastic around the wheel arches, new 15-inch alloy wheels that have a diamond-cut effect, and new decorations on the C-pillars. At the rear, a spoiler that’s split into two parts and a redesigned tailgate give it a sportier appearance. There are also two new colors available, Golden Bronze and Titanium Black Matte, to give buyers more options.
Interior Upgrades and Comfort Features
Inside, the quality feels better thanks to a navy blue and gray color scheme, and a dashboard finish that looks like 3D carbon fiber. The seats have new, part-fabric beige covers with improved textures, and the driver now has a folding armrest for more comfort when driving.
The way things are set up for the driver has been slightly improved in useful ways: you can now adjust the seat height and the headrests in the back are adjustable on all versions. The steering wheel is D-shaped, the pedals are metal, and the interior trim is of a higher quality, making the Exter feel more luxurious.
Technology, Connectivity and Safety
Hyundai has added equipment including a dashcam (which is the first in its class to be built-in), and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay (you’ll need a separate adapter for the wireless connection). The Exter now has a USB Type-C port for people in the back, and it can use over 60 Bluelink connected car features, as well as more than 300 voice commands that don’t need an internet connection.
Safety is still important, with six airbags, electronic stability control, hill-start assist and central locking all included as standard. More expensive versions have extra features like a reversing camera and automatic headlights. Maps and the infotainment system can be updated wirelessly to keep the software up to date.
Powertrain, Practicality and Variants
Under the hood, the Exter still uses the 1.2-liter four-cylinder Kappa petrol engine that produces 83 hp and 114 Nm of torque, and you can have it with a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT (automatic manual transmission). Hyundai says this is the only four-cylinder petrol engine in the small SUV class that runs smoothly.
You can still get the Exter with a Hy-CNG Duo system, which has two cylinders and runs on petrol and compressed natural gas, producing 69 hp and 95 Nm. It also maximizes the space in the boot (the area for luggage). Petrol versions have a boot capacity of 391 liters, while CNG versions have 225 liters. With the CNG versions, the spare wheel is now located under the car to make the boot more practical.
This updated Exter is designed to be even more attractive to buyers because of its specific styling, better quality materials in the interior, and useful new features, while still having the engines people are familiar with that are good on fuel. If you’re looking for a small SUV with newer technology and more comfort that doesn’t cost too much, the new Exter is a strong contender.
