Hyundai Creta

The Hyundai Creta, also known as Hyundai ix25, is a subcompact crossover SUV produced by the South Korean manufacturer Hyundai since 2014 mainly for emerging markets, particularly BRICS. It is manufactured by Beijing Hyundai, Hyundai India, Hyundai Brazil, Hyundai Rus and Algeria's TMC. It was first seen as a thinly veiled "concept" at Auto China (in Beijing) in April 2014.

The vehicle was named after the Crete island in Greece. The name is also intended to suggest connections with "creative". In the Dominican Republic, it is called the Hyundai Cantus because in the said country the word "creta" is used to describe the labia minora.

For developed markets like South Korea, North America, Europe and Australia, the Creta is not offered to make way for the more advanced Kona.

First generation (GS/GC; 2014)
Intended to be a global model for emerging markets, the vehicle debuted in 2014 Beijing Motor Show in April 2014 in a near-production concept guise called the ix25 Concept. The production version went on sale in China in October 2014. The model was later also rolled out for production in India, where it went on sale on July 2015 as the Creta. The Creta is based on the Hyundai's new design concept called the Fluidic Sculpture 2.0.

China
The production model had its premier at Chengdu, in August 2014, and it went on sale in China two months later. The ix25 for the Chinese market is available with 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre petrol engines mated either to a 6-speed manual or an automatic transmission. It is available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

India
The Creta went on sale in India in 21 July 2015, produced at the Chennai plant. At launch, the Creta is available in a choice of three engines — a 1.6-litre petrol, a 1.4 or a 1.6-litre diesel from the Verna. A 6-speed manual transmission will be standard across all variants, with only the 1.6 diesel SX+ variant getting the option of a 6-speed automatic. The engine options was spread to six trim levels, which are Base, S, S+, SX, SX+ and the top-spec SX (O).

The Creta SX is also offered with a dual tone red and black or a white and black exterior color options. The SX dual tone variant is powered by a 1.6-liter gasoline or a diesel engine without any automatic transmission option.

For select trims, the Creta is equipped including Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hillstart Assist Control (HAC), Rear Parking Assist System, and ABS. The six airbag system provides all round protection. One for the driver, one for the front seat passenger, front and rear curtain airbags running the length of the cabin, plus front side airbags. Hyundai also claimed the vehicle is built with HIVE body structure, which signifies structural strength.

By November 2015, the vehicle has registered over 70,000 bookings in India and 15,770 worldwide. By August 2017, more than 200,000 Creta was sold in the country.

Brazil
The Creta was launched in Brazil in December 2016 with deliveries started in January 2017. The Brazilian Creta is produced in Piracicaba plant alongside the HB20, with the codename GSb.

Engine options offered are the 1.6-litre Gamma petrol engine which produces 130 PS and 16.5 kgm of torque, and the new 2.0-litre Nu petrol engine capable of 166 PS and 20.5 kgm, both with double variable valve timing, start-stop engine system, and ethanol-compatible. Both engines are paired with 6-speed automatic transmission, with the 1.6-litre also offered with 6-speed manual transmission.

Russia
Production of the Creta commences in Hyundai Saint Petersburg plant in August 2016 to supply Russia and other CIS markets. The assembly of the car takes place on the same production line of the plant along with the Solaris model. The model is claimed to be specially adapted for Russian conditions. It is sold in three trim levels, with two choices of petrol engines: 1.6-litre capable of 123 PS and 2.0-litre with 149 PS of power output, with front or all-wheel drive.

The Creta has been the best-selling SUV in the country since its introduction.

Facelift
The refreshed version was released in China in August 2017, India in May 2018, and Brazil in July 2019. It received a cosmetic update which include an updated front bumper with a large hexagonal chrome-lined grille and a new rear bumper. It also features new headlamps and taillamps, new bumpers, and new wheel design. The Brazilian Creta also received a newly designed rear LED taillights. The Chinese version received an altered front bumper design compared to the Indian and Brazilian version.

The Russian version received a minor change in April 2020. Unlike the other Creta versions, the changes in the Russian Creta were kept minimal as the front end only received a new grille design.

Second generation (SU2; 2019)
The second generation Hyundai ix25 was revealed during the 2019 Shanghai Auto Show in April 2019 and went on sale in August.

India
Hyundai had unveiled the second generation Creta in India at the Auto Expo 2020. And was introduced on 16 March 2020. The Indian-made Creta (code: SU2i) is a slightly modified version of on the Hyundai ix25 sold in China. The main visual difference at the exterior is the design of the radiator grille. While the Chinese ix25 gets mesh-type treatment for the grille, the India-spec Creta gets chromed treatment with vertical and horizontal slats forming rectangular blocks.

The interior of the Creta largely differ with the ix25 as the Chinese-spec model comes with a vertical touchscreen infotainment system that flows into the central console, while the Creta opts for a more conventional design.

The Creta for the Indian market is offered with three engine options, 1.5-litre petrol producing 113 hp and develops 144 Nm of torque and a 1.5-litre diesel engine with 113 hp and 250 Nm of torque as well as 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol 138 hp and develop 242 Nm of torque engine.

Mexico
The second generation Creta was launched in October 2020 for the Mexican market. It is offered in four trim levels: GL (manual), GLS IVT, GLS Premium and Limited Turbo. It is offered in 1.5 and 1.4-litre engines.