Further proof of the dynamic leadership at Hyundai South Africa comes in the shape of this brand-new Exter mini-SUV… which was only meant for India but eventually came here on the insistence of its local retailers.
Hyundai South Africa can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with older and dearer brands, as they already had six models in their local SUV line-up: Venue, Creta, Grand Creta, Tucson, Santa Fe and Palisade; in order of price and size. The stylish Kona crossover slipped out the back door but left its manic N counterpart behind; to defend the family honour.
Not content with competing in a market where rival brands have one or two more SUV-type offerings, the local team set their sights on the Indian-market-only “Exter”, an A-SUV segment (read: pretty compact) front-wheel drive whose boxy but stylish body rests on the best bits of the brand’s excellent Grand i10 hatchback.
Built in (and initially reserved for) India
With India and its car market being tremendously similar to South Africa – from right-hand drive to occasionally dodgy roads – the peeps at Hyundai S.A. locked onto the Exter and didn’t release until they had a positive answer from HQ. What also helped is that we also have a healthy entry-level buyer base.
With slight tweaks to the suspension and gear ratios (for our more mountainous countryside), our local distributors also did a sterling job of curating two gearbox and three trim levels, culminating in five models priced between 270 and 335 thousand Rand. The brand’s amazingly long warranties and a small service plan are included in those prices.
Based on the (proven and popular) Grand i10
Now add Hyundai’s sharp new design elements (with H-pattern headlights) and a funky colour palette to produce one of the freshest newcomers to entry-level SUV motoring. Every Exter also inherited the Grand i10’s 1.2 MPi engine, 37L fuel tank, suspension setup, 4.9m turning radius and overall vehicle length of 3,815mm.
With a slightly loftier and heavier body, it’s understandable that the Exter is 75mm taller, 30mm wider and 28mm higher off the ground; with a healthy ground clearance of 185mm. Head-room and cargo space are both improved, with the Exter trumping its donor hatchback by offering 360L of luggage capacity.
While Grand i10 uses 14-inch wheels, the Exter gains an extra inch for its steelies with styled hubcabs or diamond-cut alloys. The spare is still a 14-inch wheel but, due to the extra weight, maximum payload decreases to around 440kg. As for the details of the engine, this 1,197cc in-line 4-cylinder petrol develops up to 61kW @ 6,000rpm or 114Nm at 4,000rpm.
Manual or (automated) manual gearbox
Shoving all this power to the front wheels is either a traditional 5-speed Manual gearbox or the rather odd-ball 5-speed AMT (automated manual transmission). This device is essentially the forerunner of every modern DCT/DSG but lacks their swiftness due to only having a single robotised clutch mechanism.
It’s a pity that Hyundai didn’t stick with the donor Grand i10’s traditional 4-speed torque-converter-type automatic transmission – probably due to its inferior gear count – and that the top-spec Exter Elite is only shipped with the AMT. Their fleet representatives at the launch were also extremely quick to guide all journalists to a manual vehicle…
Hence I can’t go into further details about the automatic models but it has to be noted that every single one of the Exter’s main competitors comes with exactly the same type of “automatic” gearbox. Most people will buy the manual anyway but if you can’t (or don’t) want to shift yourself, I suggest a lengthy test-drive to establish your own opinion.
High levels of (standard) specifications
Included in even the base Premium specs are items like six (yes, 6) airbags, ABS with EBD, remote central locking, ISOfix anchors and rear door child locks, rear park sensors, air-conditioning, multi-function steering wheel and a smartphone-enabled touch-screen infotainment system.
The next level up, Executive, adds alloy wheels, an adjustable steering column, cruise control, mood lighting, power folding exterior mirrors and a tyre pressure monitor. Go for the top-spec Elite and you also receive a sunroof, shift paddles, climate control, as well as the choice of two-tone paint. But remember, only with an AMT drive train.
Youthful and (cheeky) confidence
We were treated to various marketing material at the Exter’s launch near Cape Town and the message is clear: this vehicle is for young (or young at heart) folks who desire a cheeky yet confident mini-SUV with trusty tech and bold design. Another claim is great value and efficiency, with average fuel use of around 5.5 to 6L/100km.
The six available exterior colours are Fiery Red, Titan Grey, Starry Night (black), Atlas White, Cosmic Blue and Tomboy Khaki – the last three are available with a black contrast roof in Elite trim and I personally witnessed the most stunned expressions and (mostly) positive remarks about red, blue or khaki Exters.
Inside it’s a more sombre but sensible affair with very dark grey fabric, black plastic and a dash of silver in places. The media system is easy to fathom, the digital gauges not so much, and we found sufficient room for two to four adults. Lateral space is acceptable and someone bemoaned the lack of a central armrest, while praising the manual parking brake lever.
Easy and (fairly) relaxing to drive
Steering and pedal feel are super light, making the Exter as easy to pilot as its donor hatchback. For the enthusiastic drivers among us, steering feedback may seem too fluffy and the performance is… actually, amazingly good for a 1.2L 1-ton budget crossover with two overweight journos on board. Oh, and not even 1,000km on the clock.
Overtaking at highway speeds required a determined throttle application in the lowest gear possible but in everyday scenarios, like accelerating out of a slow village corner, our bright blue Exeter 1.2 Executive M/T would gently pick up the pace in third or even fourth gear… at low rpm’s and without so much as a shudder.
The sound system, radio reception, ventilation, hooter and headlights are also perfectly acceptable in what we believe is a superb addition to Hyundai’s line-up of local models. It may not have the space or power of its bigger brethren, but it has the right price and offers sufficient show and go with a decent mix of quality and toys.
Prices:
[ September 2024 ]
- Exter 1.2 Premium M/T: R269,900
- Exter 1.2 Premium AMT: R294,900
- Exter 1.2 Executive M/T: R289,900
- Exter 1.2 Executive AMT: R314,900
- Exter 1.2 Elite AMT: R334,900