Hyundai Creta

• The base 1.5L naturally aspirated engine produces 113hp of power and 144 Nm of torque, paired with a CVT. This is sufficient for city and highway driving. Real-world fuel consumption sits around 17.8 km/litre.

• The 1.5L turbo offers 157 hp of power and 143 Nm torque, and gets a 7-speed DCT. That extra power makes a noticeable difference. The dual-clutch transmission shifts quickly and responsively. This engine is for drivers wanting more spirited performance without sacrificing practicality.

• The ground clearance is 190 mm, which is enough for normal driving and light rough surfaces.

• Both engines offer multiple driving modes, including Eco, Normal and Sport. These modes change throttle response and transmission behaviour to suit the variety of terrains

• There\'s no all-wheel-drive option; it is front-wheel drive. The focus is on practical everyday use, not terrain capability.

Some honest limitations: 

• The naturally aspirated engine feels adequate but leisurely, not the quickest. The acceleration is light. 

• The turbocharged option feels significantly quicker, but you lose out on mileage 

• Wind noise at highway speeds above 130 km/h is present.

• The suspension is comfort-tuned, with emphasis on smoothness over sportiness.

• On smooth highways and city streets, the suspension feels compliant. The small bumps are dealt with easily. Even on a long stretch of drive, you won’t feel tired easily, and this makes it a delightful SUV to take for a long drive.

• The steering feels responsive and light, which means dealing with crowded city roads or congested lanes are easy to handle. The body control through corners is stable. Electronic stability control works effectively in the background.

• The upright driving position and good glass area provide excellent outward sight lines. The rear parking sensors and 360-degree cameras on higher trims ease reversing at tight spots. Despite a mid-size SUV parking is simple and quite straightforward, something greatly beneficial in everyday use. 

• Wind and road noise at highway speeds are managed well; most users will not even feel much of it.

• All standard driving assist features work well. Lane departure warning and lane-keeping assist work effectively. Forward collision warning detects objects ahead. Emergency braking activates automatically if collision risk is high and prevents accidents. 

• Adaptive cruise control maintains a distance from vehicles ahead. Blind spot warning alerts you to vehicles in your blind spots. These safety systems add genuine peace of mind on highways.

Honest observations: 

• The suspension is comfort-tuned, not performance-tuned; harsh speed bumps are felt more than in premium vehicles. 

• The 1.5L naturally aspirated engine shows noticeable lack of punch compared to the turbocharged variant. But most drivers won't find that concerning. 

• The dual 10.25-inch display setup is impressive for the price segment. One screen handles infotainment and navigation. The other shows trip information and vehicle status, and both are quite user-friendly. The navigation integrates smoothly with real-time traffic information, which helps a lot. 

• Seating is comfortable, and on higher trims, ventilated front seats are offered for summer comfort in KSA. The leather seats on the top variants are high quality and durable. All variants have spacious and adequate headroom, legroom, and shoulder room. The interior feels larger than the exterior dimensions suggest.

• The 480-litre boot is adequate for weekly shopping and weekend needs, or anything else in between for an average-sized family. The rear seats fold 60/40, expanding cargo space when needed. Inside storage is equally noteworthy and practical. Cupholders, door pockets, and centre console compartments. The electric sunroof on higher trims opens up the cabin.

• Climate control is effective, as expected for an SUV of this kind. The manual AC is on base models, automatic on higher trims. The system cools the cabin efficiently even in extreme Saudi heat. Rear AC vents ensure rear passengers get cooling.

• Audio and entertainment are taken care of by the BOSE audio system, which delivers high-quality sound. The acoustic hood reduces engine noise effectively. The overall cabin impression is modern practicality rather than luxury pretension.

• The structure uses high-tensile steel with effective crumple zones, and this engineering absorbs and distributes crash energy effectively.

• The Creta gets 6 airbags, covering the front side and side curtain airbags for comprehensive protection. ABS with electronic brake-force distribution prevents wheel lockup. Vehicle stability control helps prevent skids.

• An electronic parking brake with brake hold function is standard. Hill-start assist helps on inclines. Rear ISOFIX anchors protect younger passengers. Three-point seatbelts with pre-tensioning are standard across all seats.

• The Hyundai SmartSense safety suite on higher trims includes: forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning with lane-keeping assist, blind spot detection with collision-avoidance assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. These systems work effectively and prevent real accidents.

• Driver fatigue monitoring detects drowsy driving and alerts you. Traffic sign recognition displays speed limits on your dashboard. The 360-degree camera system provides comprehensive parking assistance.

• Tire pressure monitoring keeps you informed of pressure changes. Adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist reduces highway stress.

Things to note

• The Creta prioritises occupant protection through engineering and active systems. 

• While independent crash testing is developing, the structural approach is proven.