The compact SUV segment has seen phenomenal growth over the past two years. With huge profits raked in by the Duster and EcoSport for its respective car makers, other manufacturers are slowly jumping the bandwagon. Hyundai’s entry into the compact SUV segment of the Indian market will be the Creta.
Although Hyundai is yet to launch the Creta, the South Korean car maker’s SUV has already been on sale in many parts of the world for quite sometime now. We take a look at what the Hyundai Creta has to offer against the Ford EcoSport, one of the most popular cars of the segment.
Design:
Hyundai Creta:
The Hyundai Creta borrows heavily from its bigger brother, the Santa Fe. The South Korean SUV’s aerodynamic profile, aggressive headlight design and 17 inch diamond cut alloys all add to its upmarket feel. Hyundai’s Fluidic Sculpture design philosophy has done wonders to its SUVs. While past models were awkward and ungainly in size and posture, its new off-roaders including the Creta are far more appealing.
Ford EcoSport:
While many consider the EocSport to be quite a formidable SUV, its rather stubby wheels, short, fat stature do not add to the American SUV’s aesthetic appeal. The EcoSport SUV’s exterior may be striking, however, it is in no way the prettiest car in its segment.
Winner: Hyundai Creta
Interior:
Hyundai Creta:
Hyundai’s strictly adheres to its Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design philosophy. The Creta’s cabin is based off the same design language and once again borrows heavily from its elder sibling. The second iteration of the car maker’s design language brings order to the mix. Although the Creta’s interior is a stunning mix of sharp cuts and curves, it also emanates an aura of structure that provides restraint and a bit of sophistication. The inclusion of a media-nav system and a touchscreen display makes the Creta one of the best equipped cars in this segment.
Ford EcoSport:
Ford’s strategy with the EocSport was to provide the most pocket friendly SUV out there. As a result, compromises had to be made. Although Ford’s infotainment system packs some impressive features, the small monochrome display and the rather difficult to reach button layout is quite inconvenient for the driver to control the settings. The sub 4m requirement has also resulted in a small cabin.
Winner: Hyundai Creta
Engine:
Hyundai Creta:
The Hyundai Creta will be offered with three engines. Petrol variants of the Creta will be powered by a 1.6 l four cylinder engine that churns out 122 hp. The SUV’s diesel engine lineup include a 1.4 l and a more powerful 1.6 l engine. The 1.4 l oil burner produces 89 hp while the 1.6 l diesel mill puts out an impressive 127 hp. The 1.6 l diesel variant will be offered with both manual and automatic while the other two engines are offered in manual format only.
Ford EcoSport:
One of the biggest selling points of the EcoSport was its 1.0 l EcoBoost petrol engine. Producing an impressive 123 hp @ 6000 RPM and 170 Nm of torque at 1400 RPM, the 1.0 l EcoBoost engine is one of Ford’s most technologically advanced engines it has ever created. Ford also offers the EcoSport with a 1.5 l petrol and 1.5 l TDCi diesel mill. The 1.5 l Ti-VCT petrol mill churns out 109 bhp @ 6300 RPM and a peak torque of 140 Nm @ 4400 RPM while its diesel equivalent produces 89 bhp @ 3750 RPM and 204 Nm of torque @ 2000 RPM.
Winner: Draw
Verdict:
Although the Ford EcoSport was touted to be a game changer back in 2013, the lack of supply to meet the immense demand dealt a huge blow to the car’s sales figures. Despite the manufacturer did putting its Chennai plant into full swing to make up for lost time, the damage had already been done.
With the Creta, Hyundai ups the ante once more. Hopefully the South Korean car maker will not make the same mistakes its American rival committed and will prepare its manufacturing and assembly plants well in advance for the onslaught of bookings.