The Creta was first launched in 2020, and at first, its futuristic looks didn’t grab me. In fact, it brought back flashbacks of ‘Parktown Prawns’ – an awful die-hard cockroach slash grasshopper insect that gave me sleepless nights when I lived in Joburg for five years. I am even pulling my face as I write this. But like the bugs, I learned to live with it, and not that the prawns grew a liking from me, but the Creta surely did.
Fast forward to 2022, and Hyundai refreshed the compact SUV, and I have to say it looks better than before. It still has more advanced styling, but that’s a direction the Korean automaker took quite some time ago. And while we thought their new cars were ahead of their time, they’re certainly fitting in right now.
When it comes to daily practicality and an excellent frugal option, the Hyundai Creta is a great choice. As a mother, artificial black leather upholstery is a blessing – although it gets terribly hot in the sun (but all cars do with this material). You’d think by the time your child is seven years old; their hands will be less sticky. Well, I have news for you, if you still have a tiny sprog, it doesn’t get any better – even when you have wet wipes and hand sanitiser at arm’s length at any given moment. The Creta’s seats are quick and easy to clean without any stains left behind.
The boot is massive
My Creta test model didn’t come with a backboard for the boot, and immediately I was concerned about leaving items in the luggage area while parked or even when driving. Luckily, the dealership where the vehicle was prepped had tinted the rear windscreen a shade or two darker than the rear windows, so there’s no chance of any peeping Toms trying their luck. And the boot is massive; fold the rear seats down, and you can easily slide in a Nissan Sentra bonnet in there like I had to do the other day (a story for another day) – it’s that big.
