We recently got our hands on the Hyundai Exter 1,2 Executive Manual to bring you this review.
If we had a dollar for every time we wrote the term ‘small SUV’ in the last few years, we’d have enough money to buy one of these cars that seems to be all the rage. The small SUV, or crossover as we sometimes prefer, have taken over from the ubiquitous hatchback as the body style of choice for SA new car buyers. Just about every automaker has options in this segment. Not offering such a model can really impact your monthly sales figures. Hyundai SA says that the segment accounted for almost 40 per cent of new car sales in 2024.
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Covering the Bases
Few OEMs cover the SUV segment the way that Hyundai does. Half the Korean automaker’s local passenger car range is made up of SUVs. The various offerings give buyers an option at just about any price point. At the very top of the range in the premium Palisade. And at the other end of the spectrum is the Exter, the subject of this review, which slots in below the Venue as the new entry point to Hyundai crossover ownership.
Stylistic Standout
The small SUV segment is chock-full of options from across the world. Some tend to blur into the sea of similar models on offer. The same can’t be said of the Hyundai Exter. This little car has a unique appearance. We found that it doesn’t quite have the familial appearance of its larger siblings. However, the brand’s new ‘H’ motif is applied to the head- and taillamps. Sharp lines down the flanks and a squared-off stance are other characteristics. The Executive and Elite versions ride on 15-inch alloys with a polished face.
When we first saw the Hyundai Exter in images from its international debut we thought it is a much larger vehicle than it turned out to be in reality. The crossover does not cast a large footprint. It is 3 815 mm long, 1 710 mm wide and just about 1,6 metres high. The wheelbase is just under 2,5 metres and the Exter has a decent 185 mm of ground clearance. The exterior dimensions, naturally, have an impact on interior space.
Cabin
The Exter cabin is a sea of dark materials, from the seats to the trim. However, the darkness is countered by, what feels like, a large greenhouse, which bathes the cabin in light thus making it feel quite airy. The dark plastics are of the harder, scratchier variety. It must be said, though, that the cabin felt well screwed together. There was no hint of creaking or squeaking.
Sited in the centre of the facia is a touchscreen infotainment interface (if only we had a dollar for every time we wrote that, we’d be stinking rich). The system features the usually connectivity options and, in this derivative, acts as the display for the rear-facing camera. Hyundai also offers both shapes of USB port, which is handy. The instrument cluster is also digital and even features a tyre pressure monitoring system. Oh, manual air-conditioning is also standard.
The driver’s seat is height adjustable, although the front passenger chair isn’t. The rear bench feels quite upright and we would not place good, adult friends on it for a long journey. At any rate, the boot volume isn’t massive, Hyundai quotes 290 litres, so packing space is a little limited. We also found it a little odd that the rear-seat backrest folds down as a single unit. It does not split, so you can either have rear seat passengers or an extended luggage area, not a combination of the two.
One Engine
The Hyundai Exter is available locally with just one engine option. It is a 1,2-litre four-cylinder petrol unit. This naturally aspirated motor produces 61 kW of power and peak torque of 114 N.m. This engine is the main grip we have with this budget offering. Our test unit is fitted with a five-speed manual transmission. Furthermore, Hyundai offers an automated manual transmission (AMT), also with five gear ratios. T
he engine really does need to be worked to make swift progress. When you do rev it out it gets quite vocal. This is especially true at freeways speeds, where you have to mash the gas pedal to make fast overtakes. We found that a cruising speed of an indicated 110 km/h was far easier on the ears and on fuel consumption than having to maintain the national speed limit on the open road. And keep in mind that we drive at sea level. These issues will be more pronounced at altitude, which is where most new cars are sold in SA.
The right quality is perfectly acceptable for this type of vehicle. We’d say it rides rather well, probably due to the large sidewalls fitted to the 15-inch alloys. The electrically assisted steering is mostly lifeless and could, perhaps offer more self-centering action when manoeuvring. But the dynamic repertoire is largely without flaw. Hyundai claims this powertrain combo will sip 5,9 litres of unleaded per 100 km. We just managed to dip below the 7-litre mark during our loan period.
Summary
The Exter’s pricing starts at R269 000 and rises to just shy of R335k, which is a pretty handy place to be competing. At 290k, the subject of this test comes in under the three hundred thousand threshold, which seems to be where many people are shopping. The brand also offers its longevity in the market as well as an enviable reputation for reliability. Both hallmarks that some of the newcomer brands can’t boast. The Exter is a largely agreeable vehicle that will probably be well suited to a young professional, rather than a small family. But hey, should you need a larger SUV, Hyundai has you pretty much covered.
Model: Hyundai Exter 1,2 Executive Manual
Price: R289 900
Engine: 1,2-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Transmission: five-speed manual, FWD
Max power: 61 kW
Max torque: 114 N.m
0-100 km/h: 12,6 sec
Top speed: 165 km/h
Fuel consumption: 5,7 L/100 km (6,9 during review period)