Summary (Quick Take)
The Hyundai Exter is one of the most practical and stylish micro-SUVs in India right now. It combines SUV-inspired looks, a tall stance, excellent boot space, and modern features. Available in petrol and factory-fitted CNG versions, the Exter is built for Indian buyers who want a small car that still feels premium, safe, and versatile. With six airbags as standard, connected car technology, and an unbeatable 391-litre boot, it easily stands out in the segment.
Quick Spec Table
| Item | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Body Type | Micro SUV / Compact SUV |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Engine Options | 1.2L Kappa Petrol, 1.2L Petrol + Factory-fitted CNG |
| Power Output | 83 PS (Petrol), slightly lower in CNG |
| Torque | 113.8 Nm (Petrol) |
| Transmission | 5-Speed Manual, Smart Auto AMT |
| Boot Space | 391 litres (Best-in-class) |
| Ground Clearance | 185 mm |
| Dimensions (L×W×H) | 3,815 × 1,710 × 1,631 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,450 mm |
| Fuel Efficiency | ~19.2–19.4 kmpl (Petrol), ~27.1 km/kg (CNG) |
| Fuel Tank | 37 L (Petrol), 60 L water equivalent (CNG) |
| Safety Features | 6 Airbags Standard, ESC, VSM, Hill Assist, TPMS |
| Infotainment | 9-inch Touchscreen, Bluelink, Digital Cluster |
| Price Range | Competitive, depending on variant and location |
First Impressions – Who Should Buy the Hyundai Exter?
The Hyundai Exter is made for Indian families who want more than a hatchback but do not want to stretch their budget for a bigger SUV. It gives you SUV styling, excellent ground clearance, and a commanding driving position, all in a city-friendly size. It is also perfect for young professionals, small families, and buyers upgrading from entry-level hatchbacks.
Stylish Micro-SUV Appeal
From the outside, the Exter looks much bigger than it actually is. Its bold design, LED elements, roof rails, and plastic cladding give it a sporty yet premium character.
Target Audience in India
The Exter is perfect for city users who need easy parking, but also want enough luggage space for weekend trips. Families with kids and daily commuters who want good fuel efficiency will find it very practical.
Exterior Design and Road Presence
The Hyundai Exter brings a bold design language that makes it stand out on Indian roads. The tall stance, wide grille, LED DRLs, and sharp projector headlamps give it an SUV-like identity. Skid plates, roof rails, and a dual-tone finish in higher trims add to the premium feel.
Styling Highlights
- Unique LED headlamp design
- Sporty alloy wheels
- Floating roof design with black C-pillar
- Knight Edition with blacked-out elements
Practical Exterior Touches
The Exter is not only about looks. The 185 mm ground clearance ensures it handles speed breakers, potholes, and rough patches without scraping. A wide boot opening makes loading luggage easy.
Interior and Cabin Quality
Step inside the Hyundai Exter and it feels modern and functional. The dashboard is neat with a high-mounted touchscreen and a fully digital driver’s display. The seats are supportive and the overall cabin feels more premium than expected in this price range.
Controls and Ergonomics
The steering-mounted controls, clear digital cluster, and touchscreen placement make it easy to use while driving. Visibility is excellent thanks to the raised seating position.
Fit and Finish
The Exter offers good material quality for its segment. The higher trims get premium upholstery, a cooled glovebox, and ambient lighting that enhance the feel.
Also Read Renault Kwid Review 2025 – India’s Affordable Mini-SUV Hatchback
Space, Comfort, and Boot Capacity
This is the Exter’s biggest strength. With 391 litres of boot space, it has the largest luggage capacity in its class. It easily beats rivals like Tata Punch and Renault Kiger in this department.
Boot Usability
The large boot opening and flat loading floor make it practical for groceries, luggage, or even weekend family trips.
Passenger Comfort
Rear seat space is decent with good legroom and excellent headroom thanks to the tall design. For a family of four, it works very well.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Hyundai Exter comes with a 1.2L petrol engine that produces 83 PS and 113.8 Nm of torque. Buyers also get a factory-fitted CNG option, which offers lower running costs.
City Driving and AMT Convenience
In city conditions, the Exter feels peppy and the AMT transmission makes daily commutes stress-free. It is easy to drive in traffic, thanks to light steering and smooth gear shifts.
Highway Performance
On highways, the Exter feels stable and composed at cruising speeds. It is not a sporty SUV, but it delivers enough confidence for family trips.
Mileage and Running Costs
Fuel efficiency is a strong point of the Exter. The petrol variant delivers around 19.2–19.4 kmpl, while the CNG version offers an impressive 27.1 km/kg. This makes it one of the most fuel-efficient cars in its segment.
Real-World Economy
In real Indian traffic conditions, expect around 15–17 kmpl for petrol and 23–25 km/kg for CNG depending on driving style.
Service and Maintenance
Hyundai’s wide service network and affordable maintenance packages make ownership easy and predictable.
Ride, Handling, and Suspension
The Hyundai Exter is tuned for comfort, which is perfect for Indian roads. It absorbs bumps well and keeps passengers comfortable. The steering is light in the city and stable on highways.
Comfort Over Rough Roads
With its high ground clearance and soft suspension setup, the Exter handles broken city roads and speed breakers with ease.
Handling and Stability
While not sporty, it remains stable at highway speeds and inspires confidence during overtakes.
Safety Features and Technology
Hyundai has equipped the Exter with segment-leading safety. Six airbags are standard across all variants, which is rare in this price bracket.
Key Safety Features
- 6 airbags (standard)
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- Hill-start Assist Control (HAC)
- Vehicle Stability Management (VSM)
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Safety Verdict
With this level of equipment, the Exter is one of the safest micro-SUVs available in India today.
Features and Infotainment
Hyundai has made sure the Exter is feature-rich to attract young buyers.
Infotainment and Connectivity
- 9-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- Bluelink connected car technology
- Over-the-air (OTA) updates
- Digital instrument cluster
Comfort Features
- Smart electric sunroof (higher trims)
- Cruise control
- Wireless charger
- Cooled glovebox
- Dashcam option
Variants, Pricing, and Value for Money
The Exter is available in multiple trims, each offering a good mix of features and safety. Prices vary depending on state taxes and dealership offers, but it is positioned competitively against Tata Punch, Citroën C3, and Renault Kiger.
Best Value Variant
The mid-level trims with AMT or CNG offer the best balance of affordability, features, and practicality.
Long-Term Value
Hyundai’s strong resale value and wide dealer network make the Exter a safe investment.
Conclusion – Should You Buy the Hyundai Exter?
The Hyundai Exter is one of the most complete micro-SUVs in the Indian market. It offers unbeatable boot space, strong safety with six airbags, good fuel efficiency, and modern features at a reasonable price. It is ideal for small families, city users, and even first-time SUV buyers. If you are looking for a micro-SUV that feels like a big car in practicality, the Hyundai Exter deserves to be on your shortlist.
FAQs
Q1: What is the boot space of Hyundai Exter?
A: The Hyundai Exter offers 391 litres, the best in its segment.
Q2: Is Hyundai Exter available in CNG?
A: Yes, Hyundai offers a factory-fitted CNG option in select trims.
Q3: How fuel-efficient is the Exter?
A: Petrol gives around 19 kmpl, while CNG delivers 27 km/kg under test conditions.
Q4: How many airbags are standard in Exter?
A: All variants come with 6 airbags as standard.
Q5: Is the Hyundai Exter suitable for family use?
A: Yes, with its big boot, good space, and safety features, it is perfect for small families.
