Hyundai Greta test full version. Test drive of the new Hyundai Creta (Hyundai Creta - Greta). Test drive a Hyundai Greta from the famous reviewer Igor Burtsev

When you have only 1.3–1.4 million rubles in your pocket and desperately need a crossover, most people make the obvious choice - buy the super-popular Creta in Russia. Every fifth SUV in the country is of this particular model. But what if we look at the similar in cost, but larger and better equipped “Chinese”? Will they be better than the bestseller?

If we talk about the most popular types car bodies in Russia, the championship will go to sedans, and crossovers will inevitably take second place. According to official AEB statistics, 14 of the Top 25 most popular models are crossovers of different classes. More than half! The most popular are compact class B models. We decided to find the most profitable one on the market.

It is difficult to say with complete certainty how many buyers consider the “raised” XRAY hatchback as a good alternative to the most popular crossovers in Russia, but AvtoVAZ marketers speak firmly on this matter: they consider the main competitors of their latest new product, the XRAY Cross, to be Hyundai Creta and Renault Duster. In our comparative test Instead of Duster, which is long overdue for a generation change, a “younger” but structurally similar Kaptur took part. At the same time, we compared cars with three types of transmissions - manual, CVT and automatic.

The new economic reality that emerged in Russia in 2014 led not only to a decrease in the capacity of bottles with sunflower oil and beer, but also to the emergence of new small-sized hits of the automotive market. Yesterday's idols have become too expensive, we have to choose smaller heroes. One of them was Hyundai crossover Creta, which appeared in August 2016, as they say, in right time and in the right place. In 2017, with sales of 55,305 units, this car became the leader among all SUVs, and in 2018 it is also ahead. It is already possible to put together the advantages and disadvantages noted by tens of thousands of owners.

Our recent tire experiment involving popular all-wheel drive crossovers Hyundai Creta and Renault Captur gave very unexpected results. It turned out that on a climb with the so-called mixed slope - when there is ice under the wheels of one side and snow under the others - the difference between studded and non-studded tires is insignificant. Even after stopping on the slope, we were able to start and drive up both on spikes and on Velcro. What if we complicate the task and fill the entire rise? That’s what we did, and at the same time we bought a set of cheap Chinese Velcro and drove a Lada 4x4 on Michelin studs, which will perform outside the competition.

Thorns or “linden”? Almost a religious question, if you think about it. Different parts of our country answer it differently. The Far East completely rides on “fat Velcro”; Siberia and the West prefer spikes. the site decided to hold a series of demonstration races on different types rubber on ice to understand what is the strength of the studs and what is the “linden” strength. To begin with, we took affordable crossovers with all-wheel drive. We filled the runway on the rise with ice and tried to drive in. The first series of our tests is devoted to this experiment. We read and watch.

This was perhaps the most predictable test drive in my practice, because I knew its outcome in advance. And yet I went with hidden hope: what if? I was one hundred percent sure that with the base 1.6-liter engine the Creta “wouldn’t go”: even if our editorial car with a 2.0-liter engine couldn’t accelerate beyond 11.5 seconds, what should we demand? from a less powerful version? But suddenly the Koreans, in addition to introducing a new modification, listened to the feedback and did the first work on... no, not errors, but, let’s say, shortcomings?

The popularity of crossovers is not in doubt: their sales are growing even when the entire market is falling. At the same time, a considerable proportion of such cars are offered in versions with only one axle drive, and some models do not have all-wheel drive modifications at all. Does it make sense to purchase a crossover if you can get a classic station wagon for the same money? What do the owners of both lose and what do they gain? We decided to check this in the next test.

It's no secret that about 70 percent of small crossover buyers choose configurations with front-wheel drive. This is understandable: the ground clearance for single-wheel drive and all-wheel drive modifications is usually the same, the main habitat of such cars is the city, and you can save a fair amount by purchasing a “neutered” version. Is there any difference between these cars? daily use? Which one will be better off-road? Is it possible to do without all-wheel drive using, for example, snow chains? Today, our editorial Creta and Capture will be tested in the snow by their siblings, but in front-wheel drive versions.

43 days after a serious accident on the 361st km of the M-9 Baltic highway Insurance Company AlfaStrakhovanie still made a decision on the so-called “total loss” vehicle" In other words, our Creta was still “totalized”, and now Drom is waiting for the full amount of insurance compensation (1,274,900 rubles) to be credited to his account, minus a deductible of 15,000 rubles. Thus, the final payment will be 1,259,900 rubles. Well, just recently - on March 4 - our dromomobile found its last refuge at the special parking lot of AlfaStrakhovanie, where we took the “usable remains” at the request of the company. How all this happened, what actions we had to take in the process of settling the loss - read in this material.

Crossovers and mini-crossovers are becoming extremely popular in the CIS countries: they are convenient to park, curbs and holes are not so scary. One of the benchmark representatives in this class is the Hyundai Creta. This car received high marks among motorists. Since 2016, this model has been increasingly sold on the domestic market. Is this car worth buying? A detailed review of the Hyundai Greta 2018 will help answer this question.

Main competitors

Among cars of this class, Greta has quite a lot of competitors, most of which are also popular in the CIS. Among them it is worth noting:

Renault Captur. The car is ideal in terms of price-quality ratio. A mini-crossover with a specific design has been conquering Russian roads for more than 5 years;
Nissan Terrano. One of the most available cars in its class, which has a decent interior and comfort. It is noteworthy that the Terrano is based on the Renault Duster;
Kia Soul. South korean car, which can very often be found on our roads, especially in small towns. The original design is combined with high reliability;
Ford Kuga. Roomy car, adapted for Russian roads and with good handling.
Suzuki Vitara. A more expensive Japanese analogue characterized by high reliability.

Direct competitors of the Hyundai Creta include Renault Kaptur, Suzuki Vitara and Renault Duster

Options and prices

In 2018, the Creta has a huge variety of trim levels, and there are some nice additions that allow the car to compete with other equally well-known companies.

Start package

The initial cost is 800,000 thousand rubles. For this price the owner receives:

A six-speed manual transmission, as well as a 1.6-liter engine with a power of 123 hp, front-wheel drive;
Power windows front and rear;
Audio system with support for MP3 format;
Adjustable power steering wheel and the ability to adjust the seat height to suit you;
Stabilization system and assistance when starting uphill and on descent;
Two front airbags;
Sensor showing tire pressure;
Ability to talk on the phone using Hands-Free.

This equipment cannot be called meager, because the bare minimum required for comfortable driving is present. For drivers who are more demanding of their car in terms of safety and comfort, the Active and Comfort Plus trim levels are suitable.

Active package

Starts from 900,000 thousand rubles. Unlike Start, this includes options such as:

Heated mirrors, seats, air conditioning;
Central locking controlled remotely;
By paying another 50,000, you can order a six-speed automatic transmission, but the most powerful engine for Greta is not provided in this configuration.

Comfort Plus package

The starting price starts from 1,019,000 rubles. The required options are:

Aluminum wheels;
Parktronic;
Climate control function;
Adaptive headlights with fog lights;
Six airbags.

To get a four-wheel drive vehicle with automatic transmission gears, you will have to add another 130,000 rubles, or only 50,000 if you want a front-wheel drive automatic.

Even in the most budget package crossover there is assistance when climbing uphill

Thus, a Creta with a two-liter engine and a power of 149 Horse power will cost 1,129,000 rubles, and for all-wheel drive you will have to pay another 80,000.

Technical characteristics and dimensions of Hyndai Creta

Greta has the following weight, dimensions and capacity:

Length - 4270 mm;
Width - 1780 mm;
Height - 1630 mm;
Wheelbase - 2590 mm;
Ground clearance - 190 mm;
Curb weight - 1377 kg;
Front track width - 1557 mm;
Rear track width - 1570 mm;
Wheel size - 205 / 65 / R16;
Trunk volume 402 l;
Fuel tank volume - 55 l;

From March 2017, the Creta became available with all-wheel drive and a 1.6 liter engine. Before this, 4x4 could only be purchased with a two-liter engine.

The official Hyundai website offers a choice of 8 colors, including metallic silver and brown

This car has two gasoline engines:

1.6 liters and 123 horsepower. It is accessible as manual transmission gears and automatic;
2.0 liter with 149 horsepower. Equipped exclusively with an automatic transmission.

Dynamics and fuel consumption

Owners of this model note that for its size and engine, the Creta has quite acceptable fuel consumption per 100 km. Speaking in numbers, the data is as follows:

1.6 liter engine - approximately 8-8.5 liters in the city, 6-6.5 liters on the highway;
2.0 liter engine – about 10-12 liters, on the highway it rarely exceeds 8 liters.

For urban conditions, especially in heavy traffic, the simplest engine is ideal - it will be more economical.

10.7 seconds - this is exactly how long it takes for a Hyundai Creta with a 2.0 AT engine to reach a speed of 100 km/h

Safety

In the basic configuration, the Hyndai Creta is equipped with two airbags versus six in higher-end configurations. It is this factor that often influences the choice of configuration. After all, this car is mainly bought as a family car, and the safety of passengers in this case is an important indicator.

Even in the starting configuration there is a system of exchange rate stability and ABS. This is already a standard for foreign cars, especially in this price range. More expensive versions will have parking sensors available.

Rich trim levels include six airbags

Speaking in hard numbers, the results of a car crash test have the following meanings:

Head – 5 (out of 5);
Chest – 4 (out of 5);
Neck – 2 (out of 2);
Shin – 3.23 (out of 4);
Hips – 2 (out of 2).

These are indicators of a frontal impact with 100% overlap. The condition of the mannequins sitting in front was assessed.

For passengers sitting in the rear, the indicators are as follows:

Chest – 0.39 (out of 1);
Neck – 0.05 (out of 0.2);
Head – 0.8 (out of 0.8);

Interior and exterior

External and internal mode of transport is an integral criterion that almost all car owners pay attention to. Creta is quite balanced in this regard.

Salon overview

As for the interior decoration and performance, it’s difficult to find fault with anything for its price. Sitting in a car for the first time, you have the feeling that you are in a Hyndai Solaris. But there are two fundamental differences - Greta is more massive, and this can be felt even inside, and the driver also feels much more confident.

Hyundai Creta, even for a crossover of its size, is a very roomy car

The front panel is a bit harsh, but all its elements are located in intuitive places, and it’s convenient to switch and turn all the levers. The creators did not cheat and hide the necessary options in the most unusual places.

The seats are comfortable, although a little narrow, so three plump, tall people in the back will feel cramped. If we take into account regular trips with the family, then these seats are more than enough.

The front panel of the car has a simple design, and all auxiliary switches are located in intuitive places

The initial trunk volume is 402 liters, but the rear seats can be folded down and you get a confident 1,396 liters.

If you fold the rear seats, the trunk volume will more than triple.

Appearance overview

In appearance, Greta resembles a slightly stripped-down Santa Fe - indeed, there are many similarities between these cars in terms of appearance.

Car wheels are painted in silver Platinum color

Excellent assembly, no gaps, and all parts fit perfectly. Owners love that the headlights and grille blend with the curves of the body, complementing each other.

It’s hard to find fault with the car’s appearance: it has both an aggressive appearance and features of a family car.

If you look from the side, then rear windows are beveled, which gives the car a sportier and more aggressive appearance.

Video review of Hyundai Greta

Test drive Hyundai Creta

Conclusion: advantages and disadvantages

U of this car It has both its advantages and minor disadvantages. The first include:

Excellent suspension, which is ideal for Russian roads;
Spacious interior, making the car ideal for a small family;
The braking system works great and has excellent pedal response;
Even in the starting configuration, the car will be well equipped;
Acceptable fuel consumption in the city and on the highway.

The disadvantages include the following:

In places where there are paint chips, owners complain of rust;
Sometimes the plastic panel creaks, especially in the heat, when the interior is very hot;
Small glove compartment capacity;

Many compare Greta with Duster, and it is logical - the cars are really similar in many ways, if you do not take into account the appearance. It’s worth saying right away that Renault is more suitable for those who often travel off-road and arrange out-of-town trips. For the city and comfortable driving with several passengers, the Creta would be preferable - it is more spacious.

Summing up, we can conclude that the Hyndai Creta received the title “Car of the Year” quite deservedly, and indeed, the price tag justifies the expectations of the owners. It's nice that in this price segment cars are becoming more reliable and pleasant to look at. More and more Russian motorists are giving preference to South Korean cars, because they are often head and shoulders above their direct competitors, and at the same time are affordable for the middle class. The hero of this review confirmed this with his own example.

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The new compact crossover Hyundai Creta can only be called new conditionally. In fact, its release began in 2014, first in China, where it is known as ix25, and then in India, where it received its current name. Now the smallest representative has arrived in Russia.

Interesting detail. The appearance of models produced in different markets is almost the same. Probably because Cret's appearance is well balanced in terms of design and suits everyone. There is no feigned brutality of an SUV here, but there is no “girliness” either. The dimensions of the Hyundai Greta are typical for a car in the compact crossover class. In particular, the length is 4.27 meters.

Although the Creta is just a compact crossover, it nevertheless feels quite confident off-road. Fortunately, there are systems to help the driver. For example, descent assist from years. In addition, the Hyundai Greta now has an impressive ground clearance of 19 cm.

Even before the official presentation of the new Creta on Russian market All sorts of myths began to appear around the crossover. One of them is this: the new model is based on a rather weak, from a technical point of view, . Hyundai representatives, in turn, insist that there is an Elantra inside, and an improved one. Indeed, the rear suspension is multi-link, and therefore the driver can comfortably steer with one hand, communicate with passengers and at the same time not watch the road too closely, even if it is quite rough.

A few words about the suitability of the new SUV for life outside the parquet. Reconfigured chassis copes well with troubles in the form of shallow rutting, gravel surfaces and relatively flat primers. But when there are more bumps, cracks and small holes, the suspension begins to get nervous.

As soon as high-frequency irregularities appear, you can immediately hear how they are transmitted to the interior and body. But the brakes do not lose their performance, even on very difficult terrain. One more pleasant thing should be noted technical feature new crossover. In any, even the simplest configuration, it is equipped with rear disc brakes. Of course, this car is not designed for regular driving on rough dirt roads, but for some time it will be able to withstand them.

Hyundai Greta video

Hyundai Greta test on asphalt

It looks like Creta is trying to please everyone at once. This is a good aspiration that can only be welcomed. Its positive influence is felt in the way the car looks, how practical it is and even in the way the driver's space is organized. It is clearly divided into zones: there is a multimedia zone, there is a climate zone. There is also a large digital clock area. The devices are excellent, they are simple in German, but easy to read. There are no cheesy blue lights usually found in Korean cars here.

According to the on-board computer, fuel consumption while driving on the highway was 10.8 liters. According to the documents, this is exactly how much the car should spend in city mode. Thus, the difference between what is stated and actual consumption fuel is 2.5 liters. However, the cause of overspending can be not only the car, but also the driver, or rather his driving style.

Technical characteristics and specifics of Creta in Russia

The level of comfort that the driver is entitled to can be characterized as follows. There is an armrest, but only one of the automatic windows is the one for the driver. It says “auto” on its button. There are electric mirrors, keyless engine start, keyless access to the cabin, heated front seats, both driver and passenger. Moreover, there is a heated rear seat and even a heated steering wheel. This is the result of preparing the car for Russian conditions.

Hyundai test engineers drove 750,000 km across Russia, including the Arctic, in order to understand what the Russian buyer needs. As a result, we now have a fully heated windshield, a heated steering wheel and all seats, a more capacious battery and plastic fuel tank instead of steel. The settings and installation methods of the shock absorbers were also changed, and the power steering received a new algorithm with a more clearly defined zero position.

Motor units

Based on the results of sea trials, the engines were adapted for 92-octane gasoline and are capable of starting at temperatures down to -30°C. With motors, everything is extremely simple and clear. There are 1.6 and 2.0 liter engines. Power, respectively, is 123 hp. or 149.6 hp There was a second motor on test. No messing around with transmissions. No CVTs or 4-speed automatics. One must assume that Hyundai marketers and engineers would put a 4-speed automatic under the hood so that the price of the Creta would be even lower, but they simply don’t have it. Therefore, either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission is offered. The Hyundai Greta received for a test drive, the review of which is described here, was the second option.

Mono or all-wheel drive? The test drive was a car with all-wheel drive, which the Crete has is similar to that found in older models of the Korean line, such as Tussan. Therefore, all-wheel drive is quite decent here. True, instead of the all-wheel drive system, the new product also got their problems. In particular, such as a lack of dynamics with seemingly sufficient power.

On the one hand, the Creta has one and a half hundred horsepower and a new 6-speed automatic transmission. On the other hand, when the driver tries to accelerate to “hundreds,” the car noisily and diligently picks up speed, but does it within 11.3 seconds. For a car that weighs just over a ton, this isn't the greatest driving dynamics. This figure will improve if you choose a manual transmission, but only slightly.

Advantages and off-road test drive

As often happens, the disadvantage is balanced by the advantage. IN in this case The sluggish dynamics are partly compensated by good steering. Engineers from Hyundai took from the Elantra not only the suspension and multimedia, but also the steering wheel, which is really cool. It looks expensive, with tides, leather and stitching. Control is assigned to it on-board computer, media and phone control. Speakerphone Cret has it too. It cannot be said that “zero” is expressed very clearly here, but the fact that the load increases with increasing speed is very pleasant. And all because there is an electric amplifier. In entry-level or single-wheel drive versions, the buyer receives a hydraulic booster, and in more expensive all-wheel drive versions with a 2-liter engine, an electric power steering wheel.

As a result, the crossover behaves understandably on the road. When turning, it allows you to maintain the planned trajectory without steering and even feel some kind of feedback from the front axle. Therefore, driving a car is easy and comfortable.

However, if you are looking not for comfort, but for the possibilities of the little Creta, then you should leave the asphalt and move closer to wildlife, which can be countered by 190 mm of ground clearance, not the worst geometry and the ability to forcefully lock the clutch. During the test drive, which took place on rocky terrain, the Creta performed well.

Conclusions for those who intend to buy a Hyundai Creta

The Hyundai Creta crossover turned out to be quite nice, well equipped, with a decent interior and clear steering. At the same time, it definitely lacks dynamics, energy-intensive suspension on bad roads and cruise control. The most important thing to remember when trying to evaluate the Hyundai Creta is budget car. Its price is 749,900 rubles for the basic package. And 1,159,900 rubles for the top one. This is cheaper than the mid-spec Ford Focus and significantly cheaper than the entry-level Skoda Yeti. There is something to think about. Undoubtedly, based on the totality of its characteristics, Creta is capable of being liked. It seems that Hyundai managed to make a car that in Russia can repeat the success of Solaris.

Hyundai Greta dimensions

Length: 4270 mm;
Width: 1780 mm;
Height: 1630 cm;
Wheelbase: 2590 mm;
Ground clearance: 190 mm.

Crash test Hyundai Creta

Which is better: Renault Captur or Hyundai Greta?

It was supposed to be a response to the aspirations of lovers of inexpensive super compact crossovers(price category up to 1 million rubles.). One of the guarantees of the low price of the car was the assembly location - St. Petersburg. And, of course, a limited set of options in order to be able to reduce the price to the maximum. It got to the point that a rumor spread throughout Russia that the price of this crossover would start at from 800 thousand rubles., which is not cheap, but, one might say, almost free. But the expectations were not met, and the cost of the car is comparable to the cost of a one-room apartment somewhere in Yekaterinburg or Khabarovsk.

However, if the price slightly disappointed car enthusiasts, then perhaps the car’s features and driving performance will be excellent, which will justify the increase in cost. These questions can only be answered by a test drive of the Hyundai Greta, as a result of which you can learn everything about this crossover, from interior comfort to fuel consumption.

Russian journalists conducted a test drive of the Hyundai Greta together with Renault Capture, one of the main competitors of the Korean crossover. Comparing cars turned out to be very interesting and educational. If you are very interested in watching the Hyundai Greta 2016 test drive video to see the review in the recording, then at the bottom of the article you will find a video.

Twenty years ago, the filling of Greta's Hyundai would have delighted anyone. But now car owners, spoiled by manufacturers who intensively equip their cars with all possible technical innovations, are turning their noses up a little. They say that the Korean crossover is criticized for the fact that it is not equipped with a cruise control function, it lacks a rain sensor, LED fog lights, glove compartment lights. Car enthusiasts want not only the driver but also the passengers to have electric windows in their car; they also want to have electric folding mirrors and remote engine start.

But when compared with its main competitor, Renault Capture, the Korean clearly wins: the brainchild of the French car industry lacks a heated steering wheel and rear seat cushion, hooks for clothes in the cabin and for cargo in the trunk, it does not have a steep descent assist system, the steering wheel is not adjustable reach, no roof rails, no rear disc brakes. Hyundai also has inflatable curtains in its most expensive configuration, but, for example, Renault is completely devoid of such a device.

Sometimes it even becomes strange: how did you drive before without inflatable curtains and roof rails? But time passes, and cars become more and more comfortable. So motorists have the right to count on maximum comfort for their money.

Many modern drivers are not happy with a manual transmission; they are more inclined to use an automatic transmission, which can safely drive the car itself. Alas, in the case of the Hyundai Greta, you will have to master the good old mechanics, albeit in a six-speed version. Perhaps the manufacturer will risk releasing this crossover with an automatic transmission, but this will increase the cost of the car, and therefore for now this option is being put on hold - the manufacturer doubts the demand for the car if its price rises even more. Yes, yes, don’t forget - the main advantage of the Korean crossover is its low price, because of which the car is forgiven for some shortcomings (such as the lack of xenon headlights and so on).

Some of the disadvantages of the Greta also include inexpensive interior materials - solid squeaking plastic and so on, but for this money it is difficult to expect that the interior will be trimmed with mahogany and genuine leather. Here even young dermantine leather will be a little expensive.

Some motorists who have tried the Hyundai Greta on Russian roads call this crossover boring and small - the Korean looks very simple, no chrome frills or other shine. Give them lensed headlights, which are available only in the most expensive 2.0 4WD configuration, and turn signals in the mirrors, and without such devices the headlights seem too primitive. It seems that these kinds of critics are simply spoiled expensive cars or a top-end mid-class package. After all, the presence of chrome plates does not in any way affect the flight performance of the car. And for comfort too.

But the lack of additional seals in the doorways of the Korean crossover is really quite inconvenient: in the wet and dirty autumn conditions of Central Russia, both trousers and long coats will get dirty on the thresholds. And also the little ones are not too happy - the thought of the same wet and dirty autumn prevents us from rejoicing. It seems that this part was clearly not developed in Russia - any Russian developer would immediately point out the insufficient size of the mudguards.

But, having overcome the not very sterile thresholds, we finally find ourselves in the interior of a Korean crossover. And here you forget about additional gaskets or the lack of chrome on the body - the interior is quite comfortable, the driver’s seat has good ergonomics, dashboard simple and clear, you don’t have to rack your brains trying to read instrument readings - everything is perfectly readable. The glove compartment, as already mentioned, is devoid of illumination, and its volume is small, but it will also accommodate less various rubbish - everyone knows how prone glove compartments are to clutter. Cup holders, sockets - all this adds comfort to the crossover interior.

The steering wheel adjustment range is quite large, and the engine is idle speed, in general, is not audible - these are the undoubted advantages of the Korean. In urban conditions, when speeds are low, the Hyundai Greta behaves simply wonderful - the car is easy to drive, obedient, does not vibrate or make noise. It’s just that the clutch’s grip floats a little when starting off, but this second of discomfort instantly dissolves into the advantages of a leisurely ride along the city streets. Well, good directional stability is good news.

The six-speed manual transmission behaves just fine: gears change easily, the shift knob does not miss, does not fall between gears, in general - everything is convenient and good.

An additional advantage: the ability to check tire pressure without stopping the car, while driving. Those who have driven cars without this device know how inconvenient it can be when the driver feels that something is wrong with the wheels and is forced to stop, get out of the car - usually this happens in pouring rain or sleet - and trudge along. with a pressure gauge around, checking the tire pressure. Now - glory to the automotive engineers! – these horrors are a thing of the past.

Another plus of the Hyundai Greta is the luggage compartment. Low loading height, allowing you to easily load even heavy and large cargo into the trunk, excellent capacity, nice finish.

In contrast to the Korean, Renault Capture is noisy and vibrates, and the steering wheel is a bit heavy during complex maneuvers (for example, when parking a car). And the driver's seat is not very comfortable, and the gear shift is not so airy.

During out-of-town trips, the Hyundai turned out to be not as convenient as we would like. It is let down by the lack of cruise control, which is equipped with its main competitor. In addition, the electric power steering tightens the steering wheel and as a result you have to remember what kind of steering wheel You still need to hold on with your palms, and not control it with your fingertips. Renault Capture is much easier to drive, regardless of the speed limit.

The main problem of Russian motorists is roads. They are not just not straight enough, they are not straight at all, and are distinguished by the presence of patches and other surprises. Moreover, this is if we talk about asphalt. Well, country roads, in general, are a different story, especially after a grader passes through them. This is said to level out the unpaved road surface, but in reality it just turns it into a veritable washboard - an absolutely jaw-dropping option. Therefore, the suspension is a very essential part of the car; without a good suspension there is nothing to do on our roads.

So the Hyundai Greta pleasantly surprises on uneven country roads, the crossover behaves quite well on the dirt roads of our homeland. The suspension doesn't let me down.

However, if at speeds the ride is quite smooth, then in urban conditions you can already feel every hole, “sharp” irregularities are especially unpleasant - the suspension copes with them much worse.

The disadvantages of the Hyundai Greta suspension include its low travel. And since the clutch and gas drive are poorly coordinated, this feature of the suspension can lead to problems in traffic jams in megacities and when there is insufficient adhesion of the wheels to the road surface (for example, in icy conditions).

Despite all the cuteness of the Hyundai Greta, we have to admit that it’s better not to go mushroom hunting in this car. You can get so stuck that not every tractor will undertake to pull it out. The ground clearance is only 18 centimeters, and is not conducive to overcoming various obstacles that any SUV “does” in one go. True, this is not an SUV, but still ground clearance not suitable for our forests. You should also not try to cross streams, especially with slippery clay banks, or try your hand at driving through fields. In addition, there is a soft spoiler under the front bumper - and its presence must be remembered whenever it comes to mind to climb onto a curb (for example, for safe parking in the courtyard of a house) - even a low curb can turn out to be an insurmountable obstacle and at least deprive the crossover of a spoiler .

The main problem for Russian winters for the Korean crossover is the lack of a remote start system. In addition, there is no insulation on the hood, and the battery capacity is not too large - 60 Ah (Renault Capture has 70 Ah). But if the car starts, the heated steering wheel, electric heated windshield, and heated windshield washer nozzles will be immediately felt by the driver. This strong point a car that the competitor, Renault Capture, is deprived of. But the Frenchman has a programmable remote start, which significantly increases the chances of starting the car even in the most severe frosts.

It should be noted that the heated steering wheel and rear seats is not included in the basic package of the Korean, but is installed for an additional fee - 25 thousand rubles. For the pleasure of purchasing the Winter package. For the same money, the steering wheel will be trimmed in leather.

Another unpleasant feature of Hyundai is the small size of the windshield wiper blades. As a result, the left brush does not reach the stand by as much as 6.5-7 cm! When you need to clear the windshield of frost and snow, this is not the best option.

But you don’t have to worry too much about the quality of winter diesel fuel– Hyundai is equipped exclusively with a gasoline engine. True, they say that the manufacturer is now considering the issue of releasing a crossover with a diesel engine, but this is a matter of the future, and basically everything will depend on the price - a powerful diesel engine will cost more than a gasoline engine.

The manufacturer claims that despite the lack of remote start, the Hyundai Greta will withstand frosts down to -30°C and will start without any problems.

Specifications Hyundai Greta is almost the same as other crossovers in this price category, and the car does not stand out in any way from the general range of competing cars:

length – 4270 mm;
width – 1780 mm;
height – 1630 mm;
wheelbase – 2590 mm;
front/rear track – 1557/1570 mm;
curb weight – 1345 kg;
total weight – 1795 kg;
engine displacement – 1591 cm3;
ground clearance - 190 mm;
acceleration time from 0 to 100 km/h – 12.3 s;
fuel consumption in the urban cycle – 9.0 l/100 km;
fuel consumption in the extra-urban cycle – 5.8 l/100 km;
fuel consumption in the combined cycle is 7.0 l/100 km.

Some drivers who test drove the Hyundai Greta claim that the car’s fuel consumption does not correspond to the passport data, and in the urban cycle the crossover eats heartily - up to 12 liters for every 100 km. But other testers, who have been driving for more than a day or two, say that fuel consumption is much more modest and fully corresponds to the passport data, or even lower - up to 8 liters for every 100 km. But for the extra-urban cycle, testers claim up to 7 liters per 100 km – versus 5.8 liters per hundred declared in the passport. But perhaps they also add city mileage, that is, they actually measure fuel consumption in the combined cycle.

The Russian version of the Hyundai Greta can choose from two gasoline engines(gasoline AI-92, possibly AI-98):

1.6 liters with a power of 123 hp;
2 liters with a power of 149.6 hp.

The low-power version is front-wheel drive only, and the gearbox can be either manual or automatic (for now, only manual is available - the basic version). But the two-liter version of the Korean can be either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive (4x4 plus the ability to disconnect and connect the rear axle). It is stated that the more powerful version can be equipped exclusively with an automatic transmission.

Even the simplest configuration of the Korean crossover (Start) has a basic audio system, front airbags, electric windows on all doors (though only controlled from the driver’s side), a multifunction steering wheel, 16-inch steel wheels, and a distribution system braking forces and a stabilization system, as well as an additional assistance function for steep ascents and descents, Bluetooth. And the next configuration (Active) is also equipped with air conditioning, a shelf in the trunk, as well as an additional niche and hooks for securing cargo.

Taking into account that such a car is used more in city mode, it simply needs air conditioning (especially in the summer in big cities while stuck in endless traffic jams), so greater demand is predicted for the version equipped with air conditioning. And also the Comfort option is offered - the most expensive and sophisticated, but its cost exceeds a million (1.3 million rubles).

For those who believe only their own eyes, but cannot currently take a test drive of the new Korean crossover on their own, it is recommended to watch the Hyundai Greta test drive video; the Hyundai Greta test drive in Russia video option will be especially informative. Thus, you will be able to see with your own eyes all the pros and cons of this car, almost the same as if you were behind the wheel yourself. Of course, no video can replace the unique feeling of a driver behind the wheel of a car, but still, the new 2016 Hyundai Greta test drive video is somewhat more than just words.

The new Hyundai Greta is called boring, they say that it is not impressive enough in appearance, does not accelerate too quickly, and, in general, does not really want to rush along the highway so that the wheels do not quite touch the asphalt (that is the case when you are fined not for being fast were driving, but because they were flying low). Maybe that's all true. This crossover is not very suitable for brutal boys. Fans of sharp turns claim that steering doesn't react too well to such harshness. But if you don’t go to extremes, but simply move calmly along a given trajectory, then there will be no problems with control, including control in corners.

No rolls, no problems (for example, in Renault Capture there is a tapping of the steering wheel (twitching in the hands) when turning with uneven surfaces). True, there are no sporting impulses, but special cars are produced for them. Of course, sometimes a controlled skid is quite relevant, however, not a single car with ABS system Not only the Hyundai Greta is incapable of such a maneuver.

“Real men” say that any housewife who has never seen a unit more complex than a dishwasher or a baby stroller can handle a Korean crossover. But this should be listed as a plus of the car, and not as a minus. This car is reliable, has all the necessary and efficient systems security. It is not too picky, consumes a fairly modest amount of fuel, is comfortable for both the driver and passengers, and its appearance, although not as spectacular as, say, a golden Rolls-Royce, is nevertheless quite presentable. An ergonomic driver's seat, comfortable passenger seats, a spacious and convenient trunk, and various pleasant little things in the cabin (like cup holders) add charm to the car.

The undoubted advantages of this crossover include the presence of an assembly plant in St. Petersburg - this means high maintainability of the car and the absence of any problems with spare parts (the more common the brand, the closer the manufacturing plant, the traditionally cheaper repair and maintenance work).

Everyone who has even taken a short test drive of a Hyundai Greta notes that the car is easy to drive, pleasant to drive, in general, just what the doctor ordered for those who do not strive for excessive eccentricity when traveling. And most importantly, this Korean has corrected the suspension shortcomings that so let down its predecessor (Solaris).

They say that it is impossible to fall in love with a Korean car based on its appearance. But here it’s the same as in people’s tender feelings: appearance is temporary, but tasty preferences are from the category of eternity. So the Hyundai Greta has enough features that will make car enthusiasts love this car and that will make it popular.

Talk about a new compact crossover from Hyundai began long before the appearance of the car itself. Over time, the request “Hyundai Creta” has become one of the most popular on the Russian Internet. And finally, the official test drive took place. Our correspondent drove the first 1000 kilometers behind the wheel of the brand new Hyundai Creta

One day, the former head of Hyundai Motor CIS told me his dream. No, not at all because we were so close friends with him and regularly told each other our dreams. It’s just that over a glass of tea I tortured him for so long about his plans for the future that he almost gave up and answered in an oriental florid way. About how he dreamed about the Hyundai plant in St. Petersburg. About how brand new Hyundai Solaris roll off his assembly line in an endless line. And among them, every now and then, you come across some unfamiliar compact crossovers. Also under the Hyundai brand, and also clearly belonging to class B. Dream, nothing more. You can’t write about it in the news, you can’t make a sensation out of it, but you can get some analytics. For myself, I then decided that the Koreans, secretly from everyone, were still preparing an all-wheel drive version of the Hyundai Solaris. They are preparing, even despite the fact that the company’s engineers have repeatedly denied this possibility. They say they have neither such plans nor such a transmission that could be used to turn Solaris into a crossover.

Time has put everything in its place. The engineers were not lying at all, I was wrong in my assumptions, but the dream, nevertheless, turned out to be prophetic. It turns out that it was about the compact crossover ix25, which has been sold in China for two years and in India for more than a year. In Russia, just like the Indians, the model was given not a serial alphanumeric index, but a proper name - Creta. And it was not built on the Solaris platform, as I mistakenly initially assumed, but on the basis of the Hyundai i20 hatchback. We don’t sell it here, so to make it clearer to you, we can say that the chassis of the Hyundai Creta is a kind of “mix” of components and assemblies of the Solaris and Elantra models. However, as far as all-wheel drive is concerned, this is original.

Multi-episode premiere

The Koreans made a whole series out of the presentation of the long-awaited new product. First, the car was shown directly at the factory. But they only showed it from the outside. The doors were locked and it was impossible to look inside through the glass tinted into the night. Technical specifications were also not announced for the time being. The second series happened in Moscow. The already opened Hyundai Creta was rolled out to journalists so that everyone could get acquainted with its interior. Then they talked about transmissions and engines. Prices were announced during the official viewing of the “third series” at the Moscow Motor Show. But they were only allowed to drive a production car now.

To do this we had to go to Altai. The route of the premiere test drive ran along the famous Chuysky tract. Remember, as in the song: “There is a road along the Chuysky tract, many drivers drive along it...” We are going too. From Barnaul and almost to the Mongolian border. We, as often happens, got the top version of the Creta. With a two-liter engine of the “Nu” series, producing almost 150 hp, already familiar to us from the Elantra model, and a six-speed automatic transmission. The drive is, of course, all-wheel drive. Great set! Although, I suspect that it will not be the most popular among Russian buyers. The fact is that such a car costs from 1,149,900 rubles (excluding additional options) and is practically the same in price as its older brother - Hyundai Tucson. Most likely, the peak of sales will be in the “under-drive” 2WD versions, and with the youngest 123-horsepower engine in the range, excuse the tautology “Gamma”, from the Solaris and manual transmission. We also had such a car. One. But more about her a little later.

The Chuysky tract is a road of strategic importance and, regardless of anything, it is maintained in very good condition. The asphalt is fresh, without holes or cracks. There are clear markings and at least poorly equipped roadsides, onto which slow-moving vehicles move every now and then to let the cars that have accumulated behind them pass. There is no other way - it’s narrow: one row there and one row back almost all the way. An ideal place to check the Koreans’ claim that the Creta is specially equipped with powerful engines that make overtaking comfortable and safe even on narrow Russian roads. The two-liter engine easily accelerates the car to the first hundred. Judging by the official technical specifications, the process takes 11.3 seconds. In my opinion, in practice this is approximately the case. Creta readily reaches cruising speeds of 100-120 km/h. At these speeds the car is really quiet. Usually, on almost all “budget” models, from the rear, through the insufficiently well-insulated wheel arches, the noise of wheels rolling on the road can be clearly heard. This is not the case here. All you can hear is the unobtrusive sound of the engine. Acoustic comfort is only compromised when overtaking. Some lack of traction affects high speed. If you try to accelerate intensively from somewhere around 100-110 km/h, the automatic transmission will instantly switch down two, if not three, gears and the engine will howl forcefully. It's unpleasant to hear, but the overclocking will be quite good in the end. I wouldn’t call it a disadvantage: how often do you have to drive in this mode?

If we talk about a car with a more modest 1.6-liter engine, then, in my opinion, it is purely urban. The engine, which drives the lightweight Solaris so well and cheerfully, has a hard time here. Overtaking at high speeds sometimes turns into an unsafe process that must be carefully calculated before deciding to do it. Even the manual transmission doesn’t help much, the lever of which has to be operated quite actively. But when you control everything yourself, there are no such loud howls at high speeds.

On asphalt and where there is none

Hyundai representatives repeated to us several times that the Creta is perhaps the most off-road crossover in the world. model range Korean company. To be a record holder for cross-country ability, it has both 190 mm ground clearance, and surprisingly small front and rear overhangs, providing very decent departure/approach angles. Moreover, unlike the “donor” Elantra, the front shock absorbers on the Creta were placed more vertically to provide better suspension energy absorption.

I’ll say right away - it worked! On asphalt, the Korean crossover demonstrates typically “German” behavior. The car seems a little harsh, sometimes transferring the smallest imperfections of the road surface to the body in too much detail. But it does not “float” even in fast turns, and roll is minimal. If you change the speed a little, the front axle begins to intelligently slide to the outside of the turn. But there is not the slightest hint of loss of controllability. There will be no skidding, even if you are afraid to stomp on the brake pedal. In extreme cases, the standard stabilization system comes into play, unnoticed by the driver, smoothly and accurately, straightening the car.

If you drive onto a bumpy dirt road or onto some gravel road strewn with large stones, which are found in abundance in the vicinity of the Chuysky tract, the stiffness of the suspension immediately turns from the undoubted advantage of the car into its disadvantage. Driving off-road quickly is very uncomfortable! And the suspension travel is clearly insufficient to overcome many obstacles. You can “catch” diagonal hanging even on seemingly harmless obstacles. Four wheel drive vehicle it won't stop. The clutch in the center differential will automatically connect rear axle, the electronics will slow down the hanging wheel and the car will move forward. On the 2WD version, everything can be much more tragic. You can hang well and for a long time. Instead of the “multi-link” that all all-wheel drive modifications are equipped with, there is a cheaper semi-independent beam at the rear, which means that the articulation of the suspension, even purely theoretically, should be worse.

Marketers understand all this very well, and therefore position the Hyundai Creta as a car not for fishermen and hunters, but for city dwellers who from time to time have to go off-road. For example, when traveling to the country or simply when maneuvering through a parking lot that has not been cleared of snow. In principle, they can do without all-wheel drive. This is confirmed by initial sales statistics: during the first month of Hyundai Creta’s presence on the market, approximately 3.5 thousand cars were sold, of which only 17% were 4WD versions. By the way, the share of cars with automatic transmission is as much as 70%! I'm telling you, townspeople...

No stops required

We return to the asphalt. The further we move away from Barnaul and Gorno-Altaisk, the more mountainous the area becomes. Closer to the Mongolian border, the road turns into a serpentine winding along the rocky slopes. There are very few cars and you can even have a little fun and amuse your driver’s pride. It’s here, I’ll quote the famous song again: “...over the Chuya River, the Rain Ford and the three-ton AMO rushed like an arrow after each other.” Do you remember how it ended? It didn't end well. At the 744th kilometer of the Chuysky tract, right near the village of Bely Bom, they even erected a monument to those tragic events. Therefore, we will be careful.

The steering wheel is absolutely “weightless” when leaving the parking lot and becomes heavier as the speed increases. In difficult turns, the steering wheel even requires a noticeable effort to direct the wheels in the right direction. Our version of Hyundai Creta has electric amplifier steering wheel Classic hydraulic is found only on the most affordable versions with a 1.6 engine. I can’t say anything about how it works, I haven’t driven it. But the electric amplifier, in my opinion, sometimes lacks information content. Yes, at high speed it “clamps” the steering, but the force on the steering wheel practically does not depend in any way on either the pace of movement or the angle of rotation of the wheels. It will not be possible to feel with the steering wheel the optimal steepness of the turn - where the car wants to go and where it doesn’t want to go. You have to use your eye - you outline the trajectory with your eyes and follow it strictly. Fortunately, the suspension allows you to create very intricate curves without losing traction between the wheels and the road.

It turns out quickly. So fast that at times you begin to experience a lack of lateral support for the seats. But, in general, the seats here are very comfortable. I drove the Hyundai Creta for over 500 kilometers at a time and not once did I feel like fidgeting or changing my position. Came out from behind the wheel like new. The ergonomics of the driver's seat are excellent. I wouldn't even be afraid to call it a reference. By and large, there is only one complaint - it would be nice to move the center armrest a little forward, or make it adjustable. Then it would be more convenient to place your hand on it.

The salon is spacious. In such cases, it is customary to say that the car is larger on the inside than on the outside. The ceiling does not press on your head, and the front seats themselves are slightly moved apart to the edges of the cabin, so you don’t have to bump elbows with the passenger. Not bad at the back either. For the sake of experiment, I gave up my seat at the wheel to a colleague and drove from behind for the next 200 kilometers. One of the journalists has already complained that his knees are resting on the back front seat. I don’t know, with my height of 182 cm, they don’t resist. Probably, adjusting the backrest angle would not hurt here, but you can do without it. The only pity is that the manufacturers saved on the rear armrest. On a long journey it would also come in handy.

In fact, this car doesn’t have many obvious signs of savings. The exterior, in my opinion, is simply a sight for sore eyes. Really like. The interior decoration is also unlikely to cause any complaints. There are little things, such as, for example, the absence in most versions of a shelf covering the luggage compartment. There is also no decorative “plate” covering the top of the engine. But how often do you look under the hood of your car? Among the obvious shortcomings, I would note the lack of cruise control even in the most expensive modification. This is, honestly, strange. It seems like a cheap option, but on a long journey it would be very useful. There is no navigation either. Not yet. Neither for money nor for free. We're told it will be available in March when new versions hit the market. Then, most likely, they will reconsider and basic configurations. In the meantime, let me remind you that four versions of the Hyundai Creta are available in Russia: two with a 1.6 engine - manual and automatic, both front-wheel drive, and two more two-liter - with all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive. Automatic is installed on them by default. It seems to me that it is very interesting, from the point of view ride quality, there will be a two-liter crossover with a manual transmission. Probably, an all-wheel drive car with a base 123-horsepower engine will also be in demand. Most likely they will appear. Wait and see. But we definitely won’t have diesel, which, by the way, is available on the Indian market. Marketers conducted a study and came to the conclusion that the game is not worth the candle. In this market segment, the share of diesel vehicles does not exceed 5%. At least for us...

And finally, my personal forecast. I think that the appearance of the Hyundai Creta will significantly affect the entire compact crossover market in our country. Competitors, such as Ford Ecosport, Suzuki Vitara or Renault Kaptur, you will have to be nervous. The Koreans also turned out to be a very well-balanced and balanced car. By the way, if it seems too small to you, then know that Creta is only four centimeters shorter Hyundai Tucson first generation. And he, if you remember, played a class higher!

Technical Hyundai specifications Creta 2.0 D-CVVT petrol
DIMENSIONS, mm	4270 x 1780 x 1630
WHEELBASE, mm
TURNING RADIUS, M
GROUND CLEARANCE, mm
TRUNK VOLUME, L
CURB WEIGHT, KG Edition website Photo photo of the author and manufacturer