By Malusi Msomi

Meet the Exter, the latest addition to Hyundai’s line-up of small SUVs, is positioned below the Venue and aims to attract budget-conscious buyers without compromising on style or features. With its eye-catching design and an aggressive pricing strategy, the Exter is poised to shake up the compact SUV market, offering a blend of practicality and affordability that makes it a standout choice for urban dwellers and first-time SUV buyers alike.

Styling and design

The Exter’s boxy design is sure to divide opinions, with bold features like large intakes, square headlamps, and distinctive H-shaped LED daytime running lights. It’s offered in three trims: Premium, Executive, and Elite, catering to a variety of budgets and preferences.

Interior and features

The cabin is practical, albeit heavy on plastics, but the generous list of standard features makes up for it. All models come equipped with a touchscreen infotainment system (8 inches in the Executive trim), automatic headlights, rear parking sensors, cloth seats, and 15-inch wheels. Higher trims bring in desirable extras like alloy wheels, a rear-view camera, and a sunroof. The inclusion of 6 airbags across the range is a welcome nod to safety.

Performance

The Exter is powered by a 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine delivering 61 kW and 114 Nm. Buyers can choose between a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed automated manual transmission (AMT). On our test drive in the Executive MT trim, the engine felt lively at the coast, particularly during our scenic route from Stellenbosch to Hermanus. We achieved Hyundai’s claimed fuel consumption of 5.7 L/100 km, but it’ll be interesting to see how the performance holds up at altitude.

Pricing

Starting at R269,900, the Hyundai Exter offers a compelling value proposition for buyers seeking an affordable, feature-packed small SUV.

Exter 1.2 Premium MT – R269,900
Exter 1.2 Premium AMT – R294,900
Exter 1.2 Executive MT – R289,900
Exter 1.2 Executive AMT – R314,900
Exter 1.2 Elite AMT – R334,900