By Malusi msomi

We recently got behind the wheel of the Hyundai Exter 1.2 Executive, Hyundai’s newest and most affordable SUV offering. Positioned at the entry point of the brand’s crossover line-up, the Exter brings quirky styling, budget-conscious engineering, and just enough tech to keep modern drivers happy.

Design That Divides

Visually, the Exter makes a statement. With its upright, boxy shape, large air intakes, squared-off headlamps, and distinctive H-shaped LED daytime running lights, it’s definitely not trying to blend in. Like Marmite, it’s polarizing — you’ll either love its offbeat charm or you won’t.

Interior: Simple, but not stripped

Step inside, and the Exter keeps things refreshingly straightforward. You’ll find cloth seats, automatic headlights, and a touchscreen infotainment system supporting both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Rear parking sensors come standard, making city manoeuvres a breeze. While hard plastics dominate the cabin, Hyundai’s choice of standard features helps elevate the experience above bare-bones.

Performance & efficiency

Under the bonnet sits a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated 4-cylinder petrol engine, delivering 61 kW and 114 Nm to the front wheels via a 5-speed manual gearbox. Around town, the Exter feels nippy and eager, but once you hit the highway, you’ll need to plan overtakes and gear shifts more carefully — it’s not built for speed, but for efficiency and ease.

Hyundai claims 5.7 L/100 km, and during our time with it, we returned a very respectable 6.0 L/100 km, which is commendable for real-world driving.

Pricing

Hyundai Exter 1.2 Executive – R289,900

Final word

For under R300,000, the Hyundai Exter offers a bold design, decent features, and everyday usability. It’s not flashy or fast, but it’s honest, efficient, and built with urban life in mind. If you’re after a no-fuss city SUV with personality, the Exter is well worth a look.