Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has taken a significant step forward in the rapidly growing electric vehicle (EV) segment by expanding its Creta Electric lineup with three new feature-packed variants: the Creta Electric Excellence, Creta Electric Executive Tech, and Creta Electric Executive (O). Launched in time for the festive season, these additions enhance the Creta Electric’s appeal by offering improved range, advanced features, and competitive pricing, positioning it as a strong contender in India’s compact EV SUV market. With a focus on addressing range anxiety and delivering premium technology, Hyundai aims to capture the attention of aspirational buyers seeking sustainable and stylish mobility solutions.
The Creta Electric now offers two battery options to cater to diverse customer needs. The Excellence and Executive Tech variants are powered by a 42 kWh battery pack, delivering a certified range of 420 km (up from 390 km), while the Executive (O) variant features a larger 51.4 kWh battery pack with an impressive 510 km range (up from 473 km), as per AIS 040 (Rev.1) testing standards. This range improvement of approximately 7.8% for both battery packs addresses one of the primary concerns for EV buyers in India—range anxiety—making the Creta Electric suitable for both urban commutes and longer journeys.
The Creta Electric’s dimensions (4,340 mm x 1,790 mm x 1,655 mm, with a 2,610 mm wheelbase) and 433-liter boot space align closely with its internal combustion engine (ICE) counterpart, ensuring practicality for families. Compared to the VinFast VF 3, a potential compact EV rival (3,190 mm x 1,679 mm x 1,652 mm, 215 km range), the Creta Electric offers significantly more space and range, appealing to buyers seeking a larger, more versatile SUV.
Feature-Packed Variants for Modern BuyersThe new variants are designed to blend cutting-edge technology with premium comfort, making the Creta Electric a compelling choice in its segment. Here’s a closer look at each variant:
- Creta Electric Excellence (42 kWh): The top-spec Excellence variant is a feature-rich offering, equipped with Hyundai SmartSense Level 2 ADAS (20 safety features), a 360-degree surround view monitor, blind-spot view monitor, front parking sensors, and rain-sensing wipers. It also includes an 8-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat with memory and welcome functions, ventilated front seats, eco-friendly leather upholstery, a foldable seatback table with an IT device holder, a dashcam, and a rear wireless charger. This variant is now available with the 42 kWh battery, making its premium features more accessible.
- Creta Electric Executive Tech (42 kWh): Positioned as a value-packed trim, the Executive Tech variant offers a voice-enabled smart panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, eco-friendly leather upholstery, and rear window sunshades. It strikes a balance between affordability and premium features, catering to buyers seeking comfort and technology without the higher price tag of the Excellence trim.
- Creta Electric Executive (O) (51.4 kWh): The Executive (O) variant makes the larger 51.4 kWh battery more accessible, offering a 510 km range alongside premium features like a voice-enabled smart panoramic sunroof, dashcam, rear wireless charger, and eco-friendly leather seats. This trim is ideal for buyers prioritizing long-range capability with essential luxury touches.
All Creta Electric variants now feature wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay via a wired-to-wireless adapter, ensuring seamless smartphone integration. Higher trims like Excellence and Executive (O) also include a dashcam and rear wireless charger, enhancing convenience for tech-savvy users.
Hyundai has introduced two new exterior shades—Matte Black and Shadow Grey—to complement the Creta Electric’s bold, aerodynamic design. These colors, combined with EV-specific elements like a closed grille and 17-inch aero alloy wheels, enhance its premium appeal. The Creta Electric’s design aligns closely with the ICE Creta, featuring LED lighting and sharp body lines, but its eco-friendly badges and modern touches set it apart as a forward-thinking EV.
While the Creta Electric targets the compact SUV segment, the VinFast VF 3, a potential mini-eSUV rival, offers a compact alternative for urban buyers. The VF 3’s dimensions (3,190 mm x 1,679 mm x 1,652 mm) and 215 km range (NEDC) make it ideal for city driving, but its smaller size and shorter range cater to a different audience. The Creta Electric’s 420–510 km range, larger cabin, and premium features like Level 2 ADAS and a panoramic sunroof position it as a more versatile option for buyers seeking a blend of urban practicality and long-distance capability. The VF 3’s fast charging (10%-70% in 36 minutes) is competitive, but the Creta Electric’s 58-minute DC fast charging (10%-80%) and 4-hour AC home charging (10%-100%) offer comparable convenience.
Pricing and Market PositioningThe Creta Electric’s expanded lineup is priced competitively to appeal to a broad audience:
- Executive (42 kWh): ₹18.02 lakh
- Executive Tech (42 kWh): ₹18.99 lakh
- Premium (42 kWh): ₹19.99 lakh
- Excellence (42 kWh): ₹21.29 lakh
- Executive (O) (51.4 kWh): ₹19.99 lakh
- Excellence (51.4 kWh): ₹23.66 lakh (Ex-showroom prices, home charger option available at additional cost.)
These prices position the Creta Electric against rivals like the Tata Curvv EV, MG ZS EV, Mahindra BE 6, and the upcoming Maruti e Vitara. The addition of the Executive (O) variant makes the 51.4 kWh battery more affordable, while the Excellence trim with the 42 kWh battery broadens access to premium features.
