The Hyundai Exter is positioned as a smart urban crossover that blends SUV-inspired design with the affordability of a hatchback. With its tall-boy stance, practical cabin layout, and feature-rich package, the Exter caters to buyers looking for a compact yet versatile car for city and occasional highway use.
What sets the Exter apart in its segment is its paddle shifters with AMT, an 8-inch infotainment system, a factory-fitted sunroof, and six airbags as standard across all variants—a rare offering in this price bracket. It is also available in a CNG variant, featuring Hyundai’s innovative cylinder layout that preserves usable boot space.
Hyundai Exter Price in India
The Hyundai Exter price starts at ₹5.68 lakh for the base variant and goes up to ₹9.61 lakh (ex-showroom) for the top-end model. Prices may vary depending on fuel type, transmission, and location.
- Fuel options: Petrol, CNG
- Transmission options: Manual, Automatic (AMT)
The Exter is offered in 38 variants, giving buyers a wide range of choices based on budget and requirements.
Engine & Performance
The Hyundai Exter is powered by a 1.2-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 82 bhp and 113.8 Nm of torque. The engine is tuned for smoothness and efficiency rather than outright performance, making it ideal for city driving.
Performance Highlights
- Smooth and refined engine for daily commuting
- Well-tuned AMT gearbox with minimal jerks in normal driving
- Light clutch and slick gear shifts in the manual variant
- Paddle shifters add convenience and mild engagement in AMT
- Comfortable suspension setup absorbs city road imperfections well
Performance Limitations
- AMT feels slow during quick overtakes
- 0–100 km/h time of 15.26 seconds is not class-leading
- Not meant for aggressive or enthusiastic driving
Mileage & Fuel Efficiency
According to ARAI figures:
- Petrol Manual: 19.4 kmpl
- Petrol AMT: 19.2 kmpl
- CNG Manual (user-reported): ~22.6 km/kg
Real-world mileage remains competitive for a petrol crossover, especially in city conditions.
Interior Comfort & Technology
The Exter’s cabin is one of its strongest points. Thanks to the tall design, it offers excellent headroom and decent legroom, especially for rear passengers. Two adults can sit comfortably in the second row.
Key Interior Features
- 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Android Auto & Apple CarPlay
- Fully digital instrument cluster
- Wireless phone charging
- Voice-enabled electric sunroof
- Climate control with rear AC vents
- Cooled glovebox
- Keyless entry and cruise control
The 391-litre boot is practical enough to accommodate three cabin-sized suitcases along with smaller bags.
Interior Drawbacks
- No split-folding rear seats
- Missing driver armrest affects long-distance comfort
- Some hard plastics reduce the premium feel
Safety Features
Hyundai has made safety a key focus for the Exter.
Standard Safety Equipment
- Six airbags (standard across all variants)
- ABS with EBD
- Rear parking sensors
- Three-point seatbelts for all passengers
- Emergency braking stop signal
Higher-Variant Safety Features
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- Vehicle Stability Management (VSM)
- Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC)
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
- Rear camera with dynamic guidelines
- Integrated dashcam
Safety Limitations
- No official NCAP crash test rating yet
- Advanced safety features limited to higher trims
- No ADAS, which some rivals are beginning to offer
Exterior & Interior Styling
The Hyundai Exter stands out with its H-shaped LED DRLs, projector headlamps, and distinctive grille design. It also gets 15-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, roof rails, and a sporty rear spoiler.
Inside, the design is youthful with:
- Semi-leatherette upholstery
- Footwell lighting
- Contrast inserts
The Knight Edition adds an all-black theme with red highlights, red brake calipers, and sporty detailing for buyers seeking a bolder look.
Styling Concerns
- SUV styling may feel overdone to some
- Limited use of metallic or brushed accents inside
Pros and Cons Summary
Pros
- Six airbags standard across all variants
- Spacious cabin and practical boot
- Smooth AMT gearbox for city use
- Easy to drive and maneuver
- CNG option with usable boot space
Cons
- Not engaging to drive fast
- Top variants are expensive
- No ADAS features
- No official crash test rating yet
Final Verdict
The Hyundai Exter is a well-rounded, city-focused crossover that offers strong safety credentials, good comfort, modern features, and reliable performance at a competitive price. It may not be the most exciting car to drive, but it excels as a safe, practical, and easy-to-live-with urban vehicle.
For buyers looking for a compact car with SUV styling, everyday usability, and peace of mind from Hyundai’s reliability, the Exter makes a compelling case.