The Hyundai Creta is a subcompact crossover SUV that was first introduced in 2014 while the second generation came about in 2019. The Creta is primarily designed for the BRICS market which means that it can not be bought in most parts of the Western world. In this article, we will go through all the common problems with the Hyundai Creta, so be sure to stick around!
Starting with the overall feel and lack of premium materials, many people immediately pointed out that the Hyundai Creta is not as well built as many other Hyundai SUVs. We also need to talk about the engine which does sometimes experience issues with the engine coils while the turbocharger has managed to fail on a few of these.
The infotainment can sometimes freeze and become unresponsive which can be a nuisance while driving as it requires you to restart the car. Overall, the Hyundai Creta does seem to be a fairly reliable car is does not suffer from too many issues, not yet at least.
Now it’s time to go in a more in depth look about all of these issues which should help you understand if these could be a dealbreaker. The general reception of the Hyundai Creta seems to be really good as most owners are satisfied with it and there really isn’t enough info online to say otherwise.
Build Quality Issues
The Hyundai Creta is not a premium car and that is rather to be expected as Hyundai as a brand isn’t known for making luxury cars, no matter the market. Be that as it may, many people have complained that the Creta uses low-quality build materials throughout the car’s cabin, so much so that the overall feel of the vehicle isn’t on par with Hyundai’s global models.
Most of the criticism is pointed towards the use of way too much hard plastic which just isn’t expected in a car such as the Creta. The infotainment system positioning and integration is deemed as cool for some, but others deem it to be a bit too aftermarket-looking. The virtual cockpit display is basic and does not offer any high-resolution modes and it isn’t configurable as much as most displays are these days.
Engine Coil Issues
The Creta does seem to suffer from engine coil issues which can present themselves in a few different ways. For starters, the issue is likely to be followed by a check engine light and acceleration pace that simply isn’t the way it should be. The less efficient your combustion process becomes, the worse your fuel economy is going to become which is a common trait for engines with coil issues.
Misfiring can be caused by spark plug problems, plug wires, and ignition coils, but with many other systems as well. Misfiring is typically associated with RPM fluctuations which are mostly noticeable when the car is idling. Either way, be sure to take your car to the dealership so you can properly assess what is wrong with it.
Turbocharger Issues
There are a few owners online frustrated with their Creta models breaking down due to turbocharger issues. These have stated that the car tends to emit weird whistling noises, especially on the highway before any of these issues actually take place. This is also followed by start vibrations when putting your foot down which immediately points toward the turbocharger.
White smoke coming out of the exhaust is also a common trait and it points toward turbocharger issues as well. Be that as it may, if you do experience any of these, be sure to stop your car in order not to create any more issues down the line.
Infotainment Issues
The Hyundai Creta comes with a few different infotainment system setups depending on the market, the trim level, and the rest of the equipment. However, the problem is not necessarily design as much as it is that the system can often become really unresponsive and even freeze which is worrying for a new infotainment system.
The Creta has been around for just a few years now which begs the question if the system is going to become laggy down the line. A few owners also said that the infotainment can sometimes go completely blank which will require you to restart your car, sometimes even re-setting the entire system.
FAQ Section
Is the Hyundai Creta coming to the US?
The Hyundai Creta is not going to arrive to the US anytime soon as Hyundai didn’t intend this subcompact SUV to go there at all. Hyundai offers the Kona EV in the States which is the most similar car to the Creta as far as an overall package is concerned. The Kona EV is a bit smaller, but is overall a higher quality vehicle inside and out.
It’s the exact same story in South Korea, Europe, Australia, and Canada where you can’t buy the Creta but you can buy the Kona EV.
Should I buy the Hyundai Creta?
If you are in the market for a subcompact family SUV, the Hyundai Creta is a decent choice overall. It offers enough space, it seems to be fairly reliable, and it is priced relatively well. However, if you are used to premium brands, the Hyundai Creta is going to feel like a big downgrade.
It is not a car that tries to be premium or feels that way in any way shape or form. If you just want something that is good-looking, reliable, and spacious, the Creta is a good option.
Is the Hyundai Creta an off-road SUV?
The Hyundai Creta is an SUV as that is apparent the moment you lay your eyes on it, but it isn’t made for off-roading, not even one bit. The main reason why is that it does not come with AWD in any trim and engine combo which just makes it a FWD car with a higher center of gravity.
True, it does also come with a higher center of gravity, but even so, with road-biased tires, it is no different than a Hyundai i20 off-road.
