Our long term Hyundai Exter has had a quiet couple of months in office with the boys taking all the bigger SUVs. I had of course been eyeing the Exter, having spent the past few months with the MG Comet and whisked the Exter’s keys from office last month. I’ve driven the Exter before and was impressed by its suitability as a compact, everyday SUV for effortless driving in city. But after driving the Comet the Exter suddenly feels a lot larger, albeit perfect for city driving. Needless to mention, it is also more powerful than the Comet and while the MG offers instant torque being an EV, the Exter’s performance is something that has me break into a smile. Add to that its sporty exhaust note, something the Comet could never deliver!
Our long termer is the manual version and I have to say, using three pedals does call for a bit of effort in traffic, but when you find an open stretch of tarmac, the results are equally rewarding. One reason for this is that while performance is brisk, the 1.2-litre engine powering the Exter is also smooth and quick to rev, which adds to its sporty feel.
This feel is complemented well by the Exter’s agility, courtesy its light yet responsive steering and overall light feel. It’s also interesting to note that while pegged as a compact city SUV, the Exter’s ground clearance is very good, helping it stay true to being an SUV, besides which the seating position is tall and offers a good view of the road. What’s also worth noting is that despite being less than four metres in length, the Exter impresses with its boot space and second row space. Overall, the Exter is also an interesting alternative to conventional hatchbacks and compact sedans I feel, which is yet another feather in its hat.
| Garage Update |
| Total: 6,283km |
| Previous: 5,660km |
| This Month: 623km |
| Fuel: 45 litres |
| Mileage: 13.8kmpl |
| Pros: Performance, features |
| Cons: Nothing yet |
