And the Creta has now joined the TURBOCHARGED garage for a long term test! Any automotive journalist worth his/her salt will tell you, the Creta is a keeper. So when Hyundai India loaned us one, I had to pull rank and take it home. More so, because we’ve got the diesel version. Now, the Creta is one of the only SUVs in its segment to be offered with an oil burner – there’s a strong demand for its diesel version even today, as 50 percent Cretas sold are diesels! And a big reason behind the same is its phenomenal fuel efficiency. One of my close relatives residing in Gurugram has been driving a diesel Creta for four years now and refuses to drive anything else despite having multiple cars at home (including an Audi A6 diesel) given its fuel efficiency. In fact he never fails to boast about his Creta’s engine refinement and frugal manners and claims it returns close to 26kmpl on the highway consistently, which isn’t a figure you hear very often, not in the Creta’s segment!

Living with this new Creta is something I’m looking forward to thus, because it’s also been a while since I had a diesel SUV as my daily driver. And guess what – when I tanked it up, tank range displayed by the trip computer was a staggering 905km! Not a figure I’ve seen in a really long time, especially since the Grand Vitara strong hybrid. A day trip from Pune to Mumbai and back also affirmed the enviable fuel efficiency numbers – the trip computer was consistently displaying 24kmpl or more, which was also close to the actual efficiency, as I found out on tanking up again later that evening, to calculate fuel efficiency. Ours is the manual version, with a 6-speed gearbox but despite driving for over 400km on the day, including driving from Pune to Mumbai and back via the Expressway and through Mumbai’s infamous traffic, I had no issues using the clutch given its lightness. In fact I enjoyed using a manual transmission for as long – most new cars are equipped with automatic gearboxes which makes for convenience, but nothing beats using the good old H-pattern of a manual gearbox!

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It is interesting to note that despite the intense competition in the premium mid-size SUV segment, Hyundai stands out as the sole brand offering an SUV equipped with a diesel manual powertrain combo in its top-tier variants offering a larger choice to the customer. The SX (O) trim is similar to the 1.5 turbocharged petrol Creta Ed drove back in January so to know more about the design, interiors and features, you can check out his review here.

The Creta’s 1.5-litre CRDi diesel powertrain is a tried-and-tested mill, delivering 116PS and 250Nm, mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. It is known to be the jack of all trades, offering adequate performance and impressive fuel economy. These traits have been carried over along with better refinement. The demeanour of the engine immediately makes an impression by displaying a notable absence of the typical diesel clatter or judder at startup becoming vocal only close to the redline.This makes it quite the relaxing intercity cruiser. The powertrain impresses in other areas, like the ample low-end torque which makes overtaking manoeuvres in congested city traffic an effortless affair.

I have always preferred manual gearboxes primarily for its ability to be able to skip gears while downshifting or upshifting. While this is also achievable in a DCT with paddle shifters, the manual transmission offers a quicker transition from 5th to 3rd gear. Achieving that perfect gear shift is very satisfying, with the Creta being forgiving even amidst imperfect executions. The low-end torque ensures seamless acceleration from low speeds, even in third gear, even when met with a heavy foot.
While this is no sporty diesel, it revs up swiftly accompanied by precise and positive gear changes. The clutch pedal feels quiterev light for a diesel, helpful in navigating stop-and-go traffic situations. Its fuel-efficiency too, returning an impressive 14kmpl in stop-and-go city traffic. Cruising at 90kmph in 6th gear yielded an impressive fuel economy of over 20kmpl.

The Creta’s diesel variants feature a softer suspension tune further complemented by 16-inch wheels shod with high-profile tyres. These help the Creta tackle potholes and speed bumps without discomfort to the passenger. It’s worth noting that this suspension setup offers a more supple ride compared to its turbo petrol counterparts. Furthermore, the effortlessly light steering makes light work of navigating traffic and city bylanes, contributing to an overall relaxing driving experience in the city. Despite the softer suspension tune, the diesel Creta feels composed at highway speeds, ensuring a comfortable ride and exhibiting stable dynamics in corners.

To sum it up, the Hyundai Creta, with its 1.5-litre diesel engine and 6-speed manual transmission, presents itself as a compelling entryway in the mid-size SUV segment, with prices starting at Rs 12.45 lakhs for the diesel MT powertrain variants and topping off at Rs 18.89 lakhs for the Creta diesel MT SX (O) variant we are driving. With refined performance, commendable fuel efficiency, and a comfortable ride, it stands out among its competitors by being an all-rounder family SUV. The integration of technology, coupled with a relaxed driving experience, ensures a soothing experience both in urban landscapes and on open highways. For those seeking a combination of efficiency, performance, and calm driving pleasure, the Hyundai Creta diesel MT emerges as a worthy contender in the segment.

The post Hyundai Creta: Road Test Review first appeared on Turbocharged.

The GLA is offered in two variants in India – the Progressive Line and the AMG Line. We are driving the latter. At the front, it gets a new bumper design with faux air dams. The AMG Line gets a body-coloured front apron, adding a sporty look. The pin chrome AMG Line grille further adds to the visual drama and complements the refreshed headlamps that now feature DRL eyebrows.

The side profile remains unchanged. The higher roofline gives it a better road presence than the first-gen GLA, something that appeals to Indian buyers. Our review unit gets 19-inch alloys with AMG centre caps and chunky rubber, nestled in squared-off wheel arches that add more muscle. At the rear, the GLA gets the same bumper design with faux air dams, exhaust tips, and a diffuser that continues the sporty theme. What has changed, though, is the redesigned tail lamps that make the SUV feel wider.

The interiors receive a mild refresh as well. It gets a new AMG Line flat-bottom steering wheel featuring touch-sensitive buttons similar to other Mercedes-Benz AMG Line cars. It’s quite comfortable to hold and the buttons are easy to operate as well. The dual-screen setup comprises a fully digital instrument cluster, which can be configured with multiple theme options, including a navigation theme that shows the map across the entire display. The infotainment screen is a touchscreen unit with the latest MBUX software and is compatible with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It gets a wireless charger in the centre console in addition to five USB Type-C ports split between the front and rear passengers. The 10.25-inch infotainment system gets inbuilt navigation along with voice recognition and a zero-layer learning feature. The GLA learns which features you use the most and changes the layout so the most-used functions are at the tap of a button, eliminating multiple layers of input from the user. The addition of a mobile gaming console in the infotainment unit is a great way to spend time and the Match 3 game even has a G-Wagen as a superpower, to bulldoze an entire grid — a Mercedes-Benz-themed Candy Crush? Yes, please.

The tech department has been enhanced further by a digital key handover and Mercedes-Benz’s Parktronic function, which uses the cameras mounted on the outside rearview mirrors to scan for empty parking spots on either side of the SUV. Once it finds a suitable spot, it will ask you to activate the function. Press the Parktronic button placed in the centre console, which earlier featured the touchpad to control the infotainment screen and has been replaced. The car then takes over the controls from you, prompting you to keep your foot close to the brake in case of an emergency. But overall, the GLA will indicate, change gears, steer, and even accelerate and brake for you to park the car in the determined spot without any drama. 

The GLA also gets safety features like a 360-degree camera, Blind Spot Assist, Active Brake Assist and more.

The AMG-Line features a Microfiber black upholstery, which imitates the Alcantara-like feel to further continue the sporty theme on the inside. The wooden trim panels have been replaced with a carbon structure trim and the configurable ambient lighting makes the cabin feel futuristic and premium. The GLA also sports a panoramic sunroof that is divided into two for the front and rear passengers, making the cabin feel airy. The seats are comfortable and well-bolstered. These get kinetic seats function but miss out on the ventilated seats feature. 

The GLA facelift retains the same powertrain options- 1.3-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged-petrol with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, and a 2-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine producing 190PS and 400Nm of torque paired to an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. We are driving the latter. The powertrain is refined and ensures smooth power delivery from the get-go. Switch to Sport, and the throttle becomes sharper with aggressive gear changes. There is no delay in shifts from the dual-clutch gearbox, which ensures you are always in the meat of the powerband, resulting in linear acceleration until the redline. Launching it from nought has no drama whatsoever with the 4MATIC all-wheel drive efficiently putting the torque onto the tarmac, which also helps it grip, tons of grip! Switch to Comfort, and the steering wheel becomes lighter with laid-back gear shifts. Switching it into Eco, the throttle eases out to maximise fuel efficiency with a stark difference from the Sport mode.

 The chassis is stiff to complement the performance and the suspension firms up in Sport mode with body roll kept in check. The steering is direct with precise control and ample feedback. I would have liked some more feedback personally. Driving it with a heavy foot is easy thanks to the brakes that complement the performance with enough stopping power, a good bite, and short travel. 

The second-generation GLA brought in more premiumness and space into the equation, almost feeling a class above its predecessor. The new facelift helps accentuate that feeling by adding in more tech, something first-time buyers will appreciate. The GLA has been priced at Rs 50.50 lakh, which is a little over Rs 2 lakh premium over its predecessor. This seems justified given the number of features that have been included as standard in the facelift. As it stands the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLA comes across as an accomplished SUV. 

The post Mercedes-Benz GLA 220d 4MATIC: First Drive Review first appeared on Turbocharged.