Hyundai Creta N Line

The Hyundai Creta is India’s favourite compact SUV with its premium looks, rich cabin, feature-loaded package, and multiple engine options. It really is the perfect family SUV, but if you want all those qualities in a sportier packaging, then Hyundai offers the Creta N Line. In this review, we take a look at how the Creta N Line offers a more enthusiastic-oriented package while retaining the qualities that made it such a competent family SUV.

• One glance is all you need to realise that this is no standard Hyundai Creta.

• The slight revisions to the design and sporty red inserts make the car immediately stand out from the standard Creta.

• While elements like the LED headlights, LED DRLs and sequential turn indicators are the same, the grille and bumper styling is different.

• Save for the new 18-inch alloy wheels with red brake callipers and red outlining on the side sill, the profile styling is largely identical. 

• The Creta N Line looks really sporty at the rear, thanks to revisions to its bumper with the dual exhaust tips and small diffuser-like elements.

• I really like the roof-mounted spoiler too, which has been inspired by Hyundai’s rally vehicles.

• Hyundai offers the Creta N Line with 3 monotone shades: Titan grey matte, Abyss black, and Atlas White.

• There are 3 dual-tone shades available as well: Thunder Blue, Shadow Grey, and Atlas White.

• Overall, Hyundai has done a good job of sportifying what was a rather family-friendly design of the Creta.

Design & Quality

• The layout of the Creta N Line’s cabin is identical to the standard SUV, but it gets an all-black theme with red inserts for the sporty feel.

• The N-line specific elements like the steering wheel, gear knob, and pedals further make the cabin look and feel more sporty.

• The quality, fit and finish is exactly the same as the standard Creta, which is good.

Driving comfort

• With tilt and telescopic steering adjustment, and manual seat height adjustment offered as standard, finding a comfortable driving position is super easy.

• An 8-way powered driver seat is available in the top variant, which eliminates the need to set the seat manually.

• Front passengers will appreciate the central armrest on long journeys.

Passenger comfort

• Getting in and out of the Creta N Line is easy.

• It offers plenty of space at the rear, with adequate storage in all parameters for an average-sized adult.

• While knee and footroom is plenty, really tall occupants might want a tad more headroom.

• The 2-step recline in the rear seats improve comfort on longer journeys, and equipment like a central armrest and sun shades help maintain that comfort.

• The Creta N Line is wide enough to accommodate three people at the back in fair comfort. The middle passenger will miss the central headrest though.

Storage options

• Despite its sportier theme, the Creta N Line packs the same storage options as the standard Creta.

• All four doors get 1-litre bottle pockets, there are two cup holders in the central console for the front passengers, and the wireless charging pad area can be used to store loose items like a wallet.

• The passenger side dashboard gets an open slab, which can be used to keep their devices.

• You get a cooled glove box which offers decent space to keep multiple cold drinks.

• The central armrest has a small space tucked away beneath it.

• For the rear passengers, there are seatback pockets, a small phone tray underneath the rear AC vents, and two cupholders in the central armrest.

Features

• With only two variants on offer, the Creta N Line packs a lot of equipment to keep you comfortable and entertained.

• The 10.25-inch touchscreen has fast response times and crisp graphics. Gets Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, but no wireless connectivity.

• The 8-speaker BOSE branded audio system offers good audio quality for regular usage.

• The 10.25-inch digital driver’s display has crisp graphics and multiple themes. It also displays the side feed when you indicate, which is helpful in heavy traffic.

• Dual-zone climate control lets front passengers set different temperatures for their side of the cabin.

• There are ventilated seats for the front passengers, which get three levels to choose from.

• The panoramic sunroof can be controlled via voice commands, and makes the cabin feel more airy.

• I like that Hyundai offers 3 type-C charging ports around the cabin. One is at the front, while the other two are at the back.

• While wireless phone chargers at the front are omnipresent, the Creta N Line also gets a rear wireless charging pad beneath the rear AC vents.

• Other features like keyless entry, 8-way powered driver seat, auto folding outside mirrors, push-button start/stop, cruise control, and automatic headlamps make up the Creta N Line’s feature list.

• Save for autonomous driving assistance features (ADAS), front parking sensors, and auto inside mirror, all of the safety equipment is offered as standard with the Creta N Line.

• The list includes 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, ISOFIX mounts, rear defogger, rear parking camera, electronic stability control, hill assist, and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

• The 360-degree camera of the Creta works well with good camera quality and multiple viewing angles.

• Just like the standard car, the Creta N Line hasn’t been crash tested by any independent agency yet.

• The Hyundai Creta N Line has a 433-litre boot.

• The boot is wide but shallow, so using small cabin-sized trolley bags is the best way to maximise the space available.

• With one medium and one small suitcase, you can still store a couple of duffle bags in the boot.

• The rear seats have a 60:40 split, so you can fold them down to store larger items. The seats fit flush with the boot, so pushing those items inside is easy as well.

• The Creta N Line gets only one engine: 1.5-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-petrol.

• Transmission options include a 6-speed manual and 6-speed dual clutch automatic (DCT).

• The Creta N Line’s turbo-petrol engine is the exact same unit that you get in the standard Creta as well.

• The only difference is that you can have the N Line’s turbo-petrol engine with a manual transmission as well.

• This engine offers you a refined experience with minimal noise and vibrations.

• I enjoyed driving the Creta N Line, as the engine feels quick and responsive.

• It reaches triple digit speeds quickly and even has enough power to overtake easily at those speeds.

• I would recommend the manual transmission with the Creta N Line, because it lets you have more fun with the car.

• The shifts have a nice mechanical feel to them, while the clutch feels light. So it is easy to use in the city too.

• However, I noticed that you might have to downshift to a lower gear at slow speeds, as the engine tends to stutter a fair bit.

• The dual clutch automatic is the same smooth and quick shifting unit as found in the standard car, and you can go choose it for its convenience factor over the manual.

• Hyundai claims a fuel efficiency of 18 kmpl with the manual, and 18.2 kmpl with the DCT.

• The Hyundai Creta N Line, despite its 18-inch alloys and slightly stiffer suspension, feels mostly comfortable.

• Regular city imperfections and speed breakers are absorbed with ease.

• Any level change at high speeds or expansion joints over flyovers is dealt with well.

• It is only over really rough roads that you’ll feel some side-to-side motion, but it doesn’t get too uncomfortable.

• The Creta N Line feels more confident to drive at higher speeds, with better control while making a high-speed lane change.

• The steering wheel not just feels better to grip, but also has added weight, which lets you corner hard with confidence.

• The Hyundai Creta N Line can be had in two variants: N8 and N10.

Hyundai Creta N Line N8

• Looks exactly like the top trim with a full LED setup, 18-inch alloys, and roof-mounted spoiler.

• Save for red ambient lighting, the interior is also the same as the top-spec variant with a black theme, N Line-specific bits, and leatherette inserts.

• All basic functional features are covered, and feel-good highlights include a panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control, push button start/stop, auto outside mirrors, and wireless phone charging (front).

• The infotainment package gets a 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a colored MID display for the driver, and a 6-speaker sound system.

• Safety kit packs 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, ISOFIX mounts, rear defogger, rear parking camera, electronic stability control, hill assist, and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

Hyundai Creta N Line N10

• The interior only gets two additions: red ambient lighting and rear seat headrest cushion.

• Top feature additions include voice-assisted panoramic sunroof, front ventilated seats, 2X type-C chargers (rear), wireless phone charger (front and rear), and 8-way powered driver seat.

• Improved infotainment package with a 10.25-inch touchscreen system with wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, and an 8-speaker BOSE sound system.

• The safety kit adds rain sensing wipers, Level-2 ADAS features, 360-degree camera and auto inside mirror.

CarDekho Recommends:

• With only two variants on offer, the base variant is a good option for people wanting the sportier version of the Creta, without having to sacrifice on the features.

• The top-spec variant can be opted for the full N Line experience. Its premium over the standard Creta for all its sporty cosmetic and small mechanical tweaks feel justified.

The Creta N Line is a great choice for people who want to keep their enthusiastic spirit of a petrol head alive, but at the same time, also cater to the needs and comfort of their family. Because while the drive experience is largely the same, the N Line builds on all the family-friendly qualities of the standard Creta, and adds tasteful visual cues that make it look and feel more sporty.

Other cars to consider instead of the Hyundai Creta N Line

Kia Seltos X-Line

Reasons to consider

• Sharper styling

• Also available with a diesel

Reasons to ignore

• Not as sporty looking