Buyers seeking a family-sized SUV with three rows of seats have until recently faced the choice of modestly-powered cars in the R200,000-R300,000 category, or more premium models costing above R650,000.
Hyundai’s seven-seat Grand Creta has arrived as a new “middle management” option to plug the gap, in a range of five models priced between R450,000-R550,000. The Grand Creta hits a sweet spot in terms of price and power, for those whose budgets don’t stretch to Hyundai’s seven-seat Santa Fe which retails for between R800,000-R900,000.
There is hard plastic on the dashboard instead of soft-touch surfaces, but it’s nevertheless a classy ambience with a neat and well kept look. The attractive artificial leather dual-tone seats are a highlight and do much to raise the upmarket look and feel of the interior. If you can live without those fancy features, the next model down is the one on test: the R509,900 Hyundai Grand Creta 1.5d Executive. For R50,000 less it still comes with a bountiful supply of features including keyless entry, wireless smartphone charging, cruise control, a rear parking camera and manual air-conditioning. Infotainment is provided by an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability.