SUVs have become incredibly popular in the Indian market, and each launch gets hearts racing. The recent launch of Hyundai’s micro-SUV, the Exter, was one such event. The launch of this SUV has created quite a stir in the segment, with segment leader Tata Punch clutching its throne hard and the underdog Citroen C3 hoping the masses will now notice it because of this new kid on the block. Anyway, how does the Hyundai Exter fare against the Tata Punch and the Citroen C3? Let’s find out.
Looks can be deceiving, and the Citroen C3 proves it. It boasts of being the longest in the segment, measuring 3981mm. The Tata Punch comes in second with 3827mm of length, while the Hyundai Exter has a length of 3815mm. Compared to the C3 and the Punch, the Exter's length falls short by 166mm and 12mm respectively.
In the width comparison, the Tata Punch aces the race with a 1742mm body. The Exter comes in third with a width of 1710mm. The Citroen C3 sits in between both of these SUVs at 1733mm. The Hyundai Exter is narrower than the C3 and the Punch by 23mm and 32mm respectively.
The Hyundai Exter excels in the field of height. It is the tallest of the trio, with a height of 1631mm. The Tata Punch and the Citroen C3 have a size of 1615mm and 1604mm respectively. This makes the Exter 27mm taller than the C3 and 16mm taller than the Punch.
In the wheelbase department, the Citroen C3 again hits the ball out of the park. With a total of 2540mm, this SUV aces the Hyundai Exter with a 2450mm wheelbase. The Tata Punch has the smallest wheelbase at 2445mm. Hence, the Hyundai Exter has a 90mm shorter wheelbase than the C3 but a 5mm longer footprint than the Punch.
The Hyundai Exter also has the largest boot in the segment, despite being the smallest car when measured for length. This micro-SUV from Hyundai has 391-litres of boot space, which is 25-litres more than the Punch and 76-litres more than the Citroen offering.
All the offerings in the segment are offered with a petrol engine. The Hyundai Exter, however, also has a CNG-powered engine, making it the only car to get a factory-fitted CNG system. This means that the Exter is offered in two fuel types - the pure petrol variant and the CNG variant. The Petrol mill churns out 81bhp of power and 113.8Nm of torque.
Conversely, the CNG-powered engine produces 68bhp of power and 95.2Nm of torque.
The Tata Punch is offered with the 1199cc 3-cylinder petrol engine that produces 64bhp and 115Nm which is the least of the three competitors.
The Citroen C3 is offered in two engine configurations - the Puretech 82 and the Puretech 110. The Puretech 82 produces 80bhp of power and 115Nm of torque, while the Puretech 110 manages to churn up a whopping 108bhp of power and 190Nm of torque. The Puretech 110 has the most powerful engine of the three micro-SUVs.
It is, however, noteworthy that the Hyundai comes with a four-cylinder engine, while its other two competitors employ three cylinders.
Starting with the Hyundai Exter, it offers a range of premium features. The instrument cluster and steering wheel are designed based on their elder siblings, providing a familiar and stylish look. The steering wheel is wrapped in semi-leather and offers controls for various functions. The Exter includes a 4.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and navigation capabilities. It also features footwell lighting, metal pedals, an adjustable driver seat, a sunroof with voice commands, wireless charging, rear AC vents, automatic temperature control, push-button start, and paddle shifters. The Exter is equipped with Hyundai's BlueLink feature, offering remote control functions through a mobile app as well as location-based services and safety features like six airbags, ESC, ABS, rear parking sensors, and more.
Moving to the Tata Punch showcases significant improvements in terms of packaging and features compared to its predecessor, the Ignis. It offers a cabin with increased space and easy ingress-egress due to doors that open at right angles. The Punch includes features such as automatic headlamps, automatic wipers, a semi-digital instrument cluster, a seven-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, an engine start/stop system, and a push-button start. The cabin materials feel richer, with solid build quality and improved fit-finish. The rear seat space is generous for two occupants, and the near-flat floor adds to the comfort. However, the Punch misses out on the rear AC vents and a rear charging point.
The Citroen C3 comes with a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It also features a digital instrument cluster and steering-mounted controls for audio and phone functions. The car is equipped with four speakers and front and rear USB charging ports. In terms of safety, the Citroen C3 includes dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, a speed-sensing auto door lock, rear parking sensors, and a high-speed alert system.
The Hyundai Exter offers multiple variants with different price points. The Exter EX is available at a starting price of Rs 5,99,990 lakh. The Exter S variant is priced at Rs 7,26,990 lakh. Moving up the range, the Exter SX is priced at Rs 7,99,990 lakh. The Exter SX(0) variant comes with a price tag of Rs 8,63,990 lakh, while the Exter SX(0) Connect is priced at Rs 9,31,990 lakh.
In comparison, the Tata Punch comes with a starting price of Rs 6 lakh and goes up to Rs 9.47 lakh for the top variant. The Citroen C3, on the other hand, has a starting price of Rs 6.16 lakh, and the top model of the C3 is priced at Rs 8.92 lakh. These prices vary based on the trim level and optional features.