Things You Should Consider Before Buying a Used Creta

The Hyundai Creta made its debut in India in 2015. It was a stylish and no-nonsense crossover SUV, which offered a combination of good space, a high level of comfort, and modern equipment. A long list of variants and a selection of petrol and diesel engines to choose from, meant it is easy to find a Creta to suit your needs. Whether you are looking to upgrade from a smaller car, or get your first SUV, there is a new or used Hyundai Creta for you. The Creta has been a bestseller for Hyundai and is one of India’s bestselling SUVs. The sheer number of engine and transmission choices, as well as timely updates and special edition Creta models ensure it always is in high demand. This bodes well for both resale value and parts availability. It’s one of those cars that just seem to have it all together.

Hyundai Creta: Model Overview

The Creta was Hyundai’s first mid-size urban SUV, positioned below the much larger Tucson, and it was a runaway success for Hyundai. It was also locally produced in India at the outset. The Creta delivered what people wanted from a car: great cabin comfort, many modern features, efficient engines and an easy to drive nature. Thus, it went through two generations and two facelift models in a rather quick succession to keep the excitement fresh.

First Generation (2015-2020, GS)

The Hyundai Creta was first revealed in 2014 as the ix25 for international markets. It was launched in India in July 2015 and was on sale until 2018 when the facelift arrived. The Creta shared its engine options with the Verna sedan. The simple approach of focusing on everyday usability paid off for Hyundai and it found many takers, racking up over 70,000 bookings in less than five months. The first-gen Creta had one 121-bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine and two diesels; an 89-bhp 1.4-litre and a 127-bhp 1.6-litre. All three engines had a 6-speed manual transmission as standard while the 1.6 diesel also had a choice of a 6-speed automatic transmission. The made-in-India SUV got off to a strong start thanks to 90% localisation and a starting price of less than ₹ 10 lakh for the base variant. Above that were the S, S+, SX, SX+ and SX(O) variants.

The facelift model arrived in May 2018 and it was an even more refined effort. The cabin quality and materials felt premium and it offered even greater comfort and better sound insulation. The 1.6 petrol engine also received the option of a 6-speed automatic transmission. A new “E” variant was introduced between the base and the “S” variants.

Second Generation (2020-present, SU2)

The second-gen Creta was introduced in March 2020. It brought in polarising styling with a radically new front end design. Daytime running light strips came in where the headlights used to be. Projector headlight clusters took up the lower area of the front fascia where the fog-lamps would have been. A bold set of LED tail-lights also complemented the Creta’s bold new look. Higher variants were equipped with a large sunroof, and premium audio with Bose speakers. With the BS6 emission standard coming into effect in April 2020, the older engines were replaced by a new selection. The new 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine made 114 bhp and had a choice of 6-speed manual or a continuously variable automatic transmission (called “IVT” by Hyundai). A more powerful 1.4-litre T-GDI turbo petrol engine was also introduced, delivering 138 bhp and 242 Nm. This turbo-petrol engine was offered with a choice of 6-speed manual or a 7-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission (DCT). The new “U2 CRDI” 1.5 turbo-diesel option produced 114 bhp and 250 Nm. The diesel engine had a choice of 6-speed manual or torque converter automatic transmissions.

The facelift model was introduced in 2024 and is the current Creta model on sale. It received major styling and feature updates. The exterior brought in even more distinct LED lighting front and rear. The engines were updated to comply with BS6-II regulations. The interior was spruced up to offer more comfort, advanced safety, and better connectivity, making it a comprehensive update. Some of the new features include ADAS with Smart Cruise Control, autonomous braking, lane keep and assist, traction modes, paddle shifters for the automatic options. The 1.5 petrol was retained but the 1.4 TGDI was replaced by a larger and more powerful 1.5 TDGI with 158 bhp and 253 Nm. The 1.5 turbo-diesel received advanced emission control tech with a full selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system with diesel exhaust fluid replacing the NOx trap setup from before. This also makes the Creta diesel one of the cleanest ICE cars on sale.

There is also a sportier Creta N-Line based on the 1.5 TGDI engine and 7-speed DCT automatic. This version features a different grille, revised dynamics with tweaked steering system and firmer suspension.The Creta N-Line is targeted at more enthusiast drivers.

The all-new Creta Electric will also go on sale. There are two versions of the Creta Electric: a standard range model with 133 bhp and 42-kWh battery and 390-km range, and a more powerful 169 bhp version with a 51.4-kWh battery and 473 km of range.

Maintenance and Service Costs of the Creta

The service cost is one of the main factors to consider when buying a second hand Creta because of its impact on overall cost of ownership. Hyundai India has enhanced the ownership experience and touch points over the years and the number of Creta models sold reflects their commitment to customer experience. Here is the average service cost for the first five years of service for the Creta.

The parts for the Creta are very easily available as it is a bestselling car and Hyundai India has consistently expanded its dealer and service network across India with a number of stockists across the country for a wide range of original parts. Finding a Hyundai service centre is easy, and getting your Creta serviced on time will ensure its reliable for long term use.

Apart from the periodic service schedule, a second hand Creta with high mileage on the odometer may just require a major service after 60,000 km or so. That means replacement of parts such as spark plugs, brake pads and maybe even the clutch plate. The following are the costs that may be involved:

Brakes: Keep the brakes in check by replacing the brake pads at around 30,000 km. The Creta’s disc rotors front and rear cost ₹3,300-3,400 and brake pads are around ₹3,700-3,800.

Under the Bonnet: An extensively used Creta will need some replacement or another under the bonnet to keep things smooth. The Creta petrol’s spark plugs cost ₹1,125-1,399 for a set, the fan belt costs ₹700 and the timing chain costs ₹2,990.

Clutch: A modern car’s clutch will last for a long time with normal driving but eventually it would need to be replaced at around 75,000 km. The clutch plate replacement cost for Creta is approximately ₹5,250 plus labour and consumables.

Resale Value of the Creta

The Hyundai Creta is one of the most popular cars in India and a top-selling SUV. It is also highly localised, too, and therefore commands a higher resale value. On average, even an eight-year old used Creta retains about 45% of its original purchase value, whereas a three-year old Creta retains over 75% of its value! Because of ever-increasing new car prices, a used Creta is one of the most popular choices for those seeking to upgrade to an SUV. The resale value does depend upon several factors such as:

Model Year: Newer car models have a higher resale value than older models.

Variant: Higher variants like SX(O) trim or the automatic diesel or TGDI DCT variants are more expensive and thus have a higher resale value because of their features and equipment.

Condition: A well-maintained Creta that has seen regular service and which has its service history available record will have better resale value.

Mileage: A more sparingly used car with a lower odometer reading will have a higher value.

Common Problems with a Creta

1. Steering feel:
   The steering wheel feel has been called vague by some Creta users across internet forums. Others report a lighter than comfortable steering wheel feel on older Creta models. Users also say the steering control module is delicate and is prone to failure.
    
2. Vibration:
   There are reports of increasing vibration with time from some old Creta users. Regular use on rough roads can lead to unwanted squeaks and rattles, and even risk of suspension damage over time.
    
3. Service quality:
   Lack of power and non-working switches have been noticed after fourth service and later. Although, this may be down to the dealer rather than car quality.
    

Specifications of the Hyundai Creta (2024–present)

Here are all the specifications you need for the current version of the Creta in India.

Conclusion

The Hyundai Creta is a versatile and easy to drive mid-size SUV that caters to varying needs. It is locally produced and genuine spare parts are easily available. It is popular in cities as well as rural areas because of its SUV stance, choice of engines, and the Creta brand name. The high level of equipment makes the Creta a smart used car choice.