2023 Hyundai Exter Ownership Review After 30,000 Kilometers: A Comprehensive Long-Term Test

Finding the ideal combination between comfort, functionality, and features in compact SUVs can be difficult these days. After driving the 2023 Hyundai Exter SX(O) for nearly 30,000 kilometers, we put it through its paces—city traffic, highways, and even some hilly terrain. 

• The Hyundai Exter is perfect for those who are looking for a city commuter that's easy to drive around busy streets.
• Although, the Exter is not the perfect micro-SUV you can buy; there are some flaws too!

Here's an overview of our ownership experience, covering everything from performance to dependability, so you can make an informed decision.

How Does The Hyundai Exter Stand Out?

In the congested compact SUV market, Hyundai's Exter stands out for its combination of utility and comfort, making it ideal for urban environments. We looked into competitors such as the Tata Punch and Citroen C3, but neither could equal the Exter's premium interior quality or feature list. 

The Exter includes high-end equipment like as a sunroof, automatic transmission, and a well-appointed cabin, which are generally found in more expensive vehicles.

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A similarly-equipped Venue would’ve cost us nearly 14 lakhs, but the Exter provided the same features at a more affordable price with the compromise in size. However, its compact size makes it ideal for navigating tight city streets, where maneuverability often trumps sheer space, hence for an individual it’s a perfect suit!

City Driving Experience

In terms of driving inside the City, the Exter has proven to be a reliable and easy car to be in. Its small size and automatic transmission make it easy to manage through heavy traffic and tight parking spaces. The cabin is quiet enough, and the infotainment screen responds quickly, providing a comfortable, stress-free driving experience. It's the type of vehicle that makes daily commutes considerably more simple and comfortable.

But there are limits to the Exter when it comes to driving on highways and climbing steep hills. In order to maintain torque on inclines, the automated-manual transmission may have trouble and need to be in manual mode. Although it does admirably at normal highway speeds, the AMT's slow response time makes overtaking feel clunky. 

In terms of stability, the Exter stays planted to the road even in triple-digit speeds, but that’s up to 130 km/h. You will notice a drop in stability after that. For extended journeys, this is fortunately not a problem due to the 80-100-120 km/h speed limits on the majority of Indian highways.

Fuel Efficiency: Impressive for Its Class

The Exter's fuel efficiency was one of its biggest pluspoints. It manages about 12 to 15 km/l in city traffic, which is quite good given the congestion in cities like Gurgaon. It's even better on the highway; we were able to achieve up to 18 km/l while maintaining a constant speed of 80 to 100 km/h. However, the mileage will likely decrease to about 12 km/l if you push it above 100 km/h. 

Overall, it's effective enough for both long journeys and daily driving.

Interior Comfort and Features

There are a lot of features in the Exter SX(O), particularly in terms of interior comfort. Advanced driver assistance technologies, a touchscreen infotainment system, and a sunroof are all quite beneficial. We find the interior to be very comfortable for everyday use, and the materials utilized inside feel high-end. The rear AC vents are a nice addition for passengers in the back, and the automatic transmission is ideal for city traffic.

However, the boot capacity is on the tiny side, and the back seats are a little tight for taller passengers. You may find the storage to be rather constrained if you're packing for a lengthy road trip. However, it's more than sufficient for small families or couples.

AC Performance

The air conditioning system on the Exter deserves a special mention. The AC cools down the whole cabin swiftly and effectively, even during the hottest months of summer. 

Even in the hottest Indian weather, we discovered that adjusting the temperature to about 23–24°C was more than sufficient for a comfortable ride. To keep everyone relaxed, the back AC vents also contribute to the cabin's cooling.

Reliability and After-Sales Service

One of the Exter's best qualities has been its dependability. The car hasn't had any significant mechanical or electrical problems, even though it was part of the first production batch. The AC hasn’t seen any issues so far, and the infotainment system is still operating without a hitch. Hyundai's attention to detail is evident from the fact that there have been no indications of quality control issues in almost 30,000 kilometers.

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Hyundai has not let us down in terms of after-sales support. The vehicle has undergone three servicing sessions, each costing approximately Rs. 5,000–6,000 (not including labor costs, which are currently free). Hyundai’s pick-up and drop service is also a very convenient option for most working professionals. 

Areas for Improvement

The Exter is impressive in many ways, yet it is lacking in some places. Considering that Hyundai is known for its cutting-edge technology, the halogen projector headlights seem antiquated for a top-end model of the Exter. An upgrade to fully LED headlamps would have been much appreciated, especially for nighttime driving.

Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are also absent. It seems as though Hyundai lost out on a chance to remain ahead of the curve in this area as rivals are now providing wireless connectivity. 

Furthermore, we regret that it does not have a powered driver's seat, particularly in light of other Hyundai-Kia models like the Sonet that has memory settings for this feature. We won’t complain about it as much but it’d have been a great addition to the Exter for sure!

Final Verdict

For those seeking a small SUV that is ideal for city driving, the Hyundai Exter is a good option. It offers excellent value for the money thanks to its remarkable feature set, comfort, and dependability. It is still a formidable competitor in its class, despite certain shortcomings, such as outdated illumination and limited connectivity options. 

The Exter is unquestionably something to think about if you want a stress-free ownership experience with a vehicle that strikes a balance between functionality and flair.

However, if you want a car for your family, you are likely going to find the Venue better at this price!