Next Generation Hyundai Creta (Not Sonet) Spied Testing Alongside New Kia Seltos [Video]

Hyundai Motor Company is currently working on the next-generation Hyundai Creta, and the SUV was recently spotted testing in India. The Creta has been an extremely important product in Hyundai’s journey in the Indian market and is also regarded as the SUV that set the benchmark in the mid-size SUV segment. The upcoming model has been undergoing extensive testing, and when the first images of the test mule surfaced online, many people initially believed it was the next-generation Kia Sonet. However, we were among the first to confirm that the SUV seen in the spy shots was actually the new-generation Creta and not the Sonet.

We have now come across a new video in which the upcoming Creta is seen testing alongside the next-generation Kia Seltos.

The video has been shared by Aakash Khambra on Instagram. Even in this video, the SUV is being referred to as the new Sonet. The confusion is mainly due to the design of the alloy wheels, which resemble the wheel designs commonly seen on Kia models.

However, if you compare the proportions and overall size, it is clear that the SUV is much larger than the Sonet, which itself is enough to clear the confusion. Earlier spy images of the new Creta showed the front grille completely covered with camouflage. During recent testing in India, however, the test drivers intentionally removed the camouflage from the grille area to improve airflow for the engine.

The SUV seen in the latest video is heavily camouflaged, just like the earlier test mules. However, we can clearly notice the pixel-style LED tail lamps glowing through the camouflage. The design of these tail lamps looks very different from the current-generation Creta and appears similar to the lighting elements seen on some premium Hyundai EVs sold internationally.

Internally, Hyundai is reportedly referring to this project as “SX3.” Reports also suggest that Hyundai has merged the development programs of the Kona and Creta. As a result, the SUV may continue to be called the Creta in India, while international markets could see it sold under the Kona name.

The new-generation Creta is expected to adopt a more boxy design language and could also grow in size compared to the current model. In the video, the SUV appears almost as large as the Kia Seltos. The front design is expected to draw inspiration from Hyundai’s Crater concept. It will likely feature a sharp-looking fascia with a connected LED light bar and dotted LED DRLs. The main headlamps are expected to be positioned lower on the bumper, while the grille could be designed in a way that seamlessly surrounds the lighting setup.

The alloy wheels seen on the test mule may not be final, and the production-spec version could get a completely different design. Like previous generations of the Creta, the upcoming model is also expected to offer a premium cabin experience.

The interior is likely to be heavily redesigned to match Hyundai’s latest SUV design philosophy. The international-spec model is expected to feature a column-mounted gear shifter, which would free up additional storage space in the centre console area. However, it remains unclear whether the India-spec version will receive the same setup or continue with a conventional centre-console-mounted gear selector.

As expected, the cabin is likely to feature premium-looking materials along with soft-touch surfaces on the dashboard and door pads. Hyundai is also expected to offer a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system paired with a fully digital driver display of the same size.

The SUV may also debut Hyundai’s next-generation Pleos Connect operating system, which is expected to give the cabin a more modern and connected feel. There is even a possibility that Hyundai could offer a slim passenger-side display and adopt a more minimalistic digital instrument cluster design.

In terms of safety and convenience features, the next-generation Creta is expected to come loaded with Level 2 ADAS, six or seven airbags, and several other advanced features.

The SUV will reportedly be based on Hyundai’s K3 platform, which means it is expected to achieve a 5-star safety rating in Bharat NCAP crash tests.

Hyundai is likely to continue offering the same engine options as the outgoing model. These include a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, and a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine.

In addition to these, Hyundai will also introduce a brand-new 1.5-litre strong-hybrid petrol engine that is being specifically developed for the Indian market. This hybrid powertrain could eventually replace the diesel engine by offering a better balance between fuel efficiency and performance.