Hyundai Exter
Specs, engines and history
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By Felix Hartmann, Automotive Technology & EV Contributor
Which Exter to buy - verdict
Our verdict · Felix Hartmann
For most buyers the petrol AMT is the sensible choice: 38 per cent of pre-launch orders were for it, and it keeps the full 391-litre boot. The CNG model makes sense for high-mileage city use, where its gas consumption lowers running costs. Because six airbags are standard throughout, even the base versions are well protected, so the choice between trims is mostly about convenience features such as the sunroof, dashcam and touchscreen.
The Hyundai Exter is a small five-door crossover that Hyundai Motor India builds in Chennai and has sold since July 2023. At about 3.8 metres it sits below the Venue as the brand's entry-level SUV in India, and it shares its K1 platform, 1.2-litre engine and dashboard with the Grand i10 Nios hatchback and the Aura saloon. The Exter is also sold in South Africa from September 2024, and it was named Indian Car of the Year 2024.
In short
- Revealed on 8 May 2023, launched in India on 10 July 2023; production started in June 2023.
- One engine: 1,197 cc Kappa petrol with 61 kW (83 PS), or 50.5 kW (69 PS) on CNG.
- Six airbags as standard on every version; ESC on most.
- Launch prices in July 2023 ran from INR 599,900 to INR 999,990, or about €6,600 to €11,000 at the 2023 exchange rate.
Hyundai Exter at a glance
| Specification | Hyundai Exter |
|---|---|
| Model code | AI3 CUV |
| Production | June 2023 – present |
| Plant | Hyundai Motor India, Chennai |
| Segment | A-segment crossover (sub-4-metre SUV in India) |
| Body | five-door hatchback-crossover, five seats |
| Platform | Hyundai-Kia K1, front engine, front-wheel drive |
| Engine | 1.2 l Kappa four-cylinder petrol; petrol/CNG bi-fuel |
| Gearbox | five-speed manual or five-speed AMT |
| Related models | Hyundai Grand i10 Nios, Hyundai Aura |
| Markets | India (from July 2023), South Africa (from September 2024) |
The Exter is part of our Hyundai catalogue. The brand's background and landmark models are covered in our history of Hyundai.
Launch, plant and position in Hyundai's range
Hyundai revealed the Exter in May 2023 and opened bookings before the launch: more than 11,000 orders arrived before 10 July 2023, with automated-manual versions taking 38 per cent and CNG versions 20 per cent. Paul Tan's launch report called it Hyundai's cheapest SUV in India. Wikipedia describes it as India's alternative to the Casper, the smallest Hyundai crossover sold in Korea.
The car sits below the Hyundai Venue compact SUV and the Hyundai Creta in the Indian range. In December 2023 a jury selected it as Indian Car of the Year (ICOTY) 2024. A facelift was launched on 20 March 2026; current Indian price lists use new variant names from HX2 to HX10.
Engines, transmissions and performance
There is only one engine family, the 1,197 cc Kappa naturally aspirated four-cylinder, which is E20-compatible and meets the Indian BS VI emission norm.
| Version | Fuel | Power (kW / PS) | Torque | Gearbox |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 Kappa | petrol | 61 kW (83 PS) at 6,000 rpm | 113.8 Nm at 4,000 rpm | 5-speed manual or 5-speed AMT with paddles |
| 1.2 Kappa bi-fuel | petrol / CNG | 50.5 kW (69 PS) | 95.2 Nm | 5-speed manual only |
All versions drive the front wheels. Hyundai does not offer a turbocharged engine, a diesel, a hybrid or all-wheel drive on the Exter.
Dimensions, interior space and boot capacity
The sources disagree slightly on the outside dimensions. Paul Tan's launch report gives the 2023 figures, while Autocar India's current specification table (and Wikipedia's length) are a little larger.
| Parameter | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 3,815 mm (launch) / 3,830 mm (Autocar India, Wikipedia) | 150.2 / 150.8 in |
| Width | 1,710 mm / 1,723 mm | 67.3 / 67.8 in |
| Height | 1,631 mm / 1,643 mm | 64.2 / 64.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 2,450 mm | 96.5 in |
| Boot (petrol) | 391 l | 13.8 cu ft |
| Boot (CNG) | 225 l | 7.9 cu ft |
| Fuel tank | 37 l petrol; CNG cylinder 60 l water equivalent | 9.8 US gal |
| Tyres | 175/65 R15 | - |
The CNG equipment cuts the boot from 391 to 225 litres. The suspension uses MacPherson struts at the front and a coupled torsion beam at the rear, with disc brakes at the front and drums at the rear.
Fuel economy and running costs
Autocar India lists 19.4 km/l for the petrol Exter (about 5.2 l/100 km) and 27.1 km per kg of gas for the CNG version. These are Indian test-cycle figures, not WLTP values; our fuel economy converter turns km/l into l/100 km or mpg. On paper, the 37-litre petrol tank is good for about 700 km. Autocar India's long-term test video of 5,800 km is linked below for a real-world view.
Trims and equipment
At launch in India the range was EX, S, SX, SX (O) and SX (O) Connect, with CNG on the S and SX. The South African range of September 2024 is Premium, Executive and Elite; the first two have a manual gearbox with the AMT as an option, and the Elite comes with the AMT as standard. After the 2026 update, Autocar India's Indian price list uses a new naming scheme with 15 versions from HX2 to HX10: petrol versions with a manual or AMT, and CNG manual versions in the HX2, HX3, HX4, HX6 and HX8 grades. The top Indian versions came with:
- projector headlamps, H-shaped LED daytime running lights and LED tail lights;
- 15-inch alloy wheels and a powered sunroof;
- an 8-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a digital instrument cluster;
- a dual-camera dashcam, wireless phone charging, keyless entry and automatic air conditioning with rear vents;
- connected-car functions with vehicle tracking and an emergency call button.
Safety equipment
Every Exter has six airbags, seat-belt reminders for all seats, speed-sensing door locks and ISOFIX child-seat anchors. Most versions add ESC with vehicle stability management, ABS with EBD, brake assist, hill-start assist, a reversing camera and tyre-pressure monitoring. The sources used here record no Global NCAP or Bharat NCAP crash-test result for the Exter, so no star rating is given.
Rivals: how the Exter compares
The Exter's main rival in India is the Tata Punch, another small crossover under four metres. Within Hyundai's own range the Grand i10 Nios offers the same engine in a lower hatchback body, and the Venue is the next step up in size. To set the Exter against these cars by size, power or price, use our car comparison tool or filter small SUVs in the car finder.
Photo gallery
FAQ
How many generations of the Hyundai Exter are there?
One. The Exter has been built since June 2023; a facelift arrived in March 2026.
What is the fuel consumption of the Hyundai Exter?
Autocar India lists 19.4 km/l (about 5.2 l/100 km) for the petrol version and 27.1 km/kg for the CNG version.
Is the Hyundai Exter available with all-wheel drive or as a hybrid?
No. Every Exter has front-wheel drive and a 1.2-litre petrol engine, optionally with CNG bi-fuel equipment.
What are the main rivals of the Hyundai Exter?
The Tata Punch above all, plus Hyundai's own Grand i10 Nios and Venue.
Where is the Hyundai Exter built?
At Hyundai Motor India's plant in Chennai. It is sold in India and, since September 2024, in South Africa.
