• Hyundai has revealed the front fascia of the Exter, their next micro-SUV for India, with a split headlight setup and new H-shaped LED DRLs based on the brand’s ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ design language, and hints at design cues for future global Hyundai SUVs.
• The Exter is expected to commence production in July 2023 and will be slightly more expensive than the Nios but less expensive than the Venue, with two engine options and a factory-fitted CNG kit available later.

Following a teaser of merely the silhouette earlier this month, Hyundai has now revealed nearly the whole front fascia of the Exter, their next micro-SUV for India. The design render even reveals a few design cues that will be found on future Hyundai SUVs sold globally.

The Exter is anticipated to commence production in July 2023, with a market launch in August. The Exter will be built for India and exported to other markets.

Hyundai Exter – Front view teased

The Exter has a very distinct front end design that is not seen on any other Hyundai in India. The Exter will have a split headlight setup with new H-shaped LED DRLs based on the brand’s ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ design language. This design motif is expected to appear on additional Hyundai SUVs, including the next-generation Santa Fe, which has been spotted with a similar setup abroad.

The LED DRLs are housed in a darkened shell, although against popular belief, it is not a full-width light bar. The upright and blocky front bumper, which houses the squarish main headlamp units, has a blackened grille that spans the whole width of the bumper. The rendering also displays a false silver skid plate, wide wheel arches and a window line that resembles the Venue and even the Casper marketed in other countries.

Overall, the front fascia of the Exter resembles that of the all-electric Ioniq 5 rather than that of the Venue, Creta, or Alcazar. It also has a 2D Hyundai logo on the hood, just like the Ioniq 5. The Exter has previously been teased with an upright posture, flattish bonnet, and boxy proportions.

While Hyundai has not yet provided us with a peek at the rear of this micro-SUV, we can expect squarish tail-lamps, which will most likely be connected by a light bar. To add to the SUV appearance, the side profile will have some false cladding, particularly around the wheel arches.

About Powertrain of Hyundai Exter

The Exter, which is expected to be roughly 3.8 metres long, will share its underpinnings with the Grand i10 Nios hatchback, but it will have more ground clearance and maybe a retuned suspension. The Exter is expected to retain the tried-and-true 83hp, 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine found in the Nios, Aura, i20, and Venue. Transmission options will almost certainly include a 5-speed manual and an AMT gearbox.

Unlike the Nios, however, the Exter is slated to have a second engine option, which, as previously reported, will be a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine. This will not only set it apart from the Nios and Aura, but it will also offer the Exter an advantage over the Tata Punch, which it will be directly competing with. A factory-fitted CNG kit, which is already available on the Nios, is scheduled to join the lineup later, and there are even rumours of an all-electric version in the future.

Expected Price of Hyundai Exter Micro SUV

Expect Hyundai to release additional information about the Exter in the months leading up to its August 2023 debut. Expect it to be slightly more expensive than the Nios (Rs 5.73 lakh-8.51 lakh, ex-showroom), but it will undoubtedly be less expensive than the Venue.