From the sporty CRETA N Line to the spacious STARIA, Hyundai turned one launch invitation into an unexpected double dose of motoring.
Sometimes you receive a media invitation and you already know exactly what you’re walking into. Hyundai invited Thee Sneak Preview to spend the day with them for the launch of the new CRETA N Line, and naturally, we arrived expecting to spend the day getting to know one car. Simple, right? Well… not quite. Because standing outside when we arrived was a fleet of Hyundai STARIA models, and suddenly that “one car” invitation had turned into a two-car experience. Talk about getting two for the price of one! The plan was simple: take the CRETA N Line to Cullinan and return in the STARIA. And boy, what an experience it turned out to be.
Before the keys were handed over, Hyundai took us behind the scenes of the CRETA N Line, explaining the thinking, design and inspiration behind the model and, more broadly, the N Line philosophy. The N Line range takes inspiration from Hyundai’s performance-focused N division, bringing some of that sporty DNA into vehicles designed for everyday motorists. The result is a CRETA that looks considerably more aggressive than the standard model, with its N Line grille, sharper bumpers, red accents, N Line badging, 18-inch alloy wheels and dual-tip exhaust treatment. It is still very much a CRETA, but this one has clearly had a little extra seasoning added to the recipe.
Then it was time to get inside. The sporty theme continues in the cabin, with a darker interior, red detailing, N Line branding and a sportier steering wheel giving the driver a sense that this isn’t just another family SUV. In front of us was the digital display and infotainment system, which puts navigation, entertainment, smartphone connectivity and vehicle information within easy reach. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allow you to bring your smartphone into the vehicle, while wireless charging helps keep the phone alive when you’re putting serious kilometres behind you. It is the kind of technology that makes sense on a road trip because everything you need is right there without constantly having to reach for your phone.
Then came the part we had really been waiting for the drive. We fired up the 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, producing 117.5kW and 253Nm, with power sent through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, and headed towards Cullinan. On paper, those numbers tell one story; behind the wheel, they tell another. The CRETA N Line has enough punch to make the drive interesting without pretending to be a full-blown performance car. That 253Nm of torque arrives from 1,500rpm, and you can feel the turbo working when you put your foot down to overtake or accelerate onto an open stretch of road. The seven-speed DCT keeps things moving smoothly and gives the CRETA a more responsive character, while the compact dimensions make it easy to place on the road.
As we made our way towards Cullinan, we started paying attention to the details that can easily be missed when you’re simply looking at a car at a launch. The driving position is comfortable, the cabin feels well put together and the N Line touches give the interior just enough attitude without becoming too busy. We were also keeping an eye on practicality because, let’s be honest, a good-looking SUV still needs to earn its keep. The boot provides useful everyday luggage space, while folding the rear seats gives you more flexibility when you need to carry larger items. So yes, the CRETA N Line can look sporty on Instagram, but it can also handle the shopping, luggage and weekend getaway duties.
And then there is the price. The CRETA range starts from approximately R439,000, while the CRETA N Line sits at the top of the range at approximately R569,000. That gives buyers a wide spread of CRETA options, with the N Line bringing the sportier styling, 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, automatic transmission and technology-packed cabin to the top of the family. For the buyer who wants the practicality of a compact SUV but doesn’t want something that feels ordinary, the N Line certainly brings some extra flavour to the table.
We eventually arrived in Cullinan, but the day wasn’t over. In fact, this is where the second chapter began. Waiting for us was the Hyundai STARIA, and if the CRETA N Line was the sporty sibling, the STARIA was the sophisticated big brother arriving in a tailored suit. There is simply nothing conventional about the STARIA’s design. The long body, huge windows, distinctive lighting and futuristic lines make it look like Hyundai has taken a people mover and sent it several years into the future. And that was deliberate. Hyundai designed the STARIA around maximising interior space and passenger comfort, with inspiration drawn from the feeling of a cruise-ship lounge and even the halo of light seen around the Earth’s horizon from space.
Climbing inside, you immediately understand the brief. There is space proper space. The cabin feels open thanks to the large windows and clever use of the available room, while the dashboard brings the STARIA firmly into the modern age. The infotainment system gives you access to navigation, audio, smartphone connectivity and other vehicle functions, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available. Higher-specification models add even more technology, including a surround-view monitor, which becomes particularly useful when you remember that you’re driving a rather large Hyundai.
And then there’s the engine. Our STARIA was powered by a 2.2-litre turbodiesel producing 130kW and a substantial 430Nm, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Now, 430Nm is the number that matters here. This is a sizeable vehicle designed to carry people, luggage and everything that comes with them, so having that amount of low-down torque makes a noticeable difference. The STARIA gets moving with confidence, and the eight-speed automatic works quietly in the background while the diesel engine delivers the muscle.
Our return journey from Cullinan gave us a completely different driving experience to the one we had on the way there. Where the CRETA N Line had us paying attention to the road and enjoying the turbocharged response, the STARIA encouraged us to settle in and enjoy the journey. The ride is relaxed, the cabin is spacious and the seating configuration makes it clear that this vehicle is designed around passengers. Depending on the model and configuration, the STARIA can accommodate nine or 11 occupants, making it particularly relevant for large families, hotels, tourism operators, airport transfers, corporate transport and even sports teams.
And don’t think the STARIA is simply about carrying people. Its flexible interior means you can configure the seating depending on whether you need more passenger room or additional luggage and cargo space. That’s where the STARIA starts making even more sense. You can have the people, the bags and the equipment without everyone having to play Tetris before leaving home.
The current STARIA range starts at around R939,900 for the 2.2 9-seater Executive, moving upwards through the range to the more luxurious derivatives, with the flagship 9-seater Luxury reaching around R1.3 million. That is a sizeable step up from the CRETA, but these are two vehicles serving completely different purposes. The STARIA isn’t trying to be a compact SUV; it is a large, premium-feeling people mover designed to make long journeys easier and more comfortable.
And that is what made this particular Hyundai experience so enjoyable. We started the day with the CRETA N Line, a compact SUV with a sporty attitude, a 1.5-litre turbo engine and enough technology to keep the modern driver happy. We drove it to Cullinan, watched the scenery change, tested the power, explored the cabin and put the practicality to the test. Then we swapped into the STARIA and headed home with a completely different personality underneath us.
One was about the driver.
The other was about everyone in the vehicle.
One gave us 253Nm.
The other gave us 430Nm.
One made the journey to Cullinan exciting.
The other made the journey home comfortable.
Looking back, what started as a simple invitation to experience the CRETA N Line became one of those unexpected motoring days that you remember long after the keys have been handed back. Hyundai gave us two very different vehicles, two very different experiences and, most importantly, plenty of kilometres to understand what each one is all about.
We arrived expecting one Hyundai.
We ended up driving two.
CRETA N LINE OUT. STARIA IN.
And honestly, Hyundai, we’ll take that kind of “two for the price of one” any day.
That’s our Flashback Monday.
SOURCED FROM THEESNEAKPREVIEW WEBSITE.
