The new Hyundai Exter has launched in South Africa as the South Korean brand’s most affordable crossover, slotting in below the Venue. Here’s a look at what it costs…
The new Hyundai Exter has officially hit the market in South Africa, positioned as the South Korean firm’s smallest and most affordable crossover.
Just as our information suggested well ahead of the launch, the local Exter range comprises 5 derivatives, 3 of which are furthermore offered in dual-tone form (effectively adding an optional black roof). Starting at R269 900 and running through to R334 900, the Exter slots in below the Venue, which currently has pricing bookends of R309 900 and R499 900 (after a handy price cut).
In Mzansi, the Indian-built Exter is offered in a trio of grades: entry-level Premium, mid-tier Executive and top-spec Elite. All variants employ the automaker’s naturally aspirated 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine, which is familiar from the Grand i10, i20 hatchback and aforementioned Venue.
This “Kappa” motor delivers 61 kW and 114 Nm to the front axle. Premium and Executive derivatives are available with either a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 5-speed automated manual transmission (AMT), while the flagship Elite variant is offered exclusively with the latter cog-swapper. The manual version has a claimed fuel economy of 5.7 L/100 km, while the AMT’s listed figure is 5.9 L/100 km.
The base Exter 1.2 Premium MT (R269 900) ships standard with features such as manual air conditioning, a 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster, an 8.0-inch infotainment display, tyre-pressure monitoring, rear parking sensors, ISOfix child-seat anchors, automatic headlamps, 15-inch steel wheels (with plastic covers), cloth seats and a polyurethane steering wheel. A full complement of 6 airbags is standard, too.
Meanwhile, the Exter 1.2 Premium AMT (R294 900) furthermore scores electronic stability control, hill-assist control and an electric folding function for the side mirrors, in addition to the self-shifting transmission, of course.
Next come the Exter 1.2 Executive MT for R289 900 and the Exter 1.2 Executive AMT for R314 900, which gain features such as 15-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, mud guards, cruise control, a reverse-view camera, leather trim for the steering wheel and tilt adjustment for the steering column.
Finally, the top-spec Exter 1.2 Elite AMT is priced at R334 900 and upgrades to items such as automatic air conditioning, bi-function projection headlamps, a powered sunroof and cloth-and-vinyl upholstery. Paint colours in South Africa include Titan Grey, Shadow Grey, Fiery Red, Moonlight Blue, Cosmic Blue, Atlas White and Ranger Khaki, with the final 3 hues also available in conjunction with a black roof (though only on Executive and Elite variants).
Revealed in May 2023, the Exter employs the same platform that underpins the Grand i10 hatchback and sedan twins, and is likewise produced in India at Hyundai’s plant in Sriperumbudur near Chennai. The boxy little crossover measures 3 815 mm long (the same length as the Grand i10 hatch), with a wheelbase of 2 450 mm, a width of 1 710 mm, a height of 1 631 mm (including roof rails) and a ground clearance of 185 mm.
For the record, that makes it around 180 mm shorter from nose to tail than the likes of the Venue, Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger (and 166 mm stubbier than the CC21-generation Citroën C3, too), but about 115 mm longer than the diminutive Suzuki Ignis. The Exter’s luggage capacity comes in at a claimed 290 litres.
We first reported that the Exter was coming to South Africa back in May 2024, receiving confirmation from Hyundai Automotive SA after we discovered the company’s Seoul head office had applied to register the “Exter” badge in South Africa as early as October 2022. The local registration of this trademark took effect in December 2023.
*This story was originally published on 5 September 2024 as a pricing scoop. Additional information has since been added.
How much does the new Hyundai Exter cost in South Africa?
Hyundai Exter 1.2 Premium MT – R269 900
Hyundai Exter 1.2 Premium AMT – R294 900
Hyundai Exter 1.2 Executive MT – R289 900
Hyundai Exter 1.2 Executive AMT – R314 900
Hyundai Exter 1.2 Elite AMT – R334 900
The new Exter ships standard with a 3-year/45 000 km service plan and Hyundai’s 7-year/200 000 km manufacturers’ warranty.
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