KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- N Line variants launched at Rs. 16.82 lakh
- Gets cosmetic and mechanical upgrades
- Powered by a 1.5-lt turbo-petrol engine
Hyundai India has finally added the 'N Line' badge to its star product Creta. The new-gen Hyundai Creta N Line is now available at a starting price of Rs. 16.82 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). We got our hands on the fresh Creta N Line and tried to find out how quick it is from its regular variants. Also, does it justify the N Line tag?
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What We Liked!
- Road presence is much better than the standard Creta
- Titan Grey Matte colour looks fantastic
- N Line cabin enhancements make it feel premium and rich
- Ride quality has improved with the stiffer suspension
- Engine performance is peppy enough for expressway use
- Braking inspires confidence
What We Did Not Like!
- Exhaust note is not enthusiastic like the Venue N Line
- Steering is very hard at low speeds
- Stiffer suspension translates jerks to the passengers at low speeds
- Engine punch doesn't feel fast inside the cabin like the Verna turbo
- Top variant is pricey
What Is 'N Line'?
The 'N Line' is a high-performance branch of Hyundai. With various models sold globally, the N Line is well-loved and appreciated by enthusiasts worldwide. Hyundai has launched the first N Line product in India back in 2021. The Hyundai i20 became the first model to receive this badge, later followed by the Venue N Line.
The N Line versions are different from the standard models. Hyundai offers a sporty body kit, a stiffer suspension, more precise steering feedback, and a sporty exhaust note as well. The cabin also gets sports enhancements like a black and red combo with a three-spoke steering wheel and a different gear shift lever. The Creta N Line is the fourth and latest N Line product from Hyundai in India.
Hyundai Creta N Line: Design Changes
The significant improvement on the N Line Creta is its unique styling. While it is based on the standard Creta, the N Line body kit makes a huge difference. The front has a new grille with red accents on the bumper lip. Additionally, an 'N' badge at the front grille helps in differentiating it. The side profile has blacked-out ORVMs and N Line dual-tone 18-inch alloy wheels. Our test car was draped with JK tyres that were a bit sketchy to drive (more on it below).
The rear profile gets a big spoiler with contrasting black paint. Also, the side skirts and the rear bumper are redesigned with red accents. Another interesting add-on is the chrome exhaust tips which house a different muffler for a bassy tone. We liked the design of N Line, considering that we were driving the new Titan Grey Matte paint shade; we saw a lot of heads turning on the road. It surely is an attractive car to look at.
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Hyundai Creta N Line: Interior Design, Quality, and Comfort
Step inside the Creta N Line and you see a completely blacked-out ambience. The roof liner, the door pad leathers, leather upholstery, etc. are all black. However, the red stitching on the seats, gear shift lever, and steering wheel, aid in a sporty factor. The two major differences, apart from the interior shade, are the three-spoke N Line steering wheel and the N Line-specific gear lever.
The seats with the N Line badge are spacious and provide ample support. The driver seat is 8-way electric adjustable; the passenger seat is manually adjustable. Both front seats get neck pillows and ventilation that can be operated via individual buttons on the centre console.
The quality of the cabin is consistent and there is nothing to complain about. The leather-wrapped steering wheel feels great to hold but it is not flat-bottom, as we would've liked. However, touching the door pads and the hard plastic makes the cabin feel less premium; especially when compared with its direct rival, the Kia Seltos X Line. But, there are no panel gaps or inconsistencies to say.
The rear seat space is enough for three adults for a short trip. However, it is best suited for two passengers. That way, the large centre armrest with cupholders can be used to its best. Also, the increased thigh support and the neck pillow make it a comfortable SUV for rear passengers to travel in. Adding to this comfort is the superb NVH control. There are no sounds that travel from outside to the cabin of Creta N Line.
Hyundai Creta N Line: Performance, DCT Gearbox, and Fuel Economy
Under the bonnet, powering the N Line, is the new 1.5-lt, turbo-petrol engine. Mind you, it is the same engine as on the regular turbo Creta variants. It was introduced along with the new-gen Creta earlier this year. Churning out 160 PS of peak power and 253 Nm of peak torque, it is the most powerful engine in its segment. However, it is shared with the Kia Seltos due to the sibling brand connection.
Hyundai offers a rotary knob on the centre console via which you can switch between three driving modes: Comfort, Eco, and Sports. The car starts up by default in the Comfort mode where it feels responsive and lively. The Eco mode dulls the pedal inputs to increase the fuel economy. However, shift to Sports mode and it holds the gears to higher rpms. The N Line steering wheel also has paddle shifters to ease out the effort of going fast.
The responsive engine makes it very friendly to use in the city traffic. Highway and expressway driving is also easy due to the 7 gears of the DCT. In fact, the rpm spins at just the 2,000 mark in 7th gear at 115 kmph. This is seriously comfortable for the engine doing such high speed.
A light tap on the throttle pushes the car up front with aggression in Sport mode. The exhaust note also becomes loud at high rpms. However, the Eco mode is strictly not for fun. The manual shifts via the paddle shifters work flawlessly. The 7-speed DCT gearbox is crisp and smooth to use. Hyundai also offers a 6-speed manual transmission option for typical enthusiasts. We recommend buying the DCT automatic because of its ease of use.
Hyundai claims that the DCT versions of N Line can churn more than 18 kmpl of claimed fuel economy. However, our test drive included high-speed expressway driving where the car was doing the excess of speeds. We also tested its 0-100 kmph timing which you can see in our video review below.
Even after being driven above 120 kmph constantly with AC running and two people onboard, the MID fuel economy was 11.2 kmpl. Respectable indeed, considering how fast it was driven. While we could not check the top speed, the displayed top-end during our test was 195 kmph.
Hyundai Creta N Line: Ride, Handling, and Braking
Hyundai has stiffened the suspension of the N Line Creta to give the driver better feedback. All thanks to it, the N Line feels far better than the standard Creta which tends to float a lot. Unlike the typical Creta, the N Line is much more planted on the road. There is no nose-pitching or diving. Also, the rear feels in line with the front end. Hence, you can take corners at much higher speeds than the standard Creta.
The steering wheel feedback is tuned for a sporty feel. Therefore, at low speeds, it feels a lot heavier than the regular Creta. It is so heavy that a regular Creta owner will not like it initially. However, this is done on purpose to make it handle like a go-cart. The N Line Creta begs to be pushed due to its enhanced steering feedback. But, there is a body roll that is still evident; preventing you from reaching insane speeds.
Equipped with all four disc brakes, there is nothing to complain about its braking. The brake feedback is good at high speeds and under emergency braking, it does not leave its line. Overall, the car feels stable and confidence-inspiring.
Meanwhile, our test car came equipped with JK tyres. While the brand is not an issue, the grip is. The hard compound of tyres makes its performance less enjoyable and throughout the drive, I kept hearing road noise from the tyres despite the excellent NVH levels of Hyundai. After buying the Creta N Line, change the tyres to enjoy the car and its handling.
Hyundai Creta N Line: Features and Safety
The features list on all Hyundai cars is long and segment-leading. The Creta N Line is no different case either. Speak of connectivity and you get a single pane panel with twin 10.25-inch screens that house infotainment and instrument cluster. The cluster dials and graphics change as per the drive modes selected. You can connect your phone and use Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as well. The bummer is the fact that it gets wired Android Auto.
The Creta N Line comes equipped with 6 airbags, level 2 ADAS, ABS, ESP, dual dashcam, and much more in terms of safety. Moreover, the traction modes that work on mud, sand, and off-road, help in sustaining traction on loose surfaces. However, there are still no GNCAP or BNCAP crash test ratings available for the new Creta. This is still a major concern for new buyers who are willing to spend more than Rs. 20 lakh.
Our Verdict
Creta is by far the most popular Hyundai model as well as the most popular mid-size SUV in India. The N Line variant justifies the pricing at lower trims. However, the dual-tone top spec DCT trim is too costly for what it offers. The brand image is superb, the SUV is comfortable, and yes it is fast also. But, it lacks the punch you would be expecting after spending such a big chunk of your money. Also, the hard steering response and the mediocre exhaust note are not very "enthusiastic". We recommend opting for the entry-level N Line Creta trims and adding a bit more power and punch aftermarket; only if you seek thrill and do not want to buy something else.
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