Spyshot: 2021 Hyundai Creta caught in Indonesia, Malaysia debut in 2022?

The 2021 Hyundai Creta has been spotted in Indonesia, covered with minimal camouflage, hinting that the company is on track to introduce the new B-segment SUV by the second half of 2021.

The sighting of the Hyundai Creta adds weight to our earlier speculation that Hyundai will be assembling the Creta and other models in Indonesia for the ASEAN region.

Despite Hyundai’s extensive SUV line-up (Creta, Kona, Palisade, Santa Fe, Tucson, Venue), they are unrepresented in the booming B-segment SUV market in the ASEAN region.

With the Creta, Hyundai should get a foothold in the lucrative B-segment SUV market - a segment that Honda currently leads with the HR-V. In fact, companies like Proton and Perodua have also their sights set on this segment with the X50 and D55L, respectively.

Globally, Hyundai offers two B-segment SUVs – the Kona and Creta. Yes, both are B-segment SUVs, but they are very different, as the Hyundai Kona is a higher cost product aimed at developed markets like USA, Australia, and South Korea, while the more rugged-looking Creta is aimed at developing markets like India, Indonesia, China, and Russia. Depending on the market, the Creta is sometimes also sold as the ix25.

Although the Hyundai Kona may not be offered for sale here, fret not, as the Creta still gets a rather extensive equipment list, comprising of LED headlights, stability control, 6 airbags, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a Qi wireless charging pad.

Depending on the market it's sold in, the Hyundai Creta can be had with a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine (115 PS/144 Nm), a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine (140 PS/242 Nm), or a 1.5-liter turbodiesel engine (115 PS/250 Nm), hooked up to either a 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic, CVT, or a 7-speed DCT. Drive is sent exclusively to the front wheels.

As for Malaysia, the Hyundai Creta is expected to be launched in 2022, likely imported from Hyundai’s new plant in Indonesia.

Photo credit: herianto_0141 on Instagram