I drove the new Hyundai Creta Electric yesterday in Maharashtra, expecting EV compromises like cramped space or weak pull—until instant torque and silent cabin flipped the script on my ICE Creta loyalty. What if this 51.4 kWh beast delivers 510 km range without ditching family practicality, making it an upgrade over petrol woes?
The Disappointment
Hyundai Creta Electric arrives as the EV twin to India’s bestseller, but skeptics cry foul: higher upfront cost (~Rs 18-24 lakh ex-showroom) vs ICE Creta’s Rs 11-20 lakh, plus charging infra gaps in Tier-2 like Jalna. Early buzz questions if 171 PS motor matches turbo petrol punch, or if 433L boot shrinks under battery weight—familiar gripes for EV switchers fearing range anxiety on Shirdi-Mumbai hauls.
I pushed it on pothole-riddled ghat roads near Aurangabad; stiff suspension jarred initially, frunk (22L new perk) felt gimmicky for groceries, and DC fast-charge (58 min 10-80% at 50kW) demands urban plugs absent in villages. Rivals like Tata Curvv EV undercut on price, while MG ZS EV lags refinement—Creta EV risks “premium tax” without matching Tesla vibes. Forum rants highlight app glitches in beta phase.
The Surprising Truth
Creta Electric retains ICE dimensions (4330x1790x1630 mm), unchanged legroom/knee space for 5, Level 2 ADAS (10+ features), 6 airbags standard—safety uncompromised. Steering-mounted drive selector frees console real estate; i-Pedal single-pedal regen (4 levels) nails city crawl, 0-100 km/h in 7.9s beats most ICE midsize SUVs.
Core specs decoded:
| Aspect | Creta Electric Details |
|---|---|
| Battery/Motor | 51.4 kWh Li-ion, 126 kW PMSM (171 PS/255 Nm) |
| Range/Charge | 510 km claimed; 11 kW AC ~5 hrs full, 50 kW DC 58 min 10-80% |
| Drive Modes | Eco/Normal/Sport + Paddle Shift |
| Features | Dual 10.25″ screens, ventilated seats, 360 cam, panoramic sunroof |
| Suspension/GC | McPherson front, 190 mm ground clearance |
| Brakes/Wheels | Disc/disc, 215/60 R17 low-roll tyres |
No engine drone, lower NVH transforms highways—overtakes feel telepathic vs ICE turbo lag. Maintenance drops 30-40% sans oil/filter swaps; 8-year battery warranty eases longevity fears. Frunk + boot combo outstores rivals; Hyundai’s 1,000+ touchpoints pan-India back it.
India-Specific Impact
Mumbai on-road starts Rs 21 lakh (base), Jalna ~Rs 20 lakh post-subsidy (FAME III potential Rs 1.5 lakh cut); Delhi Rs 21.5 lakh with higher RTO. City breakdowns (base ex-showroom Rs 18.02 lakh to on-road):
| City | On-Road Price (Rs lakh) | Vs ICE Creta (Rs lakh) | Running Cost/km (Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | 21.50 | 13.00 | 1.2 vs 8 |
| Mumbai | 21.00 | 12.80 | 1.1 vs 7.5 |
| Chennai | 20.80 | 13.20 | 1.3 vs 8 |
| Jalna | ~20.00 | 12.50 | 1.0 vs 7 |
510 km range crushes 50 km daily Maharashtra commutes (real ~400 km mixed); home 11 kW wallbox (~Rs 50k install) beats Rs 100/litre petrol spikes. CarDekho notes Creta EV edges Seltos EV in space, Zigwheels praises vs Curvv EV on network. Tier-2 buyers save Rs 5-6/km long-term; EV pull-ahead in solar-rich Gujarat runs.
Rushi’s Verdict
From Jalna test loops where Creta Electric glided silently over blacktop scars, it’s no compromise—upgrade via torque, costs, calm. Pick over ICE if home charging viable; Sport mode hooks enthusiasts. Hyundai nails family EV transition sans adoption leap.
Rushi, Jalna-based auto journalist – Chasing Maharashtra EV shifts, Creta to electric trails, 15+ years SUV deep dives.
FAQ
Creta Electric range?
510 km claimed on 51.4 kWh battery.
Charging time?
~5 hrs full on 11 kW AC; 58 min 10-80% DC.
Power vs ICE Creta?
171 PS/255 Nm, quicker 0-100 at 7.9s.
Boot space same?
433L + 22L frunk, unchanged cabin.
Test drive Creta Electric—upgrade awaits!
