Hyundai Exter HX 3 Petrol Manual

Moving from a hatchback to the Exter was a great decision; the interior quality and the digital cluster make it feel like a mini-Creta. The safety features are the best in the segment, and the handling feels secure even during monsoon rains. We are getting a healthy mileage of 18 kmpl on mixed drives, and the range on a full tank is perfect for weekend getaways. It gets a 4.4 from me because while it’s the king of features, the AMT "head-nod" is still slightly present if you floor the pedal, though it's easily managed with a gentle foot.

The 2026 facelift’s exterior design is more "grown-up" and the paint quality is superb, especially in the Cosmic Blue shade. The performance of the Kappa engine is incredibly silent at idle—sometimes I have to check if the car is even on! Value for money is high because you get premium features like a wireless charger and cooled glovebox in a sub-10 lakh car. I rated it 4.4 because the comfort is geared towards city use; on very long road trips, the seats could use a bit more lumbar support for the driver.

I opted for the dual-cylinder CNG model, and the range and mileage (claimed 27 km/kg) are exactly what I needed for my long commute. The interior design is clean and functional, and the quality of the switches feels built to last. Handling is very predictable, and the light steering is a gift in heavy traffic. I'm giving it a 4.4 because while the safety and tech are 5-star, the headlight throw (the "candlelight" issue) is still a bit weak on unlit roads—might need an aftermarket bulb upgrade for night drives.