The Hyundai Creta shook things up in the compact SUV space, successfully dethroning the erstwhile segment leader, the Renault Duster. However, Honda has now slid the BR-V into the fray. Does it have what it takes to take on the new king of the ring? We pit them against each other to see who comes out on top!
In terms of appearance, the Creta feels more 'SUVish' among the two. The crisp lines, lovely 17-inch alloy wheels and the flared wheel arches give the Hyundai an aggressive stance. The BR-V on the other hand, is a crossover in the truest sense. It's a nice blend of a practical MPV design with brawny elements from an SUV thrown in for good measure. As is the norm in the segment, both vehicles get projector headlamps with LED light guides, roof-rails, faux skidplates and matte-black cladding that envelopes the lower half of the body.
The Honda is the longest vehicle in its class, measuring a shade over 4.4 metres in length. That said, it is also amongst the narrowest. The BR-V looks great from certain angles such as the front-three-quarters but ends up looking too much like the Mobilio, especially from the side. The Creta on the other hand, is likeable from pretty much any angle. However, a slightly livelier rear profile would've tied the design together better.
Hyundai Creta
Honda BR-V
The BR-V borrows the dashboard design from the updated Amaze. The interiors are engulfed in a sea of black, and a few dull-silver accents are thrown in to liven up the place a bit. The Creta, on the other hand, has opted for a safe beige and black combo. The Honda's party piece is the fact that it is a seven-seater, but, only just. Squeezing in three people in the second row is a bit of a task thanks to the narrow width. The Creta fares much better in terms of shoulder room in the second row. Leg space is evidently better in the BR-V, for which Honda have scooped out the front seats and reduced the length of the seat base. This does compromise on under-thigh support slightly. Speaking of the third row, it has ample amount of headroom. Legroom for the last row occupants can be tweaked by sliding the second row, which is a thoughtful touch. Like most last rows, however, occupants sit in a knees-up position. While this isn't an issue for short commutes, longer journeys will be an issue.
The feature list on the Honda BR-V is average at best, and it skips out on touchscreen infotainment, cruise control, reverse parking sensors / camera and more, all of which the Hyundai Creta gets. We think Honda could have been slightly liberal while drawing up the feature list. Both cars get Bluetooth-enabled audio systems, automatic climate control, keyless entry and go in respective top-spec versions.
The Hyundai Creta features a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder engine that generates 128PS of power and 260Nm of torque. The Honda BR-V, on the other hand, is available with a 1.5-litre i-DTEC motor that develops 100PS of power and 200Nm. There's a big gulf in the power figures and it does show when on the move. The Creta feels sprightly, thanks to the added power. Now, turbo-lag is noticeable in both motors, which means you have to keep them on the boil (read: above 2000rpm) to extract any sort of performance out of them. This can be slightly annoying within the confines of the city, but, out on the highway, both feel relaxed cruising at triple digit speeds.
The ride quality on the Creta is evidently better, and we have to thank the softer suspension set up for it. Also, Hyundai has done a good job of controlling the NVH levels inside the cabin. While the diesel engine on the BR-V doesn't sound as gruff as the Amaze from inside, a little more damping would've been appreciated. Speaking of handling, the BR-V beats the Creta hands down. The steering is just the right weight and inspires enough confidence for you to chuck it in a corner. Yes, there is a hint of body roll, but that is purely because of the car's height. ARAI rated fuel efficiency stands at 21.9 kmpl for the BR-V, whereas the Creta returns 19.67kmpl.
The top end BR-V has been priced at Rs 12.90 lakh as opposed to Rs 14.43 lakh for the Creta’s top variant. For nearly a lakh and a half extra, the Creta gets a more potent engine, better equipment and better ride quality. The Hyundai is worth the extra money, in case you do not need the third row of seats.
Source: CarDekho.com
