Hyundai Exter 2025:It was a blistering Wednesday afternoon when I first laid eyes on the 2025 Hyundai Exter. The dealership in Indiranagar, Bangalore was buzzing with the usual mid-week traffic – young professionals peeking at price lists, families with toddlers circling around display vehicles, and sales executives darting between them with brochures and water bottles. But amid this typical dealership chaos, the Ranger Khaki Exter stood out like a confident newcomer at a house party.
“That color is our fastest moving shade now,” said Prakash, the sales manager who’d been showing me around. “We can’t keep it in stock for more than a couple of days.” I wasn’t surprised – the earthy tone gives the Exter a rugged personality that elevates it beyond its micro-SUV dimensions.
Two weeks later, I found myself taking delivery of the top-spec SX(O) Connect variant for an extended test drive through Karnataka’s diverse terrain.
What followed was a 500-kilometer journey that took me from Bangalore’s notorious traffic to the winding roads of Coorg and back – ample opportunity to discover whether this tiny titan truly deserves the hype it’s been generating since its debut.
Hyundai Exter 2025 Design: Small Car, Big Personality
Hyundai has doubled down on the boxy, upright styling that made the original Exter such a standout. For 2025, they’ve added more muscular wheel arches, a slightly more upright stance, and a front fascia that bears a stronger family resemblance to bigger siblings like the Creta and Venue.
The H-shaped LED DRLs remain the Exter’s signature design element, flanking a parametric grille that’s now slightly larger than the outgoing model. It’s an assertive face for such a small car, but it works – giving the Exter presence beyond its dimensions.
“We’ve intentionally emphasized the SUV elements for 2025,” explained Prakash during my initial viewing. “Customers want that commanding feel, even in a car that fits in tight parking spots.
The approach is evident in details like the faux skid plates front and rear, roof rails that can actually support up to 70kg of weight, and the substantial 185mm ground clearance.
In profile, the squared-off greenhouse and upright pillars maximize interior space while lending the car a purposeful stance. The 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels on my test car fill the arches nicely, though the 15-inchers on lower variants look a bit undersized in comparison.
The rear styling has received subtle updates, with new connected LED taillamps that stretch across the tailgate, creating a more premium appearance.
It’s here that the Exter’s compact dimensions become most apparent – the stubby rear overhang is a reminder that this is, after all, a sub-4-meter vehicle designed primarily for urban environments.
Walking around the car at a highway rest stop, a fellow traveler approached to inquire about it. “Kitna deti hai?” he asked – the quintessential Indian car question.
When I explained it was returning about 18km/l despite spirited driving, he nodded appreciatively. “Looks bigger than it is,” he commented before walking back to his own Maruti Brezza.
He wasn’t wrong. The Exter has presence that belies its tiny footprint, especially in the Ranger Khaki paint that seems to enhance its dimensions. It’s a clever visual trick that Hyundai has pulled off admirably.
Cabin: Maximizing Minimal Space
Step inside the Exter, and the first thing that strikes you is how Hyundai has squeezed so much usable space from such a small footprint. The high roofline and large greenhouse create an airy, spacious feeling that’s reinforced by the panoramic-style sunroof (which Hyundai calls a “sky roof”) on top variants.
My test car came with the new-for-2025 Indigo Blue and Black interior theme, which looks surprisingly premium. The dashboard layout is familiar Hyundai territory – logical, easy to navigate, and built from materials that feel a class above most competitors. Yes, there are hard plastics, but they’re nicely textured and assembled with the precision you’d expect from the Korean manufacturer.
“We’ve focused on giving features that are actually useful rather than just padding the brochure,” Prakash had mentioned during my dealership visit.
The approach is evident in thoughtful touches like the cooled glovebox, the wireless charging pad with cooling function (phones get hot while charging, especially in Indian summers), and the multiple USB ports including Type-C connections.
The seats deserve special mention – they’re supremely comfortable for a car in this class, with the driver’s seat offering height adjustment on all but the base variants. During my 6-hour drive to Coorg, I experienced none of the lower back fatigue that often plagues longer journeys in small cars.
Space in the rear is adequate rather than generous. At 5’10”, I could sit behind my own driving position with knee room to spare, though three adults across the back would be a squeeze for anything beyond short city hops. The bench itself is well-shaped, however, with good thigh support and a nicely reclined backrest angle.
The 391-liter boot is impressively capacious for the segment – I managed to fit two large suitcases and several smaller bags without playing luggage Tetris. The loading lip is a bit high, though, which can make hoisting heavier items a back-straining exercise.
Tech features have received a significant upgrade for 2025. The 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system is responsive and intuitive, with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard on most variants.
The 8-speaker Bose audio system in my SX(O) test car delivered punchy, clear sound that made those traffic-filled stretches of Bangalore much more bearable.
Perhaps the most impressive tech addition is the expansion of Hyundai’s Bluelink connected car features, which now include remote engine start/stop, climate control preconditioning, geofencing alerts, and even a valet mode – features typically found in cars costing twice as much.
Performance: Small Engine, Big Heart
The 2025 Exter continues with Hyundai’s familiar 1.2-liter Kappa petrol engine, producing 83PS and 114Nm of torque. These numbers won’t set your pulse racing, but in a car weighing just under a ton, they translate to peppy performance that’s perfectly suited to the Exter’s character.
My test car came with the 5-speed manual transmission, and I found it a joy to use in both urban and highway situations. The clutch is light with a predictable bite point, making stop-start traffic less of a chore, while the shift action is crisp and positive. Hyundai also offers a 5-speed AMT for those who prefer two-pedal convenience, though I didn’t get a chance to sample it on this occasion.
A welcome addition for 2025 is drive mode selection (Eco, Normal, and Sport), which noticeably alters throttle response and steering weight. Sport mode, in particular, makes the Exter feel more eager than its modest power figures would suggest. It’s no hot hatch, but there’s genuine fun to be had on twisty roads.
Climbing the winding ghats toward Coorg, the Exter impressed with its willing engine and precise handling. The electronic power steering is well-calibrated – light enough for easy maneuverability in tight spots but weighting up progressively as speeds increase. Body roll exists, as you’d expect from a tall vehicle, but it’s well-controlled and never feels unsettling, even during quick direction changes.
Ride quality is another highlight. The suspension setup – MacPherson struts up front and a torsion beam at the rear – strikes an excellent balance between comfort and control.
Speed bumps and broken patches are dispatched with minimal fuss, while the car remains composed on faster, flowing roads. Only sharp-edged potholes at higher speeds send noticeable thuds through the cabin.
Noise isolation has improved for 2025, with additional sound insulation materials evident in door panels and the firewall. Wind noise is well-suppressed up to around 100km/h, though the boxy shape inevitably creates some rustle around the A-pillars at higher speeds. Engine noise is present but never intrusive, with a surprisingly pleasant note when pushed toward the upper reaches of the rev range.
The CNG variant, which I briefly tested around Bangalore, offers the same refined driving experience with the expected compromise in outright performance.
The transition between fuel types is seamless, though you do notice the approximately 10PS power deficit when fully loaded or tackling steep inclines.
Practical Ownership: The Numbers Game
Fuel efficiency has always been a Hyundai strength, and the 2025 Exter continues this tradition. During my mixed driving cycle, the petrol manual returned 17.8km/l, impressively close to the ARAI-claimed 19.4km/l. The CNG variant promises even better running costs, with a claimed efficiency of 27.1km/kg.
Maintenance costs should be reasonable, with Hyundai’s 3-year/unlimited kilometer warranty providing peace of mind for new buyers. Service intervals are set at 10,000km or one year, whichever comes first, and Hyundai’s extensive service network means you’re rarely far from assistance, even in smaller towns.
Safety has received a welcome boost for 2025, with six airbags now standard across the range – a significant upgrade from the dual airbags offered on lower variants of the outgoing model.
The Exter has yet to undergo Bharat NCAP testing, but Hyundai claims they’ve engineered it to meet 5-star requirements, following the success of the Venue in recent crash tests.
The SX(O) Connect variant I tested came with an impressive suite of active safety systems, including electronic stability control, hill-start assist, vehicle stability management, and rear parking sensors with camera.
The top variant also includes Level 2 ADAS features like lane-keeping assist, forward collision warning, and driver attention warning – previously unheard of in this segment.
Value Proposition: Price vs. Package
With prices starting at ₹6.13 lakh for the base EX variant and extending to ₹10.28 lakh for the fully-loaded SX(O) Connect Dual Tone (all prices ex-showroom), the Exter positions itself as a premium offering in the micro-SUV segment.
Is it worth the asking price? After my extended time with the car, I’d say yes – particularly in the mid-range S(O) and SX variants, which offer the best balance of features and value. The build quality, refinement, and feature set justify the premium over rivals like the Tata Punch and Renault Kiger.
“Most customers are upgrading from hatchbacks and want something that feels special,” Prakash had mentioned during our dealership conversation.
“They’re willing to stretch their budget for the right package.” The Exter delivers that special feeling through thoughtful touches that enhance the ownership experience – from the puddle lamps that project the Hyundai logo to the dashcam that’s integrated into the rearview mirror on top variants.
The CNG option adds approximately ₹95,000 to the equivalent petrol variant, a premium that could be recovered through fuel savings within 2-3 years of typical usage.
For city dwellers with access to CNG infrastructure, it’s a compelling proposition that combines environmental benefits with economic sense.
Hyundai Exter 2025 Verdict: Small Wonder, Big Impact
As I returned the keys after my 500-kilometer journey, I found myself genuinely impressed by how well the 2025 Exter balances seemingly contradictory attributes. It’s compact yet spacious, affordable yet premium-feeling, frugal yet fun to drive.
The micro-SUV segment has become increasingly crowded in recent years, with every manufacturer scrambling to claim their share of this lucrative market.
What sets the Exter apart is how thoroughly resolved it feels – there’s no sense that Hyundai has cut corners or compromised on the essentials to hit a price point.
Is it perfect? Of course not. The rear seat space could be more generous, some safety features are reserved for top variants, and the lack of a diesel option might deter high-mileage users. But these are minor quibbles in what is otherwise an exceptionally well-executed package.
For urban families seeking their first SUV, young professionals wanting something with personality, or downsizers looking for an efficient yet comfortable urban runabout, the 2025 Hyundai Exter makes a compelling case for itself. It’s a small car that punches well above its weight – in design, features, comfort, and overall execution.
In a market obsessed with size and status, the Exter proves that good things do indeed come in small packages. It may be the baby of Hyundai’s SUV lineup, but it’s all grown up where it matters.