I won’t talk for a long time about Creta’s appearance, everything has already been told and shown. I'd rather talk about the changes. One all-wheel drive in the new versions was not enough, they added a new “Comfort Plus” package, compared to the well-known “Comfort”, the new configuration appeared: projection-type headlights with cornering illumination when turning the steering wheel, front fog lights and LED daytime running lights.
Having started a test drive in the city, you can’t immediately say that you are driving a new version, only 1.6 4x4 automatic cars were provided for the test. During normal driving on a hard road, only the front wheels drive the car, and in heavy traffic it is very difficult to feel the difference with front-wheel drive. Once out on the track, it became much easier to notice the changes; the very first overtaking hints at worsening dynamics, the loss in acceleration to 100 km / h is 1 second, a total of 13.1 s, so be more careful when overtaking and calculate the maneuver in advance. Otherwise, there are no complaints about the car on the track.
But do you need all-wheel drive for highway travel? The organizers laid a rather difficult track, taking into account the fact that we are testing a crossover, and not a full-fledged SUV. The off-road section, by the way, is located not far from Kolomna, which made it possible to keep the mud in liquid form, in Moscow everything froze that day, and in the north of the region it snowed at all. On the off-road, the lack of power was not felt at all, the Creta climbed steep climbs with ease and descended them with no less ease, thanks to the hill descent assistance system. Crete crawls well through puddles and ruts, very confident, even if you forgot to turn on the clutch lock. Hanging one of the 4 wheels is also not able to stop the Korean crossover, it rides as long as there is a “hook” on the road tires.
Having got out of a serious off-road, I managed to ride plenty on primers, of varying degrees of damage, and Creta again struck with her suspension: it is very difficult to catch a test and there is no buildup, the engineers found a very good compromise.
If you compare it in absentia with the French competitors Duster or Ka tur, then they still lead on the primer, but on good roads Hyundai Creta easily wins back the gap and goes far ahead.
The main advantage of the new versions is, of course, the price, the version with mechanics costs from 969,900 rubles for the Active package, others are not yet offered, so you will have to pay 25,000 rubles for heating the steering wheel and rear seats, and another 20,000 rubles for improved headlights and foglights. All-wheel drive Creta with a 1.6 liter engine. (121 hp) and an automatic in the Comfort Plus configuration is available at a price of 1,139,900 rubles, which is only 60 tr. cheaper than a similar version with a two-liter engine, which is noticeably more dynamic on the highway, and in the city Creta can “be smart” with it. As for the surcharge compared to front-wheel drive and automatic, then the amount is already 80t.r. for a similar set.
Conclusion. The more versions, the better, of course, I personally see new Hyundai customers like this: 1.6 engine, automatic and all-wheel drive - this is a car for a beloved wife when her husband chooses this car. In winter it will not get stuck, in summer it will not accelerate much =). But the mechanics and all-wheel drive should already appeal to husbands, especially in small cities, traffic jams in which are not around the clock.
The Hendevs themselves predict an increase in the share of all-wheel drive versions in the sales structure of Creta from the current 30% to 50%, and I believe in it. By the way, there is still a queue for Krety, 3 months of production from the St. Petersburg plant have been bought out, maybe it's time for you to queue?
Another thing is the feeling of the obedience of the car on the road. In other words, manageability. There are much more new impressions here, since the all-wheel drive Crete does not have an H-shaped beam at the back, but a full-fledged multi-link suspension. And this nuance, believe me, is very significant. With such a chassis, Creta rides much softer and much more stable: when driving on a road of dubious quality, “pokes” on the body are transmitted measuredly and without unpleasant vibrations, and in corners the tail does not rearrange potholes when driving. Plus, the presence of all-wheel drive based on an electro-hydraulic clutch enhances the feeling of confidence behind the wheel. “Losing” a car on the road is very difficult, even on slippery surfaces and with frankly sharp provocations by the steering wheel. And to feel the moment when the rear wheels are included in the work is almost impossible: everything happens quickly and accurately.
Beneficial Formula
Pleasant handling is, of course, good. However, for most buyers, all-wheel drive means, first of all, increased cross-country ability and driving confidence on motley surfaces outside the urban jungle (read - on primers broken or washed out by rain in the country).
4.02.2018
All-wheel drive passenger vehicles are especially popular with motorists. Crossovers of the Hyundai brand, due to their driving and operational characteristics, have proven themselves exclusively on the good side, which is why they are widespread in our country. The Hyundai Crete drive has a complex design that provides uniform transmission of torque from the power unit to each wheel, significantly increasing the vehicle's cross-country ability and controllability in difficult road conditions (off-road, ice, etc.). This is exactly what the manufacturer claims, and Creta's numerous test drives are a direct confirmation of this. Let's try to describe in detail its characteristics, operating modes, features of maintenance and troubleshooting.
Creta wheel drive systems
The technology for transmitting torque to all wheels of the crossover is called AWD Dynamax, and has the following modes of operation:
- Automatic - when turned on, the Creta 1.6 4WD all-wheel drive remains deactivated. The engine torque is distributed to the front wheels. The car's ECU constantly analyzes the load on the power unit, the degree of wheel slip, the behavior of the car in motion, and, if necessary, turns on the second axle, making the crossover all-wheel drive. The use of this mode is recommended on city roads.
- Lock mode (4WD Lock) - remains activated when the speed does not exceed 30 km / h. After increasing the speed, the vehicle's ECU switches to automatic mode. 4WD Lock is ideal for driving off-road and in difficult terrain, since during its operation the maximum amount of traction is transferred to the wheels.
Depending on road conditions and driving features, the ECU in the described modes automatically connects the Hyundai Creta all-wheel drive, if the situation requires it. For example, when driving in the "cruise control" mode, torque is transmitted only to the front wheels, and when entering a turn (depending on the speed of movement and the angle of maneuver), the control system evenly distributes the force to all wheels, connecting all-wheel drive. As a result, the movement is completely stabilized when entering a sharp turn at high speed. In the event of slipping of one or both front wheels, the system instantly activates the rear axle. When driving in areas with poor roads, it is recommended to turn on the LOCK mode, which significantly increases the crossover's cross-country ability, handling and driving characteristics.
Features of the use of all-wheel drive
For the correct functioning of the system and ensuring traffic safety, it is necessary to follow some management recommendations. Often, the driver turns on both axles while driving on icy highways. In this case, do not sharply press on the accelerator and pick up speed. It is better to move at a constant, low speed. This will ensure maximum tire contact with the road surface. Naturally, while driving, you must constantly keep your distance. If you need to stop, do it better in a lower gear without pressing the brake pedal sharply. The drive on two axles cannot always provide ideal stability and controllability on a slippery track, so you must always adhere to the speed limit, avoid sudden accelerations and braking, downshift and brake smoothly before entering a turn.
All-wheel drive version of the Hyundai Creta
In the event that the all-wheel drive indicator is constantly on on the dashboard, while it is deactivated, you must contact the service station. It is possible that the cause of the malfunction lies in the incorrect operation of the computer, and after flashing it everything will work as before.
It is worth emphasizing that when driving in the city, it is necessary to deactivate the LOCK mode, since it is intended exclusively for areas with difficult terrain. Its use on urban highways is unacceptable, since there is a risk of damage to the transmission, powertrain and suspension elements.
Despite the fact that Creta 1.6 all-wheel drive is stable in operation, automatic mode switching and high reliability, it is very susceptible to high loads. Naturally, the all-wheel power transmission system will help to overcome impassability, a snowy plain, an icy highway, but still you should not arrange constant strength tests for it, operating the car in conditions close to extreme. It must be understood that the Creta is just a crossover, not an SUV. To a greater extent, it is intended for operation in urban mode, areas with difficult terrain and bad roads.
Cross-country ability and driving performance of Hyundai Creta 4 WD and 2WD cars
If we consider the scheme that provides the car with all-wheel drive, it can be noted that the design of its main components is almost identical to older versions of the crossover. In addition, most of the technical solutions were borrowed from other models of the brand - Tucson and Santa Fe. In principle, the all-wheel drive version of 4WD and front-wheel drive 2WD work perfectly under any road conditions.
Numerous test drives of the crossover in areas with different terrain and lack of road surface revealed all the possibilities of this car. Creta is easy to move, even when all the wheels are in the water or on a slippery sloping surface. Uniform distribution of force from the engine to the wheels, wide tires, the correct division of the mass of the body provides the car with excellent cross-country ability. But still, the Hyundai Creta is not a full-fledged off-road SUV, which is why it is not recommended to constantly operate it with an increased load directly on the all-wheel drive system. The car on tests easily overcame shallow streams ford, climbed steep slopes. Note that the model showed these indicators with both automatic and manual transmissions.
The main feature of Crete's all-wheel drive is the presence in its design of a special controlled electro-hydraulic locking clutch, which, along with other systems and mechanisms, can significantly improve the vehicle's driving characteristics in complete off-road conditions. But, in practice, things are somewhat different. For example, locking the clutch does not always allow you to overcome deep, loose snow, mud, or an icy road surface. And if the car gets into a rut, the clutch lock can only aggravate the situation.
Strange as it may seem, it climbs well on snow-covered or slippery long climbs. In many ways, in addition to the intelligent control of the distribution of force on all wheels, this is facilitated by the presence of other useful systems:
- electronic differential lock mechanism;
- anti-slip system.
If necessary, all of the listed systems can be turned off if this action is really justified.
Provet test drive of the new Hyundai Creta 2.0 AWD on the mountain roads of Altai. Below, he talks about his impressions after testing the all-wheel drive crossover.
I press the start button of the 2.0-liter engine - and in response, silence. Only the tachometer needle jumps to the idle mark, indicating an excellent level of vibration protection, the same as with the 1.6 engine. True, during dynamic acceleration, the older engine sounds louder than the base engine at high speeds, despite the fact that it does not like others.
The first reaction to gas is lively, but then the fuse dries up: you increase the fuel supply while driving at speed, and the result is modest. There are exactly 150 forces here? The six-speed "automatic" for the budget segment is good: in the modern spirit, it actively blocks the torque converter. The shifts are soft, and you can only complain about a second delay in the transitions down, sometimes too active, two steps at a time.
Isn't that why the consumption of gasoline (thanks at least for the "ninety-second") turns out to be rather big? For 350 "route" kilometers along the Chuisky tract, the onboard computer counted 9.5 l / 100 km, because with each overtaking, engine weakness provokes squeezing all the juice out of the engine. And this is with the air conditioner turned off (the weather in Altai allows) and even more so the energy-consuming heating of the seats, steering wheel, windshield ...
The Hyundai Creta 2.0 on a test drive is just as pleased with the lightweight steering wheel in the parking lot as its small-volume sister, but at high speeds the electric power steering provides greater transparency. A heart-to-heart talk with this chassis comes out only a little insincere, but the vast majority of interlocutor buyers will be satisfied.
One thing is confusing: after returning to Moscow, it turned out that the test cars were shod with non-standard Hankook tires instead of Chinese-made Nexen tires. So, I will not rush to the conclusion that on 17-inch tires Greta clings to the asphalt better and reacts a little more accurately to the steering wheel.
But the ride is worse. A car with a 1.6 engine (and I was once again convinced of this in Altai) is only a little harsh, but in general it rides very collected and thoroughbred. The suspension of the two-liter version is clamped in the midrange, most likely due to the fact that with all the options the car is one and a half hundredweight heavier. It turns out that the warped, “humpbacked” asphalt on a long journey begins to tire.
Swallowing shock absorbers provoke not to slow down on a country road, but the AWD all-wheel drive from the Tucson crossover, as we remember, is prone to overheating of the rear wheel coupling. Creta is 130 kg lighter, and in any case, on the rocky shores of the Katun, the clutch did not express discontent. The button for its forced locking is fixed in the pressed position, the Lock light is on at any speed - just look at the instructions and you feel deceived: in fact, the clutches are compressed only up to 30 km / h. Well, at least there is a blockage at all, as is the descent assistance system.
Vadim Gagarin from auto.mail.ru conducted a comparison test between Hyundai Greta and Renault Kaptur to find out which of these SUVs is preferable. The main thoughts of the author of the test drive are given below.
A two-liter Creta can also be bought in a front-wheel drive version, saving 80 thousand rubles on this. Kaptur, on the contrary, with a top engine is offered only with four driving wheels. That is why the Frenchman starts rather slowly from a place (although the characteristics assure that he accelerates to a hundred faster than Crete), and the box sometimes twitches when switching.
Before overtaking, it is better to switch to a step down in manual mode, and on the track such a Kaptur upsets with increased crankshaft speeds. Which, however, does not affect the acoustic comfort in any way - a very quiet car! Greta's forte is a six-speed automatic, available for any of the two engines (1.6 and 2.0). But not only because of this, it rushes forward like a stung one - the first response to the gas pedal, typical for Hyundai, is unnecessarily harsh.
And this interferes in traffic jams or when trying to fit into a tight parking space - no matter how you don’t end up in a neighbor’s bumper! Otherwise, there are no complaints about the power unit, although the box is trying with all its might to stay at the higher levels and when overtaking or accelerating, you have to press the pedal to the kickdown. The most surprising thing is that fuel consumption in urban conditions for crossovers turned out to be the same: 11.5-11.7 l / 100 km. But if Kaptur needs to be filled with “95th” gasoline, then Creta is certified for the use of 92nd.
In general, the Hyundai Creta is good on city streets - it has much better visibility, especially forward, a light steering wheel that women will definitely like, and it is not afraid of turns. With Renault, the opposite is true - bumps from bumps in the arc are transmitted to the “tight” steering wheel, and KamAZ can hide behind thick front pillars.
But the more difficult the conditions, the better for Captur! On the days of the test, the road was covered with snow, but even on standard all-season Pirelli Scorpion Verde tires, the car is easy to feel (thanks to the hydraulic booster!) And clings to the surface well. And just a little - ESP will delicately enter into the matter. Very transparent behavior! But the main thing — it's a fantastic ride on bad roads. Pits, potholes, primer - all for nothing!
Hyundai feels more shaky and fussy, and the one who thought of changing the Creta into Sava Eskimo Ice spikes should be deprived of the award - and the point is not only that the spikes in it seem to be only for decoration, but they also buzz unpleasantly, which only emphasizes the poor sound insulation of the wheel arches.
Together with a 1.6 liter engine.
Scene: Kolomna, Russia.
Impression: in the eight months since the start of sales, more than 35,000 Hyundai Creta crossovers have found their owners. This made the car one of the leaders in the crossover segment in Russia. Hyundai does not stop there and, in order to further interest customers, makes available all-wheel drive. From now on, all drive wheels are offered not only with a 2.0-liter engine (149.6 hp), but also with a 1.6-liter engine (121 hp). The version can be selected both with a 6-speed manual and with a 6-speed automatic.
A car with mechanics in the Active configuration costs 969,900 rubles. The version with a gun is offered in the richest Comfort Plus equipment, from 1,139,900 rubles.
Increased fuel consumption. According to the passport in the combined cycle, the car “eats” 0.4 / 0.5 liters more - 9.6 / 9.9 liters (data for mechanics and automatic). Acceleration to the first hundred is now expectedly worse, by 0.6 / 1.0 s (12.9 / 13.1 s), and the maximum speed has fallen by two kilometers per hour. Now it is 167 km / h, however, where are you going to accelerate to them? The fault is the increased curb weight due to the drives. She grew by 66 kg at Creta with mechanics and by 70 kg with a machine gun.
The design has not changed. It is the same as on the two-liter version, as well as on the older models of the brand - Tucson and Santa Fe.On the test, we managed to drive a car with an automatic transmission.
There was no serious off-road on the route, but it is understandable. Creta, first of all, is an urban crossover, not a serious SUV. She cheerfully climbs into a steep climb, but it is better not to meddle in the forests on her. In the rut primer, the suspension seemed too stiff. But on the steering wheel I didn’t feel any blows and it didn’t get out of my hands. The machine switched to manual mode - it’s still more pleasant to control the engine traction when overcoming steep hills.
But on asphalt, there are no complaints about the car. The smoothness of the car is excellent. I also liked the soundproofing. Even if you turn the engine up to 4000 rpm, the sound of the engine and tire noise is almost inaudible. At the same time, the automatic machine is slightly thoughtful, therefore, when overtaking, I again transfer the selector to manual mode.
Outlook: the car that successfully launched on the market received a more affordable all-wheel drive version - what other questions can there be about the prospects? Buying a monoprivodnik, when you can buy an option with all the leading ones for almost the same money, you still have to manage it! And in comparison with a 2.0-liter all-wheel drive - 170 thousand odds. And this is in the affordable segment of the crossover market.
Grade: the company's goal is that every second buyer chooses Cretu with all-wheel drive. With the advent of the 1.6 AWD modification, I think it is quite achievable.
Details: ZR, 2017, No. 5.
