After spending half a year with India’s newest electric SUV, we share our honest experience with the Hyundai Creta Electric
When Hyundai launched the Creta Electric in early 2025, it wasn’t just another EV entering the market – it was the electrification of India’s most beloved compact SUV. After six months and over 15,000 kilometers behind the wheel, we’re ready to share our comprehensive long-term review of what it’s really like to live with the Creta Electric daily.
Hyundai Creta Electric — Specifications
| Specification | Standard Range (42 kWh) | Long Range (51.4 kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Capacity | 42 kWh (liquid-cooled Li-ion pack) | 51.4 kWh (liquid-cooled Li-ion pack) |
| Range (ARAI / MIDC) | ~390 km | ~473 km |
| Motor | IPMSM; 99 kW / 135 PS; Front-Wheel Drive | IPMSM; 126 kW / 171 PS; Front-Wheel Drive |
| 0–100 km/h Acceleration | — | 7.9 seconds (claimed) |
| Charging (DC Fast, 50 kW) | 10–80% in ~58 minutes | 10–80% in ~58 minutes |
| Charging (AC, 11 kW) | 10–100% in ~4 hours | 10–100% in ~4.5 hours |
| Dimensions (L × W × H) | 4,340 × 1,790 × 1,655 mm (height with roof rails) | Same |
| Wheelbase | 2,610 mm | Same |
| Tyres / Wheels | 215/60 R17 aero alloy; low rolling resistance tyres; steel spare | Same |
| Suspension | McPherson strut front; torsion beam rear | Same |
| Brakes | Disc front and rear | Same |
| Ground Clearance | ~190 mm (Autocar: 200 mm) | Same |
| Boot Capacity | ~433 litres | Same + ~22 litre frunk (front trunk) |
| Key Features | Dual 10.25″ screens, Morse-code ‘H’ logo, V2L (Vehicle-to-Load), Level 2 ADAS, digital key, drive modes (Eco, Normal, Sport), drive selector on steering column, rear-seat utility trays, wireless charging, ventilated front seats, etc. | Same |
Hyundai Creta e.v. , ex-showroom price –
| Variant (Battery) | Ex-Showroom Price (₹ lakh) |
|---|---|
| Executive (42 kWh) | 17.99 |
| Smart (42 kWh) | 19.00 |
| Smart (O) (42 kWh) | 19.50 |
| Smart (O) Dual Tone / Matte (42 kWh) | 19.65 |
| Premium (42 kWh) | 20.00 |
| Premium Dual Tone / Matte (42 kWh) | 20.15 |
| Smart (O) HC (42 kWh) | 20.23 |
| Smart (O) HC DT (42 kWh) | 20.38 |
| Premium HC (42 kWh) | 20.73 |
| Premium HC DT (42 kWh) | 20.88 |
| Smart (O) LR (51.4 kWh) | 21.50 |
| Smart (O) LR DT (51.4 kWh) | 21.65 |
| Smart (O) LR HC (51.4 kWh) | 22.23 |
| Smart (O) LR HC DT (51.4 kWh) | 22.38 |
| Excellence LR (51.4 kWh) | 23.50 |
| Excellence LR DT (51.4 kWh) | 23.65 |
| Excellence LR HC (51.4 kWh) | 24.23 |
| Excellence LR HC DT (51.4 kWh) (Top Model) | 24.38 |
First Impressions That Last
The Creta Electric doesn’t scream “I’m electric” from every angle, and that’s actually a good thing. Hyundai has taken a subtle approach to the design, maintaining the familiar Creta silhouette while adding thoughtful EV-specific touches. The redesigned front grille and aerodynamically optimized alloy wheels hint at its electric nature without being too obvious.
Step inside, and you’re greeted by what feels like a significant upgrade over the regular Creta. The integrated dual-screen setup for infotainment and instrument cluster creates a modern, tech-forward cabin that feels appropriately futuristic for an electric vehicle.
Real-World Range: The Truth About Daily Driving
Let’s address the elephant in the room – range anxiety. Hyundai claims the Long Range variant offers up to 390 km on a single charge, but what does that translate to in real-world conditions?
Over our testing period, we consistently achieved between 320-350 km in mixed driving conditions. City driving with moderate air conditioning usage typically delivered around 4.2-4.8 km per kWh, while highway stretches at 80-100 kmph brought this down to about 3.8-4.2 km per kWh.
The good news? For most Indian families, this range is more than adequate. Our typical week involved daily commutes of 40-60 km, weekend trips to nearby cities, and occasional longer journeys. We found ourselves charging twice a week on average, which quickly became part of our routine.
Performance: Surprisingly Engaging
The Long Range Creta Electric produces 169 bhp and 255 Nm of torque, figures that translate to genuinely satisfying performance on the road. The 0-100 kmph sprint in 7.9 seconds might not set your pulse racing, but the instant torque delivery makes city driving a breeze.
What impressed us most was how the three driving modes – Eco, Normal, and Sport – actually feel meaningfully different. Eco mode extends range significantly but doesn’t make the car feel sluggish for city use. Sport mode transforms the Creta into a surprisingly peppy companion for highway overtakes and spirited driving.
The regenerative braking system offers multiple levels of adjustment, and we found the mid-setting perfect for most conditions. It provides good energy recovery without feeling too aggressive or uncomfortable for passengers.
Charging Experience: The Real Test
This is where the Creta Electric truly shines in long-term use. Home charging with an 11kW AC wallbox became our primary method, typically plugging in overnight. The Long Range variant takes about 4 hours and 50 minutes for a complete 10-100% charge, which worked perfectly with our daily routine.
For longer trips, DC fast charging proved reliable and reasonably quick. The claimed 10-80% charge time of 58 minutes using a 50kW DC charger held true in our experience, though finding reliable fast charging infrastructure outside major cities remains a challenge.
One pleasant surprise was the vehicle’s charging curve – it maintains relatively fast charging speeds even as the battery approaches 80%, making those coffee-break charging sessions genuinely useful.
Interior: Where Premium Meets Practical
Six months in, the cabin quality continues to impress. The materials feel premium for this price segment, and build quality has remained solid despite heavy usage. The ventilated front seats proved invaluable during summer months, while the panoramic sunroof adds an airy feel to the cabin.
The dual-zone climate control works efficiently without drastically impacting range, something we were initially concerned about. The integrated infotainment system has been largely bug-free, though the interface could be more intuitive for some functions.
Rear seat space remains generous for the compact SUV segment, though the slightly raised floor (to accommodate the battery pack) is noticeable if you’re moving from a regular Creta.
Cost of Ownership: The EV Advantage
Here’s where the Creta Electric starts making strong financial sense. Our electricity costs for 15,000 km averaged around ₹18,000, compared to what would have been approximately ₹75,000 in fuel costs for a similar petrol SUV.
Service costs have been minimal – essentially just general inspections and software updates. The 8-year/1.6 lakh km battery warranty provides excellent peace of mind.
Insurance costs are slightly higher than the regular Creta, but the overall cost of ownership equation tilts heavily in favor of the electric version.
The Inconveniences: Keeping It Real
No long-term review would be complete without discussing the challenges. Range planning for longer trips requires more thought and preparation than we initially anticipated. While 350 km is sufficient for most use cases, it does mean being more mindful of charging opportunities on longer journeys.
The charging infrastructure, while improving, still feels underdeveloped outside major metros. We had a couple of instances where planned DC charging stops weren’t functional, requiring route modifications.
During extremely hot summer days, aggressive air conditioning use could drop range by 15-20%, something to factor in for longer trips during peak summer months.
Features That Actually Matter
Beyond the obvious EV benefits, several features stood out during our ownership period:
The Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) function proved surprisingly useful for outdoor activities and emergency situations. Being able to power small appliances directly from the car felt like a genuine party trick that guests always appreciated.
The smartphone connectivity and remote features through Hyundai’s BlueLink app became genuinely useful, especially for pre-cooling the cabin during hot afternoons or checking charging status remotely.
The safety package, including six airbags and electronic stability control, provided confidence during monsoon driving and highway journeys.
Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Buy the Creta Electric
After six months of real-world use, the Creta Electric makes perfect sense for urban and suburban families with predictable driving patterns. If your daily commute is under 100 km and you have access to home charging, this SUV delivers on its promises.
However, if you frequently undertake unplanned long-distance travel or live in areas with poor charging infrastructure, the regular Creta variants might still be more practical options.
The Verdict: Living with Tomorrow’s SUV Today
Starting at ₹17.99 lakh, the Hyundai Creta Electric isn’t just an electrified version of a popular SUV – it’s a genuinely improved vehicle that happens to be electric. The refinement, performance, and feature set feel like a step up from the regular Creta, making the EV transition feel like an upgrade rather than a compromise.
Six months in, range anxiety has largely disappeared, replaced by the satisfaction of near-silent, emission-free driving and significantly lower running costs. The Creta Electric successfully maintains everything we loved about the original while adding the benefits of electric mobility.
For families ready to embrace electric driving, the Creta Electric represents one of the most compelling packages in the Indian EV market today. It’s not perfect, but it’s very good at being what most people need: a practical, efficient, and enjoyable family SUV that just happens to run on electrons instead of petrol.
Rating: 4.2/5
Pros:
- Excellent real-world range for most use cases
- Refined and quiet driving experience
- Feature-rich cabin with premium feel
- Strong performance and multiple driving modes
- Efficient charging system
- Significantly lower running costs
Cons:
- Limited fast charging infrastructure outside cities
- Range drops noticeably with aggressive AC use
- Requires more trip planning for long journeys
- Slightly higher insurance costs
The Hyundai Creta Electric successfully bridges the gap between conventional SUVs and the electric future, making it an easy recommendation for urban families ready to make the switch.