Creta or Kaptur: making a difficult choice

Hyundai Creta and Renault Kaptur are crossovers that almost simultaneously appeared in the Russian Federation and have earned great popularity due to their status as budget cars in the SUV category. In addition to the similarity in the suggested retail price, they have other common features that often cause confusion. There are also cardinal differences, even if they are not always visible. In general, we should consider the similarities and individual traits of both crossovers, and determine who is the best.

Line of engines

Renault Kaptur of the Russian assembly offers the buyer one of two engines. Or a 1,3-liter turbocharged 149 hp. with., or a 1,6-liter atmospheric for 114 liters. With. The latter is well known from the equally well-known Logan and Duster models, and even managed to light up in the engine compartment of the Lada X-Ray. The turbocharged engine is only available with a continuously variable transmission, while the smaller aspirated engine works with a 5-speed manual gearbox.



Hyundai Creta in terms of the number of available engines is on par with its French competitor. In a cheap configuration, under the hood is a 1,6-liter G4FG engine with a capacity of 123 hp. s., who has already managed to prove himself as a “long-liver”. Judging by the reviews, the motor, with proper care, may well overcome 300 thousand kilometers without major repairs. The second option is a 2,0-liter G4NA engine with 149 hp. With. A similar one is installed in Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage.

Based on the results of the comparison, Renault Kaptur has the most “frisky” engine. Of course, we are talking about the turbocharged H5Ht. With it, the crossover accelerates from 0 to 100 km / h in 10,4 seconds, and the maximum speed is 188 km / h. Creta with an engine of similar power produces a result of 11,3 seconds and 179 km / h, respectively. Such a gap can not be called astronomical, but still it exists.

In what there are practically no differences in the technical part, it is in fuel consumption. For the “Frenchman”, depending on the engine, the consumption of gasoline in the combined cycle is 7,4 and 7,9 l / 100 km, while for the “Korean” the consumption is 7,4 and 8,0 l / 100 km. However, it must be taken into account that the Kaptur with a turbocharged engine consumes as much as the Creta with a “light” 1,6-liter engine with 123 hp. With.

Dimensions and permeability

With a wheelbase of 2674 mm, the dimensions of the Kaptur are 4333x1813x1613 mm. The Korean rival with a center distance of 2590 mm demonstrates dimensions of 4270x1780x1630 mm. The conclusion suggests itself - in the cabin of the "Frenchman" there is a little more space due to the additional 84 mm wheelbase. At least that's how it should be, but in reality the difference is almost imperceptible. Moreover, Creta, despite its smaller size, breaks ahead in terms of trunk volume. She has 402 liters instead of 387 liters available from Renault. Albeit a small one, but still an advantage.



An important detail in the luggage compartment: the all-wheel drive Kaptur has a stowaway in the so-called “underground”, while the front-wheel drive version has a spare wheel fixed right under the trunk floor. This means that the spare tire will be dirty in the first minute of driving on a muddy road. In this regard, the Creta looks better, since in any version the spare wheel is stored in a compartment under the raised floor of the luggage compartment. There is also a fairly spacious organizer for storing tools and other trinkets. Kaptur cannot offer anything in this regard.

As for the one who leads in races on a country road, in a direct comparison, the “Frenchman” wins. Its ground clearance is 205mm compared to the 190mm seen on the Creta. Under the bottom of the Renault there is a powerful steel protection, the safety of the brake hoses and the fuel tank is thought out. The Korean opponent does not have all this, so you have to drive very carefully over bumps.

Who is more practical?

In terms of the volume of the fuel tank, Hyundai Creta breaks out into the first place, into which 55 liters can be poured at a time. Renault is a little more modest - it holds 52 liters. But these are trifles in comparison with the fact that the Korean car, regardless of the engine version, “digests” AI-92 gasoline. This gives the driver the opportunity to save a lot of money, thereby not bringing the overhaul of the motor closer. Unfortunately, this privilege is not available to Renault owners - AI-95 must be refueled.



In terms of handling, both crossovers go hood to hood, but there are slight differences. Creta due to more responsive gas and light informative steering wheel is better controlled in the city. The car, in comparison with the opponent, rolls less and overcomes steep slopes more easily. On the other hand, Kaptur is fully rehabilitated when smooth asphalt is replaced by a dirt road. The chassis works out smoothly, on a bad road the model behaves almost like a Renault Duster.

Interior Design

The interior of both crossovers is decorated mostly with cheap and hard plastic. Still, we are considering budget models, so something has to be sacrificed. However, a vivid feeling is created that Creta's interior has been worked better, so to speak, with soul. It's more ergonomic than the Kaptur's "avant-garde" interior, feels cozier, and looks a bit more expensive, as far as the word is concerned in this price segment. Renault comes out ahead only at the expense of design chips, including colored decorative inserts.



The Creta steering column is adjustable in two planes, but Kaptur only offers height adjustment. In the “Korean”, the keys for turning on the heating of the front seats are located in a convenient area on the central tunnel, and in the “Frenchman”, you will have to blindly reach for them somewhere towards the end of the chair. Yes, and Hyundai's heating is much more interesting - three-stage with illumination of the mode control buttons, while Renault has one-stage, and the keys are the simplest.

What and how much does it cost?

The recommended retail price of Hyundai Creta in the Russian Federation as of May 2022 is from 1,859 million rubles. Against this background, Renault Kaptur looks more attractive, since the price tag for it starts at 1,724 million rubles. On the one hand, there is only about 130 thousand difference, and on the other hand, with this money in the future you can go through several MOTs or buy consumables.

In the secondary market, both crossovers are almost very close. The minimum cost of Creta from 2019 is from 1,1 million rubles with a range of up to 80 thousand kilometers. A similar age Kaptur can be found from 1 million rubles, but most offers at the bottom of the market start from just the same 1,1 million as in the case of the Korean competitor. Mileage in this case is comparable.

Conclusion

Need a comfortable and stylish crossover with a cozy interior and mainly for urban use? In this case, your choice is definitely Hyundai Creta. Do you plan to partly go to a country road without fear of getting stuck or turning the bottom? Then a slightly more ascetic, but passable and unpretentious Renault Kaptur will be the best investment for you.



There are more similarities between the two crossovers than serious differences. Perhaps it is precisely for this reason that they both enjoy relatively equal popularity, and neither of them stands in the shadow of the other. Think about what exactly you need a car for, and make a choice.