Has The Hyundai Creta got enough mojo to take on the Peugeot 2008 in Malaysia.
The B-Segment SUV segment in Malaysia is sizzling with products like the Perodua Ativa, Mazda CX-3, Proton X50 and even the Toyota Corolla Cross. Selling prices vary from RM72k to RM149k due to ‘Malaysian car’ status and locally assembly against fully imported.
The ‘game’ in Malaysia has not been fair for decades and this is why certain brands do exceptionally better than others. It’s all about import duties and politics.
The most recent entry in the compact crossover segment, is the Hyundai Creta and it comes in with a futuristic and stylish design as its key selling point.
It’s not alone in this market. Another contender in this space is the Peugeot 2008 – equally compact and equally stylish. Between the Korean and French options, which of these fashion-forward mini SUVs should you pick?
Styling is probably the biggest factor one would buy one of these crossovers – after all there are plenty of other options out there that are more value-oriented and appealing to the mass market. Design is, of course, a subjective matter.
That being said, the Creta does a very good job at integrating the Parametric Jewel grille from the larger Tucson into a smaller frame. The Creta can pass as an upmarket SUV with sophisticated and rather unique styling.
The Peugeot 2008 is also very appealing to look at. The claw-style daytime running lights and hard edges of its body give it an ultra modern and sporty outlook. Ultimately, it is subjective but there’s no denying that both vehicles are very fashionable looking.
Inside, the Hyundai has a slight edge thanks to a larger 8” touchscreen and WIRELESS Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While it does seem like just one missing feature, it will make your experience of the vehicle different for the rest of your ownership.
The Creta also has paddle shifters, which are missing on the 2008. The Creta may also be more appealing to those with a small family as it comes with rear air cond vents, which are essential in Malaysian weather.
Besides that, the Creta is also slightly larger in places compared to the 2008. The differences are small, but they add up to a more practical experience. There’s 11L more boot space, 5mm more wheelbase, 80mm more height, 20mm more width and 15mm more overall length on the Hyundai versus the Peugeot.
Hyundai is frequently cited as the top brand in initial quality and dependability by J.D. Power. In the era of downsized, turbocharged engines, the 1.5-litre SmartStream four-cylinder motor is a rare breath of fresh air. Not even Perodua offers a compact crossover with a naturally-aspirated engine!
It delivers smooth and sufficient power for daily commuting and is simple enough to keep running for a long time. Paired to an Intelligent Variable Transmission, the Creta is the kind of crossover you wouldn’t mind being stuck in traffic in, as fuel efficiency is guaranteed.
That being said, if you’re looking for something performance oriented, the Peugeot 2008 has a lot more torque on tap – which translates to hard hitting acceleration. It has 128hp and 230Nm of torque available versus the Creta’s 115hp and 144Nm of torque. The Peugeot’s 3-cylinder is a little rougher in traffic but there’s no denying the powertrain’s ferocity when pushed.
Both the Hyundai Creta and Peugeot 2008 are equally impressive. Both come with 6 airbags, and all the expected braking and stability aids. Both are also full of advanced driver safety assist systems (ADAS).
The Creta includes Forward and Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Leading Vehicle Departure Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Safe Exit Warning and High Beam. The 2008 has a few missing ADAS items but still comes with Active Lane Keeping Assist, Driver Attention Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring and Active Safety Brake.
Finally, there’s the price. Here the Peugeot 2008 takes a big win as it is locally-assembled at the Stellantis Plant in Gurun, Kedah while the Hyundai Creta is fully-imported from Indonesia. The 2008 comes in at RM133,388 while the Creta is priced at RM149,888.
