Hyundai Exter vs Punch vs C3 vs Ignis: price, specifications compared

Hyundai launched its most affordable SUV in India, the Exter, earlier this week at an introductory price of Rs 6 lakh (ex-showroom, India). It competes with the likes of the Tata Punch, Citroen C3 and Maruti Suzuki Ignis.

We’ll put the Exter SUV through its paces soon enough and compare it with its competition out on the road. But first, let us see how it stacks up against its rivals on paper.

Hyundai Exter vs rivals: dimensions

In terms of dimensions, the Exter isn’t the largest vehicle in the sub-compact SUV segment. It measures 3,815mm in length, 1,710mm in width and 1,631mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,450mm. Almost every other vehicle here, barring the Ignis, is bigger than the Exter. Even its ground clearance sits right in the middle of the competition. The two dimensions where the Exter trumps its competition are its boot space, 391 litres, and its height.

As for the rivals, the Citroen C3 is the longest and widest subcompact SUV, measuring 3,981mm and 1,733mm, respectively. It also has the longest wheelbase at 2,540mm. The Tata Punch has the highest ground clearance of all four, at 187mm. The Maruti Suzuki Ignis is the smallest one of the lot in almost all dimensions. 

Hyundai Exter vs rivals: powertrain

In terms of powertrains, the four sub-compact SUVs get a 1.2-litre engine; and while both the Exter and Ignis get four-cylinder units, the Punch and C3 get three-cylinder units. Uniquely, the Citroen gets two petrol engines with one naturally aspirated unit producing 82hp and a turbocharged unit producing 110hp. This makes the C3 Turbo the most powerful model here.

The Exter gets a 1,197cc, four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 83hp and 114Nm of torque. Along with the Ignis, which has the same power output, the Exter makes the least amount of power of all the four vehicles here.

Interestingly, all four vehicles get a 5-speed manual as standard, while the C3 Turbo is the only one to get a 6-speed manual. The Citroen is the only one to not have an automatic gearbox and all others get a 5-speed AMT. 

Hyundai Exter vs rivals: fuel efficiency

The Exter also has another ace up its sleeve. It is the only subcompact SUV to offer a factory-fitted CNG kit, and is available only with a 5-speed manual gearbox. It has a claimed fuel efficiency of 27.10kg/km.

Fuel efficiency is the only place the Maruti Suzuki wins over its competition here as the manual and automatic versions of the Ignis return 20.89kpl (claimed). The Hyundai and Citroen sit at the lower end of this spectrum as they have a claimed fuel efficiency of 19.4kpl and 19.3kpl, respectively. However, it is the Punch automatic which is the least fuel-efficient, returning only 18.8kpl (claimed). 

Hyundai Exter vs rivals: price

The Exter starts at an introductory price of Rs 6 lakh, which is on par with the starting price of the Punch, however, both are not the most affordable here as the Ignis starts at Rs 5.84 lakh. Meanwhile, the Citroen has the highest starting price, at Rs 6.16 lakh.

When comparing the prices of the top-spec trims, here, too, the Ignis is the least expensive amongst its competition, at Rs 8.16 lakh. However, the Exter is the most expensive of the lot as the top-spec trim is priced at Rs 10 lakh, Rs 58,000 more than the top-spec Punch. 

*all prices ex-showroom, India

Also see:

Hyundai Exter price, variants explained