Hyundai Sketches the Creta Crossover, Confirming its ix25 Roots

Hyundai Creta Teaser (Credit: © Hyundai)

It’s been just a few days since Hyundai announced its new Creta subcompact crossover, and it has already released a few artist’s renderings of the tiny people hauler’s exterior and interior.

From this rendering, it is pretty obvious that the Creta will be little more than a renamed version of the company’s ix25 concept, which debuted in China last year. Of course, when adapting the ix25 to worldwide safety standards, there will be a few changes; however, in terms of looks, the Creta should retain the styling cues of the ix25 concept (pictured below).

2014 Hyundai ix25 Concept (Credit: © Hyundai)

Given the Creta retains all of the goodies from the ix25, look for it to roll into dealers with the Nu 2.0-liter engine and available HTRAC all-wheel drive. In Europe, however, don’t be surprised to see Hyundai eventually take some liberties with the engine lineup, including optional diesel units.

With it now clear that the Creta will be a global version of the ix25, the chances of it arriving in the U.S. are high. Reports in late 2014 claimed that Hyundai America was planning to bring the small crossover to America in 2017. With the overseas release date of the Creta now available, the 2014 claims have gained a lot of validity, as it will take about two years to perform market research and get the Creta ready for U.S. buyers.

Hyundai Creta Teaser (Credit: © Hyundai)

The Creta will make its initial debut in India in the second half of 2015, so we should see a concept version of it very soon. This concept will give us more clarity as to whether it will make its way to our shores, or not.

Let us know in the comments if you’d be interested in yet another subcompact SUV in the U.S.