Bangkok 2025: Hyundai Creta N Line facelift – more like a face swap, all-new rear/dash too, 1.5L NA CVT

We don’t remember seeing a facelift this major, at least in recent times. The Hyundai Creta facelift has all-new front and rear ends, plus a completely fresh dashboard. We’re not talking about a simple headlamp and grille job but a total rejig of the elements – it should be face swap instead!

Introduced in India in early 2024, this is a revamp of the already-facelifted Creta that was launched in Malaysia in April 2023. Compared to the Tuscon-style front end of the pre-facelift, the new fascia appears more angular and macho, with a square grille and sharp ‘skid plate’ trim and headlamps.

The B-segment SUV’s boxier appearance and proud hood are highlighted by inverted L-shaped LEDs and a full-width strip of light on the car’s forehead.

The rear LED lights are also full-width with the same inverted Ls at the edges. The look is completely different from the previous rear end, which had distinct ‘J’ tail lamps and plenty of ’empty space’. The rear apron is squarer and bolder. It’s clear that Hyundai wanted a more rugged look for the Creta. The car you see here is the N Line with big 18-inch alloys (225/55 tyres) and a prominent rear wing.

Total revamp for the cabin too. The more traditional-looking ‘waterfall’ centre console look makes way for a layout that features conjoined dual screens, low-set air con vents and a high centre console for a more contemporary look. This layout is common in 2025, but what sets the Creta apart from the sea of Chinese cars at BIMS is the amount of physical buttons on the centre console – AC and media buttons are all clustered below the vents.

The sporty N Line brings generous helpings of contrasting red trim for the black cabin, as well as N logos on the gear knob, steering wheel and seats.

Here in Thailand, the Creta facelift is powered by a 1.5-litre MPI engine 115 hp and 144 Nm of torque. The naturally aspirated SmartStream four-pot with D-CVVT is paired to an IVT (Intelligent Variable Transmission, Hyundai’s name for CVT) that sends drive to the front wheels. Safety wise, it’s six airbags and the full Hyundai SmartSense ADAS pack.

The Creta facelift comes in a single high spec here, and the rather comprehensive equipment list includes a panoramic glass roof that can open (with sunshade), eight-speaker Bose sound system, two 10.25-inch screens, leather, ambient lighting, auto air con, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and wireless charger, among other things.

Two colours are available, both with a black roof – Creamy White Pearl or this very nice shade of Dragon Red Pearl. With a super competitive SUV field that includes ICE incumbents like the Honda HR-V and Toyota Corolla Cross, and the ever-increasing number of Chinese SUVs (including EVs) launching here, this CBU import from Indonesia will be a rare sight in the Land of Smiles at 1.199 million baht (RM156,566).

Design can really make or break a car, and the scope of this facelift is as good as Hyundai admitting that the previous look wasn’t very well-liked. What do you think of it now?

GALLERY: Hyundai Creta N Line facelift at BIMS 2025

GALLERY: Hyundai Creta pre-facelift in Malaysia

The post Bangkok 2025: Hyundai Creta N Line facelift – more like a face swap, all-new rear/dash too, 1.5L NA CVT appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.