New Exter, Hyundai’s compact SUV that has been winning hearts across Indian cities, recently proved its long-distance
touring credentials in an incredible real-world test. An Exter owner from Bengaluru shared his thoughts on Reddit about
the car. He drove a remarkable 1,030 kilometres in under 19 hours, taking on heavy rains, broken roads, and long highway
stretches — all in his Hyundai Exter AMT.
A 1,000+ km Journey Through Rain and Rough Roads
Starting from Bengaluru at 4:25 AM, the journey covered Bengaluru – Gokak – Belgaum – Davangere – Bengaluru, with short
breaks adding up to around 22 hours of total travel time. The owner clocked 1,030 km, spent ?6,000 on petrol (59 litres
@ ?102.86 per litre), and achieved an impressive 17.5 km/l mileage — a testament to the Exter’s fuel efficiency even in
Despite spending nearly 15 hours driving through continuous rain, the Exter held its composure. The owner praised the
car’s comfortable seating, high-speed stability, and confidence-inspiring ride quality, saying:
“The ride quality is really good. Even at triple-digit speeds, the car never felt out of control — maybe it’s the ESP
and other electronics working in the background.”
Smooth AMT, Chilling AC and Solid Comfort
He added that the AMT gearbox handled both highway and ghat sections “beautifully”, with paddle shifters proving
extremely useful for quick overtakes. The AC performance was another standout — “so effective that I had to raise the
temperature because it got too cold too quickly.”
Inside, the Exter easily accommodated four adults with luggage, maintaining comfort even on broken roads. The driver
summed it up well: “Apart from headlights, this is a gem of a car — comfortable, stable and fun to drive. The AMT tuning
is brilliant, and Hyundai’s reliability makes it perfect for long trips.”
Highway-Proven and Family-Approved
The owner also addressed questions about space and suspension performance, confirming that even with five passengers and
a full boot, the Exter handled the load effortlessly. “There’s more than enough clearance inside the wheel arch. I’ve
driven it loaded during my wedding trip — no issue with suspension at all.”
Having clocked over 11,500 km, with 9,500 km of those on highways, he confidently calls the Exter an “underrated
all-rounder” that can handle both city commutes and long hauls with ease. “You can cruise at 90-110 km/h comfortably
with good mileage and comfort for front and back seats. This is a city car that feels at home on highways too.”
A Compact SUV That Punches Above Its Class
While the owner noted that the stock headlights could be improved for night driving, he was quick to add that it’s a
minor issue in an otherwise well-rounded package. With features like ESP, paddle shifters, comfortable seats, and stable
dynamics, the Exter delivers a big-car experience in a compact, efficient package.