TL; DR
- The 2026 Hyundai Exter facelift launches at ₹5.79 lakh with 25 upgrades spanning design, cabin tech, comfort, and safety features.
- Key interior additions include a 12.9-inch infotainment screen with AAOS, a segment-first dashcam, metal pedals, and a folding driver armrest.
- The 1.2-litre 4-cylinder Kappa engine carries over unchanged, with deliveries expected to begin in the first week of April 2026.
After months of being spotted in spy shots and testing on the busy roads of India, the 2026 Exter has officially broken cover in all its glory. The mini-Venue is now available from ₹5.79 lakhs, and it comes with a few much-needed additions in the interiors and the exteriors, but no changes under the hood.
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2026 Hyundai Exter: Variant-Wise Pricing
The 2026 Exter starts from Rs. 5.79 lakhs (ex-showroom) for the baseline HX 2 trim (same naming as the new Venue), which is slightly higher than the outgoing version’s base variant. The entry-level CNG variant costs Rs. 6.99 lakhs (ex-showroom), while the petrol paired with an AMT transmission costs Rs. 6.90 lakhs (ex-showroom).
The top variant — HX 10 — is only available in the petrol AMT trim, while the petrol manual and CNG manual are limited to the HX 8 variant.
| Variant | Petrol MT | Petrol AMT | CNG MT |
|---|---|---|---|
| HX 2 | ₹5,79,900 | — | ₹6,99,900 |
| HX 3 | ₹6,23,900 | ₹6,90,900 | ₹7,43,900 |
| HX 4 | ₹7,21,900 | — | ₹8,26,900 |
| HX 4+ | — | ₹8,05,900 | — |
| HX 6 | ₹7,94,900 | ₹8,54,900 | ₹8,93,900 |
| HX 8 | ₹8,35,900 | ₹9,07,900 | ₹9,40,900 |
| HX 10 | — | ₹9,41,900 | — |
Customers can book the new Exter for Rs 11,000 through Hyundai dealerships across India or via the company’s online platform. The deliveries should begin by the first week of April, since the price and variants are all out.
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2026 Hyundai Exter: Design
Hyundai claims that the new Exter gets 25 improvements across its design, technology (the cabin features), comfort, and safety.
On the front, the 2026 Exter gets a revised bumper with a wider stance, updated styling, and a new center garnish. To me, the Exter’s front bumper now resembles that of the new-generation Venue (has the same rectangular grill openings).
On the side, you get new R15 diamond-cut alloy wheels, which, honestly, look so much better than the ones on the current generation Exter. Furthermore, the car gets more pronounced wheel arch cladding. Hyundai also highlights how it retains the title of the tallest SUV and the one with the longest wheelbase in the segment.
The rear profile is characterised by wing-type spoilers at the top (which look a tad too much), an updated tailgate design (which doesn’t look very different to me), and a revised C-pillar garnish. Hyundai could have added the connected rear tail lamps (similar to those on the Punch), but it has retained the H-shaped LED taillights at the back.
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| Hyundai Exter 2026 | Tata Punch 2026 | Renault Kiger 2026 | Nissan Magnite 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 3,830 mm | 3,876 mm | 3,990 mm | 3,994 mm |
| Width | 1,723 mm | 1,742 mm | 1,750 mm | 1,758 mm Widest |
| Height | 1,643 mm | 1,615 mm | 1,605 mm | 1,572 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,450 mm | 2,445 mm | 2,500 mm | 2,500 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 185 mm | 187 mm | 205 mm | 205 mm |
| Fuel Tank | 37 litres | 37 litres | 40 litres | 40 litres |
| Colours | Titan Grey, Atlas White, Starry Night, Titanium Black, Ranger Khaki, Golden Bronze, Titanium Black Matte, Ranger Khaki with Black Roof | Pristine White, Coorg Clouds, Caramel, Bengal Rouge, Cyantific Blue, Blade Silver | Oasis Yellow, Shadow Grey, Caspian Blue, Ice Cool White, Moonlight Silver, Stealth Black, Radiant Red | Pearl White, Storm White, Onyx Black, Blade Silver, Grey Metallic, Flare Garnet Red, Sunrise Copper Orange |
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2026 Hyundai Exter: Interiors
Some of the new changes are on the inside of the car as well. For instance, the automaker now offers a dual-tone Navy and Gray interior theme, with a 3D carbon-attern dashboard finish, a D-cut steering wheel (similar to the Venue), and a digital instrument cluster (similar to the outgoing model).
There are a couple of additions for the driver as well, which include metal pedals, a folding armrest (integrated in the front seat), driver seat height adjustment (standard across all variants), and improved ergonomics throughout.
The size of the instrument and infotainment cluster is 9.9 inches and 12.9 inches, respectively. Speaking of the infotainment system, it supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 300+ embedded voice commands (work without internet), 60+ Bluelink connected car features, and OTA updates for maps and infotainment.
From what it sounds like, the early rumors about Exter’s facelift featuring Google’s Android Automotive Operating System (AAOS) were true. Additional features include an electric sunroof, a new Type-C USB port for rear passengers (with fast charging), an integrated dashcam, and adjustable rear headrests (standard).
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However, to my dismay, the company still doesn’t provide a rear armrest in the car.
2026 Hyundai Exter: Powertrain Options & Safety Features
The Exter continues with a 1.2-litre 4-cylinder Kappa petrol engine with both manual and AMT options — Hyundai claims it is the only SUV in its segment to offer a 4-cylinder engine. However, what the company doesn’t say is that it doesn’t offer a turbo-petrol engine option.
| Specification | Petrol | CNG (Bi-fuel) |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.2 L Kappa petrol | 1.2 L Bi-fuel Kappa petrol with CNG |
| Cylinders | 4-cylinder | 4-cylinder |
| CNG tank setup | — | Dual-cylinder setup |
| Transmission | 5-speed Manual / AMT | 5-speed Manual only |
| Spare tyre | Standard (boot-mounted) | Underbody mounted (standard) |
| Boot space | 391 litres | 225 litres (usable) |
Safety remains a strong focus — the Exter now offers more than 45 advanced safety features with 30 as standard across all variants, including 6 airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and Hill Start Assist (HAC).
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