Test drove the Creta N-Line: 5 observations compared to Creta & Seltos

The other strong contender is the Seltos X line but don't really want headaches of maintaining the matte paint.

BHPian Col Mehta recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Test drove the Creta N line and here are a few observations -

• Ride comfort and suspension: Not as plush as the regular Creta and there is an underlying firmness in low speeds and undulations. But it's not uncomfortable or unsettling. High-speed stability has become better though (we didn't drive too fast, but at 70 plus, the car didn't disappoint). We found it similar to the FL Seltos, however, the regular Creta remains the segment best when it comes to riding comfort in city driving conditions.
• Steering: First thing first - the N steering wheel looks and feels superb. I had reservations initially, but you really have to experience it in person. Coming to functionality, it's heavier than the regular Creta, but thankfully not too heavy in normal mode. The sport mode makes it very heavy which will make things too cumbersome during parking and low speeds - this mode is best suited for highway/high-speed runs. Overall, the steering is well-calibrated and functions as expected.
• Performance: Very similar to the FL Seltos. Still find it laggy in lower gears and can be a little jerky in city traffic when the gearbox is jumping between 1st and 2nd gear. There is a good punch in the mid-range which is enjoyable. Couldn't test the high-speed performance for now, but you can sense that the car has plenty of power to offer. Just wish the low-speed drivability was similar to the NA IVT, which is just butter smooth.
• Exterior: One word - GORGEOUS in the shadow grey color! Just get rid of the red accents and you are sorted. Well, that's my opinion, some might not agree, just like most in our family who are fine with them. The car looks bigger than the regular Creta, thanks to the redesigned front grill and the added spoiler. The Seltos was always the best-looking car in the segment, but not anymore IMHO.
• Interior: The all-black interior theme is not my type. It makes the cabin feel claustrophobic. Some perceive it as premium though, which is fine - personal choice. This is where the Seltos X line excels with its sage green interior which looks so much better than the Seltos GT line and the Creta N line. Interestingly though, the N line interior doesn't feel as cramped as the Seltos GT line. Most likely because of bigger windows and a better sense of cabin space in the Creta, which has always been its USP over the Seltos and it continues with the N line as well.

While I'm not entirely happy with the overall interior quality (that cheap center console and ancient-looking HVAC) and with the black interior which does feel claustrophobic, we are overall happy with the car and seriously considering it over the regular Creta and the Seltos GT line. The other strong contender is the Seltos X line but don't really want the headaches of maintaining the matte paint. I think I will happily get the X line if it comes with color options other than matte. Kia is missing a great trick by not offering more options in the X line, which is bewildering and frustrating.

In case it's going to be the Creta N line, it will have to be in the shadow grey paintwork!

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