2023 Hyundai Creta vs Volkswagen T-Cross Comparison: Spec Sheet Battle

Updated Dec 22, 2022

Korean vs German crossover battle.

In this article...

  1. Subcompact crossover match-up
  2. Exterior
  3. Interior
  4. Engine
  5. Safety
  6. Price
  7. Conclusion

2023 Hyundai Creta vs Volkswagen T-Cross: Subcompact crossover match-up

Hyundai’s re-entry into the Philippines market under new management has also brought along with it several new models. One of these is the Hyundai Creta. 

The all-new 2023 Hyundai Creta

The Creta is the marque’s entry into the ever-competitive subcompact crossover market. It promises to provide a comfy ride, whilst being compact enough to deal with tight city roads.  

But how does it compare specs-wise to what Volkswagen is offering? Specifically, the T-Cross? 

To find out, we’ll be comparing the Hyundai Creta GLS 1.5 IVT against the Volkswagen T-Cross SE 1.5 AT with AID. Both are the top-spec variants of their respective models, and both are positioned within the Php 1.3 million price range.

2023 Hyundai Creta vs Volkswagen T-Cross: Exterior

To start, let’s compare their dimensions. For the all-new Hyundai Creta, it is 4,315mm long, 1,790mm wide, and 1,630mm wide. Its wheelbase then spans 2,610mm, and it has a ground clearance of 200mm. 

The Creta from the front

For the Volkswagen T-Cross, it is 4,218mm long, 1,760mm wide, and 1,599mm in height. It then has a wheelbase length of 2,651mm, and it has a ground clearance of 185mm.  

Hyundai Creta GLS 1.5 IVT 

Dimensions 

Volkswagen T-Cross SE 180 MPI AT w/ AID 

4,315mm 

Length 

4,218mm 

1,790mm 

Width 

1,760mm 

1,630mm 

Height 

1,599mm 

2,610mm 

Wheelbase 

2,651mm 

200mm 

Ground clearance 

185mm 

To sum it up, the Hyundai is a fair bit larger overall compared to the Volkswagen. It also has a bit more ground clearance. The Volkswagen T-Cross, on the other hand, does have a slightly longer wheelbase. 

For exterior equipment, both do have LED headlamps, LED daytime running lamps, and LED taillights. The Hyundai however does come with automatic light control while the Volkswagen does not. 

The Volkswagen T-Cross

Furthermore, both also have power-folding side mirrors, a roof-mounted rear spoiler, as well as roof rails. The Volkswagen does come with front fog lamps, while the Hyundai does not. Moreover, the T-Cross SE also gets a sunroof which isn’t present on the Hyundai model. 

For wheels, the Hyundai Creta’s top-spec variant rides on a set of 17-inch alloy wheels that come with a two-tone color scheme. The T-Cross meanwhile also uses a 17-inch alloy wheel set.  

Hyundai Creta GLS 1.5 IVT 

Exterior equipment 

Volkswagen T-Cross SE 180 MPI AT w/ AID 

LED 

Headlamps 

LED 

With 

Headlight auto-leveling 

None 

With 

Daytime running lamps 

With 

None 

Front fog lamps 

With 

LED 

Taillights 

LED 

With 

Roof rails 

With 

17-inch 

Wheels size 

17-inch 

Alloy 

Wheel type 

Alloy 

2023 Hyundai Creta vs Volkswagen T-Cross: Interior

On the inside, both models can seat up to five occupants. Both also provide a push-to-start button, a manually adjustable driver’s seat, and cruise control.

The top-spec Creta and top-spec T-Cross also have digital gauge clusters. In the case of the T-Cross, it is dubbed as the active information display. As far as functionality goes, both can display a myriad of relevant driving information.

The Creta's cockpit

Back to the seats though, the top-spec Creta uses full leather covers whereas the top-spec T-Cross uses a combination of leather and fabric.  

Hyundai Creta GLS 1.5 IVT 

Interior equipment 

Volkswagen T-Cross SE 180 MPI AT  w/AID

Leather 

Seat material 

Leather and fabric 

Manual 

Driver’s seat adjustment 

Manual 

Tilt and telescopic 

Steering wheel adjustment 

Tilt 

Automatic 

Air-conditioning type 

Manual 

Push-button 

Ignition 

Push-button 

Seat capacity 

Moreover, the Creta provides a tilt and telescopic steering column while the T-Cross only has a tilt-only. The Hyundai also gets a more advanced automatic climate control system, while the T-Cross comes with a manual air-conditioning system.  

For entertainment, the Hyundai Creta’s top-spec GLS IVT trim comes standard with an eight-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and USB connectivity.  

A peek inside the Volkswagen T-Cross

In turn, the Volkswagen T-Cross SE gets a 9.2-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth and Apple Carplay.  

Both are linked to a four-piece speaker system. However, while the T-Cross gets a larger headunit, the one on the Creta has more connectivity options. 

Furthermore, the Creta also provides a wireless smartphone charging pad, while the T-Cross does not. Both though, do have USB charging ports spread inside their interiors.  

Hyundai Creta GLS 1.5 IVT 

On-board tech 

Volkswagen T-Cross SE 180 MPI AT w/AID 

8-inch touchscreen 

Infotainment 

9.2-inch touchscreen 

Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, USB 

Connectivity options 

Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, USB 

# of speakers 

With 

Power folding side mirrors 

With 

With 

Wireless charging 

None 

2023 Hyundai Creta vs Volkswagen T-Cross: Engine

For engines, the Creta uses a 1.5-liter inline-4 gasoline engine. At the most, this four-banger can make up to 111 horsepower and 144 Nm of torque. It then uses Hyundai’s intelligent variable transmission (IVT) sending power to its front wheels. The said transmission can be controlled manually using paddle shifters. 

The Creta's 1.5-liter Slipstream inline-4 gasoline engine

In turn, the T-Cross is propelled by a 1.5-liter engine that makes 113 horsepower and 145 Nm of torque. It is also front-wheel-drive, and it uses a six-speed automatic gearbox.  

So when horsepower is concerned, the Creta and the T-Cross have nearly identical outputs. The difference between the two is marginal. 

Concerning suspensions, both models use a MacPherson strut for the front and a torsion-beam type suspension for the rear. The one on the Hyundai though, is a coupled torsion beam type suspension. 

The T-Cross' 1.5-liter inline-4 gasoline engine

For braking, both models come with disc brakes for all four wheels. The Creta does have an electronic parking brake with an auto-hold function, while the T-Cross has a hand-operated manual parking brake.  

Hyundai Creta GLS 1.5 IVT 

Mechanical specs 

Volkswagen T-Cross SE 180 MPI AT w/AID 

Inline-4 gasoline 

Engine 

Inline-4 gasoline 

1.5-liters 

Displacement 

1.5-liters 

Intelligent variable transmission 

Transmission 

7-speed automatic 

111

Horsepower 

113 

144 Nm 

Torque 

145Nm 

FWD 

Drivetrain 

FWD 

2023 Hyundai Creta vs Volkswagen T-Cross: Safety

For safety, the Creta gets two airbags while the T-Cross has a total of six airbags. Both do come with anti-lock braking with electronic brake-force distribution, stability control, traction control, ISOFIX child seat tethers, a tire-pressure monitor, an engine immobilizer, and a security alarm. 

The Creta has autonomous emergency braking

The T-Cross however, does not have blindspot monitoring, driver attention warning, forward collision avoidance assist, and lane follow assist which are all present on the Hyundai. Both do have hill-start assist.  

Hyundai Creta GLS 1.5 IVT 

Safety equipment 

Volkswagen T-Cross SE 180 MPI AT w/AID 

Airbags 

With 

Anti-lock braking w/EBD 

With 

With 

Reverse camera 

With 

With 

Cruise control 

With 

With 

Hill-start assist 

With 

With 

Stability control 

With 

With 

ISOFIX 

With 

With 

Driver attention warning 

None 

With 

Blind-spot detection 

None 

With 

Emergency braking 

None 

2023 Hyundai Creta vs Volkswagen T-Cross: Price

Hyundai Creta Variants 

Price 

Creta GL 1.5 MT 

Php 998,000 

Creta GL 1.5 IVT 

Php 1,170,000 

Creta GLS 1.5 IVT 

Php 1,332,000 

Volkswagen T-Cross Variants 

Price 

T-Cross S 180 MPI AT 

Php 1,098,000 

T-Cross SE 180 MPI AT w/AID

Php 1,340,000 

2023 Hyundai Creta vs Volkswagen T-Cross: Conclusion

When power output is concerned, both the Hyundai Creta and Volkswagen T-Cross aren’t that different from each other. One can expect though that the Hyundai IVT on the Creta and the automatic tranny on the T-Cross will provide a vastly different driving feel.  

The Creta from the rear

For on-board features though, the Creta gets better connectivity options for its touchscreen. It also has a better climate control system, and it has more leather for its seats.  

Concerning safety, it’s a mixed bag. The Volkswagen model has more airbags, but the Creta has more driver assist features.  

A view of the T-Cross from the rear

To this end, one should give each vehicle a good old test drive. And for the safety kit in particular, it depends on what you prioritize. Do you need more crash safety, or do you need more features to keep you from crashing in the first place? 

For more car comparisons like this, keep it here on Philkotse

Cesar G.B. Miguel

Author

Cesar Guiderone B. Miguel was born and raised in Iligan City, Lanao Del Norte. He graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in English degree from Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology. He previously worked as a freelance writer for various websites, as a member of the Iligan City Disaster Risk Reduction Management's training staff, and as a medical sales representative.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goridus.goridus

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