When carmakers perform silent operations on their products, the result is mostly an unwelcoming one for the consumer. For instance, variants get axed, or the list of features shortens. The latest recipient of a quiet rejigging is the Hyundai Creta, and the outcomes are not all bad. First, good developments. The 1.6-litre diesel engine is now available in the E+ and EX trims. However, the only transmission on offer in those iterations is the 6-speed manual.

Some might wonder why is that a right kind of development. Earlier, those who wanted the more powerful diesel motor under the Creta’s hood, they had to start at the SX trim. In other words, if those buyers were on a budget, they had to opt for either the petrol or the smaller diesel engine. It is worth pointing out that Creta’s S trim is still only available with the 1.4-litre diesel mill. The real point to ponder about is why Hyundai did not announce this.

Let’s move on to the other set of changes. Those who want Hyundai to fit their Creta with 17-inch alloy wheels will have to settle for the SX petrol-AT variant. Earlier, the larger wheels were also available with all variants in SX Dual Tone, SX (O) and SX (O) Executive trims. As you’d expect, this information pops up when we compare the older brochure with the latest one. However, there is still some discrepancy on this.

Another important feature that customers want in an SUV is an electric sunroof. In the Hyundai Creta, it is now limited to the SX petrol-AT variant and is no longer on offer with SX (O) and SX (O) Executive derivatives. There is no inconsistency here and neither on the last change – the availability of Hyundai’s Smart Key Band. The said gizmo is now on offer with only the SX diesel-AT variant. Before these changes came into effect, the band was available with the SX Dual Tone, SX (O) and SX (O) Executive iterations.

Why do you think Hyundai has made all of the above changes? The answer is simple – to widen Creta’s target audience. In India, Hyundai’s compact SUV competes with the Renault Captur, Nissan Kicks and the Kia Seltos. Bigger SUVs such as the MG Hector and the Tata Harrier also overlap prices of higher Creta variants.