The biggest crowd-puller for Hyundai at the Auto Expo 2020 was the all-new Creta. The fact that Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan was present during the unveiling ceremony helped the count of onlookers grow multifold. On a more serious note, the second-gen Creta is Hyundai’s most important product launch this year. And now, we have a confirmed date. The SUV will gain a price list on March 17, 2020. Expect Hyundai to commence accepting bookings for it in a couple of weeks.

What we couldn’t get to see at the biennial auto show was the interior of the new Creta. Now, however, we have some reference to paint a picture in our heads. Hyundai has released a few design sketches of the SUV’s interior. The first thing that catches the eye is the sporty-looking, flat-bottomed, multifunction steering wheel. Behind it is an LED-infused instrument cluster, while the centre section of the dual-tone dashboard boasts a large touchscreen infotainment system. Even the seats feature a two-colour treatment and get quilted base and back. And between the front seats is an armrest as well. That could very well hide a cooled storage space underneath.

Hyundai is mum about the Creta’s complete list of features. That said, we do know that gizmos like a wireless mobile charger, panoramic sunroof, BlueLink 1.5 connected car tech, cruise control, automatic climate control and rain-sensing wipers will be on offer. Features like LED DRLs, 17-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, auto-dimming IRVM, auto-headlamps, ventilated seats, support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and auto-folding ORVMs should make the cut as well.

In the powertrains department, the Creta might borrow some, if not all, options from the Kia Seltos. That includes two 113bhp, 1.5-litre engines (one diesel and petrol each) and a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol producing 138bhp. With the Seltos, all three power-plants come mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. Those in need for a two-pedal setup get the option of a CVT with the 1.5-litre petrol, a 6-speed torque converter with the 1.5-litre diesel and a 7-speed DCT with the 1.4-litre mill.

Once launched, the Creta will not only rival its step-sibling (Kia Seltos) but also lock horns with the Nissan Kicks and the Renault Captur. The competition will get fiercer next year with the introduction of the Volkswagen Taigun and the production version of the Skoda Vision IN.