Mumbai is the city of dreams and one that never sleeps. It’s a city where taking a break can mean many things: actually resting, strolling through the city, or visiting iconic places in iconic cars. For our break, we chose the last option, as it promised the most fun. We decided to spend a night exploring the city to see what the city that never rests truly has to offer.
As a resident of New Delhi, I rarely get to visit Mumbai, and even when I do, it’s usually for work. This trip allowed me to explore the city, especially in the evening, when street lamps, illuminated buildings, and city lights bring out a very different charm. Helping me explore was my dear friend Kurt, a resident of this ever-hustling city, and our ride for the night was the Hyundai Creta Electric.
Why did we choose an electric vehicle? The answer is as simple as it seems. The Creta Electric builds heavily on two trusted brand names — Hyundai and Creta — which means confidence, reassurance, and dependability come baked into the package. Adding to this is the electric drivetrain, offering zero tailpipe emissions and near-silent operation, both of which help curb rising air and noise pollution in a city like Mumbai.
Kurt had only experienced the internal combustion engine (ICE) Creta until now and swears by it. He has always believed the Creta to be unrivalled in its segment. Naturally, he was keen to explore what the future holds with the electric version of his favourite car. Having experienced the petrol and diesel variants, it felt surreal for him when I handed over the keys to the Creta Electric.
Our evening began with a fully charged Creta Electric and a sunset near the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, its Fiery Red paint glistening in the golden light. It felt like the perfect backdrop to begin a journey spent chasing street lamps and glowing buildings in a city that never truly winds down.
Kurt first drove us north towards Bandra and the Bandra-Kurla Complex to showcase Mumbai’s expansive business district and its premium nightlife scene. It was the ideal setting to experience the comfort and luxury that the Creta Electric offers. Bandra, home to many of the country’s biggest celebrities, felt like a natural habitat for the Creta.
What surprised Kurt was how familiar yet different the cabin felt compared to the ICE Creta. That, perhaps, is the Creta Electric’s biggest strength. It feels futuristic while remaining grounded enough to make the transition to electric mobility easy and unintimidating.
Despite the familiarity, there was a noticeable increase in perceived luxury. The Grey and Navy interior tones lent the cabin a more upmarket feel than the ICE version, which is already quite premium. The floating centre console also stood out, housing the cupholders, drive-mode knob, electronic parking brake, and Kurt’s favourite feature — ventilated front seats.
The sense of premiumness was further enhanced by the eco-friendly leatherette upholstery, the new steering wheel with the Hyundai logo in Morse code, and the steering column-mounted drive selector. These are unique to the electric version and add meaningfully to the overall experience.
As we drove through Bandra and BKC, Kurt began appreciating the silent nature of the drive. In a city filled with honking and constant urgency, the Creta Electric changed his perception of navigating traffic. He also appreciated the strong acceleration from the front-mounted motor, which produces 169 bhp and 26 kgm of torque in the long-range variant. The 0–100 kph sprint of 7.9 seconds makes overtakes and signal-to-signal bursts feel effortless.
As the sun slipped further below the horizon, our appreciation for the Creta Electric continued to rise. Until then, we hadn’t even checked the battery’s state of charge or remaining range. As we drove, we shared stories of long drives in our respective Cretas. Kurt was surprised to hear that I had managed a Noida-to-Agra round trip without needing to recharge. That sparked an idea he was keen on — a Pune run — though I wasn’t quite ready to give up the keys so easily.
Frankly, the Creta Electric gets under your skin. It encourages a carefree, relaxed driving style without the constant anxiety often associated with EVs. Kurt was particularly impressed by the regenerative braking system, and his left leg quickly warmed to the benefits of one-pedal driving in dense traffic.
Hunger eventually took over, and Kurt knew just the place. We headed to Bademiya in Colaba for kebabs and rolls, a fitting mid-journey indulgence. The Creta Electric, meanwhile, continued unfazed, having used very little of its battery.
After dinner, Kurt relinquished the driver’s seat, and I suggested he enjoy being a passenger for a change. That’s when I introduced him to a feature he hadn’t expected — Boss Mode. A discreet adjustment of his seat later, he was comfortably settled.
With both of us deep into a post-dinner food coma, Kurt briefly worried about the late-night drive ahead. His concern faded when I explained that the Level 2 ADAS suite acts as a constant safety net. Tuned specifically for Indian conditions, it operates seamlessly in the background without feeling intrusive.
As night turned into dawn, we parked at a spot perfect for watching the sunrise and reflected on the night gone by. What began after a tiring work week ended with both of us feeling refreshed. Range anxiety never entered the equation, and the battery management impressed throughout.
The Creta Electric feels like the future, but one rooted in familiarity, reliability, and trust. It allows you to embrace electric mobility without feeling like you’ve left everything you know behind. For anyone still sitting on the fence, the Hyundai Creta Electric makes a compelling case as the next step forward.
