Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) on Thursday declared Hyundai Creta as Nigeria Car of the Year 2018, ahead of Japanese Toyota Corolla and Chinese GA3, both of which made final nomination list.
NAJA made the announcement during its annual awards night held on Thursday at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.
In his response, managing director of Stallion Motors Nigeria Limited (HMNL), Parvir Singh thanked the organisers for putting up the award and for finding the Hyundai Creta worthy for the COTY award.
He promised that the company will continue to uphold the integrity which the company has been known for, while contributing positively for the Nigeria Auto industry.
Nigerian Car of the year is one of the series of awards bestowed on the Creta since it took the world by storm in 2016. In India, after winning the SUV of the Year, the new Hyundai Creta fought off competition from major car brands to win India Car of the Year Award 2016.
Journey to 2018 NAJA Awards started with nomination of finalists by a jury members of Nigerian Auto Journalists Association.
While the eventual winners emerged from a voting session participated in by NAJA members.
Creta, an SUV that features a commanding presence with its edgy design theme and a neatly designed cabin that gets all the necessary goodies you would expect from a premium SUV, was launched into the Nigerian market early 2016.
But before cruising into 2017, it went through some minor updates. To pump the volume of favour it enjoyed in Asia and African market, Creta returned with a bolder, cascading grille with a chrome bezel; a new front bumper with a dual-tone finish and bigger skid plates. Its fog lamps were also redesigned with C-shaped LED daytime running light surrounds.
Unlike the 2016 model, latest model of the award winning Creta comes with lower-profile roof rails.
Although the shape of its tail lamp remains unchanged, it now includes LED detailing.  Its reflectors have also been repositioned on the re-profiled bumper.
Creta’s Leather upholstery is matched with a similarly-trimmed multifunction steering wheel that includes audio-, driver info menu and newly added cruise control toggles. The side mirrors fold electrically, the rear-view mirror dips automatically.
Other features include rear park assist with a reverse-view camera, dual front-, side- and curtain airbags and ABS with EBD, while aft occupants benefit from ISOfix child seat anchorage points, separate ventilation outlets, a pair of cupholders in the armrest and a 60:40-split seatback.
The Creta’s multifunction steering wheel now includes a toggle for the cruise control function.
Front suspension of the latest Creta comes with an increased caster angle, just as rear damper geometries have been adjusted, for “smoother high-speed travel” and “increased lever ratio” respectively. But what has not changed are its  engine and transmission, which include 90 kW/150 Nm 1.6-litre petrol with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic and a 94 kW/260 Nm 1.6-litre turbodiesel – automatic only.
