The miracle Hyundai Creta that survived the 2025 Silvermine fires

The South African

06-05-2025

My review of the Hyundai Creta 1.5 Executive IVT Matte Edition is unlike any road test I've ever written. Due to a conurbation of totally surreal circumstances, this must be one of the most remarkable car reviews ever committed to the internet …
On Friday 25 April, a fire broke out on the slopes of Table Mountain National Park. By Sunday the 27th, it was well contained above the Tokai forest. So much so that our weekly hike into Silvermine Nature Reserve appeared totally doable.
The weather forecast for the day was warm, with a light wind coming out of the North West. Fantastic. The only discussion that morning was whether a surf session at Muizenberg might be the better option, given the favourable wind. My gosh, if only we'd gone surfing … A view of Silvermine Nature Reserve looking West from Noordhoek Peak. Image: Ray Leathern
By 08h30, my wife and I parked the Hyundai Creta 1.5 Executive test car in the Silvermine dam parking lot. Little did we know, but every small decision we were making would prove fateful. The morning sun was bright, so I opted to park the Hyundai with its nose pointing South East to avoid the glare as we got ready.
As my wife and I hiked Silvermine's 'inside loop' to Dragon's Passage, the wind steadily picked up. Much stronger than the forecast had suggested. In just 45 minutes the lone smoulder from the Tokai side had developed into a solid plume of smoke.
Rather than head towards the fire and smoke, we decided to cut our loses and double-back on the Silvermine Jeep track for the parking lot. However, a mere 45-minutes later, by the time we'd reached roughly the Noordhoek lookout point on the way down, we knew we were in big trouble … The adrenaline-fuelled mountain evacuation was merely a precursor to a sleepless night on Sunday as the fire marched its way down. Image: Ray Leathern
Fanned by the fire's own devil winds, in just 90 minutes the entire middle section from Tokai to the cliffs above Noordhoek had gone up like a tinderbox. Thick black clouds of smoke shrouded the sun and our route back to the carpark was well and truly blocked. I could only assume the fresh blackness in the sky were cars burning in the parking lot …
At this point, my wife and I realised our Sunday hike had just been extended, maybe indefinitely. We'd have to make our way down the steep and treacherous 'saddle' to Chapman's Peak, conserving what water and food we had left. En route, we came upon a SANParks bakkie that had been abandoned with the keys in the ignition. This was an ominous feeling about the fate of the Hyundai Creta left in the carpark. Even the park rangers were on foot making good their escape …
Over the next 36 hours, approximately 3 000 hectares of vegetation burned savagely in the Silvermine, Ou Kaapse Weg , Noordhoek, Muizenberg and Clovelly regions. Truthfully, seeing the extent of the fire, I had little hope for the Hyundai Creta. Even though it was a long weekend, I contacted the manufacturer to tell them of the macabre misadventure. Any vehicles parked on the North Western fire line stood no chance against the blaze. Image: Ray Leathern
A sleepless night ensued as we watched the fire march steadily down the mountainside towards our house. However, mercifully, a thick fog bank rolled in on Monday morning. The fire still burned, but the damp atmosphere at least stopped the threat of burning embers spreading spot fires.
However, the relief was short-lived. In the meantime, images of burned-out cars in the Silvermine car park had started circulating on social media. One vehicle in particular (pictured above) had a worryingly similar profile to the Hyundai Creta. My heart sank. The only way to tell would be to get back into the reserve when the roads reopened and it was safe to do so.
I contacted the fire department who, understandably, had their hands full fighting the fires. However, by Monday afternoon, one fire marshal I got hold of suggested I simply explain my plight to the traffic department so they could let me go up. Instinct told me to hurry up there right away … Against a still-pungent orange haze in the air, the matte-finish Hyundai Creta sits serenely untouched as we leave the reserve. Authorities put up razor wire to keep others from entering. Image: Ray Leathern
We drove up the still-shut Ou Kaapse Weg , fresh embers smouldering on either side. The Silvermine gate was open so we simply drove in. Purely by chance, the Lakeside Fire Department had already collected a bunch of vehicle owners and they were surveying the damage just as we arrived. If we had driven up at any other time would have found the reserve fenced off with razor wire.
We drove past at least half-a-dozen vehicles. Some burnt almost beyond recognition. While others were able to drive out but would almost certainly be junked by the insurers once the repair costs were tallied. And then, miraculously, there was the Hyundai Creta 1.5 Executive IVT Matte Edition. As if protected by a lone teardrop from an angel, it sat untouched in its parking bay with destruction all around.
Bless her, my wife balled uncontrollably, as if releasing all the stress of the preceding 48 hours. Or perhaps it was the sheer relief of knowing we didn't need to replace our IDs, bank cards and her cellphone, which she'd innocently left in the cubbyhole. Back safe a sound off the mountain, with quite the story to tell, too. Image: Ray Leathern
Despite finding the Hyundai Creta completely untouched, the mood was still somber and eerie. Like the fire had sucked all the life force out of the area. We were also sympathetic to the others we hadn't been so lucky. As mentioned, the decision to park on the South Eastern side of parking lot had proven fateful.
The few metres of gravel parking lot between the fire and the Hyundai was all it took to keep the vehicle safe. All cars that burned irreparably were on the North West side of the fire line. I'm not going to take any credit for this split-second choice. But it's something I will never forget and will probably bore people with for years to come recounting the story.
Likewise, I don't think the Hyundai Creta's unique matte paint job should be underestimated. I cannot find any definitive evidence online that suggests a matte paint finish deflects heat better. But I think we may have just proven that it does! The very concept of matte versus metallic paint is that it reflects and diffuses light to provide a unique look. Could that have been the difference? The Matte Edition's unique ice-cool paintwork must have played a pivotal role in protecting it in 1 000°C heat. Image: Ray Leathern
According to the City of Cape Town, wildfires typically surpass 1 000°C in temperature, with orange to red flames reaching as high as 2 000°C. I would never have believed it, but I think the matte finish to the Hyundai Creta 1.5 played a pivotal role in protecting it. Honestly, I think Hyundai should immediately retire this car from their test fleet and put it in a museum somewhere.
And as for the rest of the road test? Well, the ins and outs of handling, ride quality, interior practicality and fuel economy kind of take a backseat when the car survives a near-death experience. All I can say is I drove it back down the mountain, and in that moment it felt like the best car in the world. A car, quite literally, Touched by an Angel . Hyundai Creta 1.5 Executive IVT Matte Edition
Price: R524 900
R524 900 Engine: 1.5-litre, 4-cyl, petrol
1.5-litre, 4-cyl, petrol Transmission: CVT
CVT Power: 84 kW and 144 Nm
84 kW and 144 Nm Fuel consumption: 6.5 l/100 km
6.5 l/100 km Performance: 11.5 seconds / top speed n/a
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