Hyundai Grand i10 : Last week, as I was stuck in Bangalores unending traffic (again), I saw something interesting.
The vehicle beside me appeared to be my cousin’s Hyundai Grand i10, but there was something unusual about it.
Well, as it happens, Hyundai has just released the new model of their popular budget hatchback — and after a weekend with it, I can earnestly say they’ve really knocked it out of the park.
You know what’s funny about the Grand i10? This, after all, is the car that has taken Hyundai into millions of Indian households but Hyundai have never really allowed themselves the luxury of sitting back and congratulating themselves.
Where a lot of brands would have hedged their bets, here Hyundai continues to take risks, even at the lower end of the market.
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Hyundai Grand i10 This Is What’s Different About This Launch
I’ve driven both the old and new models and I can tell you the difference is more than skin itself.
It almost feels like they can’t top the successful recipe, doesn’t it?” Recall when everyone thought Hyundai couldn’t improve upon the winning formula?
And again, they’ve gone and proved us wrong. Out on the serpentine roads of Lonavala during my test drive, the new avatar of the Grand’ i10 seemed like it graduated driving school with flying colours.
The immediate standout was the steering response. It’s subtle, but you can tell that Hyundai engineers spent hundreds of hours tweaking every facet of the car.
My uncle, a Hyundai man for 15 years, detected it on the test drive right away: “It feels more connected to the road, but not harsh,” He concluded, succinctly capturing what I needed three traffic jams to say.
Hyundai Grand i10 Features That Actually Matter
Let’s discuss what matters to Indian buyers. The all-new Grand i10 comes with what make for not just a great car but also a great ad.
The air conditioning, for example, has been adjusted for Indian conditions. And after roasting in the 107-degree Delhi heat for two hours (thanks, traffic), the entire cabin was cool in precisely 7 minutes. I timed it out of misery.
Detail Test Car: The touchscreen infotainment system is worth noting. Unlike some rivals that include screens to sell more product, this one actually functions in an intelligent way.
Even my technology-challenged mother was able to navigate the Bluetooth pairing without needing to consult me once, and that is a miracle, let me tell you.
But what I most love: the steering-mounted controls are right where your thumbs land.
It may seem trivial, but on the warren-like roads of Mumbai, during neck-and-neck fights with two-wheeled traffic snakes, these small ergonomic triumphs matter hugely.
Hyundai Grand i10 The Mileage Game-Changer
Now, let’s get to what Indian buyers are most concerned about: fuel economy.
Over the course of my time with it on the ground – including city driving, highway cruising and enough jams to write a novel about patience – the Grand i10 returned numbers that were the sort to make my calculator-lovin’ dad grin.
Exercise a light foot and you can see 16.8 km/l, right in the city, in Bangalore’s start-stop traffic at 9.30 AM on a Monday morning; then on expressways (Mumbai-Pune) at legal speeds, the figure is closer to 21.2 km/l, while driven back-to-back I got an overall 18.7 km/l over 500 km.
For reference my neighbour’s competitive hatchback barely even does 14 km/l in this comparible situation.
The 1.2 liter engine has been tweaked for peformance without compromising efficiency.
Highway passing is still plenty confident, unlike some of the very fuel-efficient cars that I’ve tested where it feels like they’re apologizing at every press of the accelerator.
Hyundai Grand i10 Safety: No Compromises Here
This is where Hyundai is the more mature brand. Though most of the base cars overlook safety, this Grand i10 comes with twin airbags and ABS.
Greater trims will net you even more, but the base model comes with all the modern safety you would expect.
My safety-conscious sister-in-law was visiting recently, and she reads the crash test reports for fun; she marvelled at the build quality.
“The door panels are heavy, they are substantial, you have a sense that they can actually protect you,” she said, comparing their heft on a drive to the ones in “a handful of premium hatchbacks that feel like they are made out of tinfoil.”
Hyundai Grand i10 Pricing That Doesn’t Pinch
At ₹5.9 lakh for the base variant, which drives all the way up to ₹8.3 lakh for the top-spec model (prices are ex-showroom, Delhi), Hyundai has succeeded in treading the tightrope.
They have somehow been able to add features without increasing their price past the point of consideration.
I went to several dealer checks, and the universal should was a shock. Buyers weren’t considering the price difference against the cost of the previous generation, they were just looking at it in comparison to their competitors.
A prospective buyer in Pune told me, “For ₹30,000 more than the base Maruti Swift, I’m getting features for which I’d have to shell out ₹70,000 more in the segment-topping model in that segment.”
Hyundai Grand i10 What Buyers Are Saying
Interesting responses from the folks at the dealerships when I visited there.
The connected car features excited a young professional based in Noida: “I can start the AC from my office, so the car’s cool when I leave at 6 PM.”
For a retired army officer, this car has some sturdy ones: “These Korean cars are a lot different than they used to be. Solid as a tank, but a hell of a lot easier to park!”
The best feedback came from present Grand i10 owners looking to upgrade. They weren’t just balancing new features; they were considering the track record of their current car for reliability.
“Routine maintenance visits are all that my 2019 model has gone for,” said a Mumbai-based entrepreneur. “I’m not going to switch brands now?
Hyundai Grand i10 The Reality Check
Let’s face it — there is no such thing as a perfect car. The new Grand i10 also has its oddities. And those rear AC vents are a welcome addition but maybe should blow a bit harder.
The boot at 260 litres is still sufficient but not best in class. And if you’re over 6 feet, the driver’s seat may be a little tight on long trips.
But these are small complaints in an otherwise fantastic package. The Grand i10 doesn’t pretend to be something that it isn’t.
India’s most practical hatchback – that delivers high on reliability, space and features – is still just a car that has managed not to—and doesn’t—disappoint.
Hyundai Grand i10 Looking Forward
At the end of my series of test drives across various cities, I had one recurring thought: few know Indian roads and Indian buyers as well as Hyundai does.
They’ve built a car that’s not just a conveyance for people — it’s something that’s going to make budget-conscious families feel as though they’ve found a new driving experience.
The new Grand i10 is evolution rather than revolution. Sometimes that’s exactly what the market needs.
At a time of flamboyant S.U.V.s and expensive sedans, there is something refreshing about a brand that cares about getting the basics exactly right.
Whether this gambit pays off will depend on how Indian buyers respond to it. But according to the early response I’ve seen, Hyundai may have another smash on its hands.
FAQ
Q: What is the mileage of Hyundai Grand i10?
A: The Grand i10 gives a fuel average of around 16-17 km/l in city and 20 km/l+ on highways based on real-life testing. Taken together, it should return about 18-19 km/l.
Q: What are the prominent changes in the new Grand i10?
A: New additions are touch screen infotainment with smart phone connectivity, better AC, 2 airbags now standard, steering mounted controls, more cabin space..
Q: What is the price of new Grand i10?
A: The new Grand i10 is priced between ₹5.9 lakh and ₹8.3 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) for the entry-level and top-end models.
Q: I am a tall drive, is Grand i10 good for tall drivers?
A: The car is wide enough to comfortably accommodate most Indian body sizes but drivers over 6 feet may start to feel hemmed in during long drives. A test drive is recommended.
Q: How does it fare vis-a-vis competitors such as Maruti Swift?
A:Yes, more features in the Grand i10 at every level A. //! So while the Swift is sportier in its feel, the Grand i10 offers more bang for the buck in terms of features.
Q: What are the engine options?
A: The Grand i10 is available in a 1.2-litre 82 HP/114 Nm petrol engine with 5-speed manual/automatic gearbox.
Q: Is a diesel version available?
A: At present, Hyundai only sells the petrol version of the Grand i10, in line with the market trends and more stringent emission standards.
Q: How much boot space is there?
A: There’s the 260 litres boot space of the Grand i10 that is sufficient for a typical urban family but it’s not the largest in the segment.
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