The updated Grand i10 and its new sedan sibling replace the discontinued Atos as the most affordable product range in Hyundai South Africa’s otherwise broad portfolio. Ian McLaren attended the car’s local introduction.
Hyundai Grand i10 1,2 Fluid manual Fast Facts
- Price: R279 900
- Engine: naturally aspirated, 1,2-litre, four-cylinder
- Transmission: 5-speed manual
- Power: 61 kW @ 6 000 r/min
- Torque: 114 N.m @ 4 000 r/min
- Driven wheels: front
- Top speed: 167 km/h
- Fuel consumption: 5,5 L/100km (combined)
- CO2 emissions: 130 g/km
- Rivals: Suzuki Celerio, Suzuki Dzire, Kia Picanto and VW Polo Vivo
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What are we driving?
Sourced from India, while both the hatch and the sedan measure less than 5-metres in overall length, each is packaged to make optimal use of these dimensions, the former offering a claimed 360 litres worth of luggage space, with the booted variant increasing this number by up to 42-litres – the sedan taking on the likes of the Suzuki Dzire and VW Polo sedan in targeting fleet sales.
Seeking to take advantage of the recently announced discontinuation of the Nissan NP200 half-tonne workhorse, Hyundai South Africa also offers a locally converted panel van version of its modern Grand i10 hatch.
Related: Unibody Bakkies that Could Replace the Nissan NP200
The Grand i10 hatch is available in entry-level Motion guise, as well as more premium Fluid specification. The sedan is sold exclusively in Fluid spec.
Why is the updated Hyundai Grand i10 significant?
An ever-significant segment of an increasingly budget-conscious South African car market, the Grand i10 has an important role to play both in terms of offering perceived value-for-money, and honest motoring to a local audience, but also in providing an enticing entry point into the world of Hyundai, a Korean brand with a now well-established reputation for reliability, value and after-sales service.
Looking to build on this reputation through its modern product offering, the brand claims to have refocused its attention on its most affordable model, including newfound levels of quality and trim finish throughout.
A boon for this segment is the continuation through this model’s update of both Hyundai’s extended standard warranty, as well as of the two petrol engine options available in the Grand i10, each offering a claimed fuel consumption of less than 6,0 L/100 km.
What’s new on the updated Hyundai Grand i10?
The updated Grand i10 is distinguishable via its box-fresh grille design, including a reimagined set of LED daytime running lights in Fluid specification. Top-tier derivatives also gain 15-inch alloy wheels compared with the 14-inch steel items fitted to the Motion models, as well as colour coding on the electrically adjustable mirrors. Owners can also opt for a dual-tone paint finish (a black roof) in this flagship model.
Some of the items that I especially appreciate in cars at this price point include rear passenger air vents, a 60:40 split rear backrest (curiously, only in the Fluid models) and height adjustment on the driver’s seat, the latter making it that much easier to find a comfortable (safe) driving position.
The new 8-inch infotainment display can host smartphone mirroring via either cord- or an altogether less reliable wireless connection. A multifunction steering wheel is another welcome inclusion.
On the subject of safety, while stability control remains absent throughout the Grand i10 range, of arguably more relevance in a vehicle designed ostensibly for an urban environment, ABS-assisted braking, as well as dual front airbags are standard fitment.
What does the updated Hyundai Grand i10 cost?
- Hyundai Grand i10 1,0 Motion manual – R229 900
- Hyundai Grand i10 1,0 Motion Cargo Van – R245 900
- Hyundai Grand i10 1,2 Motion auto – R269 900
- Hyundai Grand i10 1,0 Fluid manual – R264 900
- Hyundai Grand i10 1,0 Fluid Sedan manual – R279 900
- Hyundai Grand i10 1,2 Fluid manual – R279 900
- Hyundai Grand i10 1,2 Fluid auto – R309 900
- Hyundai Grand i10 1,2 Fluid Sedan auto – R309 900
Related: Hyundai Reveals Pricing and Specs for New Grand i10 Sedan
Prices include a 5-year/150 000 km vehicle warranty, a 7-year/200 000 km powertrain warranty and a 1-year/15 000 km service plan.
What is the updated Hyundai Grand i10 like to drive?
Available with a choice of a naturally aspirated (no turbo) 49 kW/94 N.m 1,0-litre, three-cylinder motor or an altogether more capable 1,2-litre, four-cylinder motor (also without a turbo), it’s the latter derivative and mated with a five-speed manual gearbox, that we drove at the car’s local introduction. This more powerful of the two motors is also available throughout the range with a four-speed automatic transmission.
A combination of a supple suspension arrangement, as well as impressively comfortable seats made the Grand i10 notably pleasant to navigate around our Western Cape-based launch route. While I did occasionally search for a sixth gear at cruising speeds (the car registering 3 500 r/min at 120 km/h), I was nevertheless suitably impressed with a returned fuel consumption over the course of my 80 km-long routing of just 5,7 L/100 km.
While all derivatives feature a reverse camera as standard, on the Fluid models this is complemented by actual sensors, too.
What are the updated Hyundai Grand i10’s rivals?
We’ve mentioned that the sedan competes against the likes of the Suzuki Dzire and VW Polo sedan. The hatch, on the other hand, offers competition to cars like Kia Picanto and VW Polo Vivo.
Verdict
The brand that enjoyed so much initial success in our market with impressive entry-level offerings like the Getz and the (second generation) Atos, you get the sense that Hyundai gets a buzz out of harnessing an enticing level of charm out of the smallest products.
The updated Grand i10 continues this legacy by offering predictable, fuss-free motoring in a package that feels suitably well put together and, indeed, honest.
Loaded with standard specification and backed by an impressive warranty, the notably efficient Grand i10 has every chance of claiming a CAR magazine Top 12 Best Buys award.
We’d opt for the 1,2 Fluid manual.
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