The Hyundai Grand i10 Sedan offers practical simplicity
Prashirwin Naidu
In its third generation, Hyundai has revised the all-new Hyundai Grand i10.
It aims to be a shining star amidst economic challenges. However, the sub-R300 000 does put a damper on the spirit in terms of what you get in cars these days compared to a decade ago.
Now the looks: the Grand i10 hatch and the Sedan variant both look edgier and simply tasteful. In the Sedan guise, we sampled the flagship Grand i10 1.2 Fluid Manual model priced at R285,500.
The front-end design has been refreshed, incorporating a new grille with a mesh pattern. It also has modern LED daytime running headlights and a few nips and tucks towards the hatchback's rear. It looks sharper and more angular, and the i10's counterpart, the sedan model, is more prominent in the rear end, boasting 402 litres of boot space, while the hatch is only 360 litres.
While the i10 sedan's luggage capacity isn't the biggest, its 402-litre boot falls behind the 4-door Polo Sedan (521 litres) and Honda's Amaze (420 litres).
The interior has solid plastics; one will notice an 8-inch infotainment system and a C-type fast-charging USB port to charge your devices with wireless or plug-in Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, Bluetooth, cruise control, electric windows and mirrors, front and rear parking sensors, along with a camera.
The Hyundai Grand i10 has two engine choices: a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine producing 49kW and 94Nm and a 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine generating 61kW and 114Nm.
In terms of driving, the ride quality is smooth. The clutch and gear lever felt light and easy to use in traffic. While the performance could have been better, the engine provided sufficient power for highway speeds and handled steep inclines proficiently.
Despite its small wheelbase and compact size, the Grand i10 Sedan handles well, and its electric power steering provides a good balance of responsiveness without feeling too light or imprecise at higher speeds.
The Grand i10 Fluid rides with 175/60 R15 alloy wheels, absorbing bumps and uneasy road conditions. The Motion variant has capped steel wheels fitted with 165/70 R14 tyres.
Hyundai South Africa claims an average fuel consumption of 5.5l/100km. I achieved 6.0l/100km when driving leisurely, commuting to work and back on simple highway cruising. Spirited driving can take you to 7.5l/100km.
The rivals include the Kia Pegas, Honda Amaze, Polo Sedan and Suzuki Dzire. These new additions to the Hyundai Grand i10 line-up are compelling for those seeking style, urban agility, and comfortable passenger accommodation.
Safety-wise, it has dual front airbags, anti-lock brakes and ISOFIX child seat mounting points; however, it does not offer Electronic Stability Program ESP. Another factor to note is the Grand i10 has a 2020 Global NCAP rating of two stars.
But there is no doubt it is a practical runabout with style and a price to match.
The Grand i10 price ranges:
Grand i10 1.0 Motion Manual — R234,500
Grand i10 1.0 Fluid Manual — R270,500
Grand i10 1.2 Motion Auto — R275,500
Grand i10 1.2 Fluid Manual — R285,500
Grand i10 1.2 Fluid Auto — R315,900
All new Hyundai Grand i10 models have a standard five-year/150,000km drivetrain warranty, a seven-year/200,000km drivetrain warranty, and a one-year/15,000km service plan.
