True to its moniker, Hyundai's Grand i10 facelift feels impressive in almost every aspect. A few aesthetic changes on the outside and the addition of some contemporary features in its cabin are major highlights of what's new on this popular hatchback from the Korean major. It is poised to take on the likes of Maruti's new Ignis. But has Hyundai equipped it the right amount of armor to leave competition in the dust?
When launched, the Grand i10 took the market by storm. Chic, urban, sporty and feature rich are a few words I had used to describe it back then and that stands testament till date. The facelift is quintessential in the segment and stands out with a bold new fascia which features a large hexagonal front grille, an 'L' shaped fog lamp housing with DRLs and wrap around headlamps. The side and rear profile don't see too much change but feature sleeker plastic cladding and large reflectors in the rear that add to the practical quotient of this hatch.
On the inside, the Grand i10 gets just the right amount of kit which gives it all the utility one would require from a city smart car. Features like a 7' touch screen infotainment setup with Apple CarPlay, Android auto, MirrorLink and many other connectivity options never go amiss. It also gets voice recognition which is accessible at the simple push of a button. Speaking of buttons, the Grand i10 also gets push button start/ stop with a smart key and many other handy functions and features to make the daily commute simply delightful.
We got a chance to test the 1.2L, petrol variant which has been mated to a 4-speed automatic box. The engine puts out 81 horses at 6000rpm and can turn almost 114Nm at 4000rpm. Refinement is synonymous with this motor and its linear power delivery is one of the best in its segment. The automatic gear box is nearly seamless in its operations and up-shifts while ambling around in traffic are barely noticeable. Floor the pedal and a linear surge of power is delivered almost instantly. However, on highways the lack of a fifth gear does become evident after 120kmph. However, in the city one does not really feel the need of that fifth gear.
The Grand i10 is also very practical and seems purpose built to remit utility. It gets plenty of storage spaces along with impressive passenger comfort and welcoming interiors. Features like rear AC vents, a cooled glovebox, automatic climate control, electrically adjustable and foldable ORVMs go a long way in making life much easier and add to the convenience this hatch has to offer. While commuting in the city as well, this hatchback offers plenty of comfort for passengers with a softly sprung suspension setup which glides over bad roads and bumps.
For a hatchback which offers quite a bit on the technology front and some first-in-class features like the 7' touch screen infotainment system, Hyundai is demanding a very modest amount and seems to have got the pricing bang on! What adds to the appeal of the Grand i10 is its newfangled looks and sporty mannerisms. Along with getting the price right it would seem Hyundai has kept things true to the cars name and ensured it stays as grand as it was the day they launched it!
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