Hyundai’s revamped Grand i10

Hyundai’s revamped Grand i10. Fresh new looks and a sedan sibling.

Appealing. Zippy and very economical. And now you can choose from a hatchback as well as a 4 door sedan. A new appearance for sure but now with refreshed exterior looks, a few interior changes and the Grand i10 Sedan. The refreshed 3rd generation Grand i10 hatchback is available with a choice between two petrol engines: The 3-cylinder 1-litre, or the 1.2-litre 4-cylinder power plant. The latter is the only engine that powers the two Grand i10 sedan derivatives. Both engines are paired with 5-speed manual gearbox, while the 1.2-litre also uses a 4-speed automatic transmission to deliver power to the front wheels. I tested both the sedan and hatchback at launch .in KZN recently and was reasonable impressed.   

A most reliable hatchback

“Hyundai’s top-seller in South Africa has already established itself as a solid and reliable hatchback model with an impressive list of features and outstanding fuel economy. This time the designers have given the Grand i10 an attractive mid-life make-over, while retaining the well-rounded package that this model has become known for,” says Stanley Anderson, sales, operations and commercial vehicles director of Hyundai Automotive South Africa.

Image: Naresh Maharaj

 

Be Bold!

On the Grand i10 hatchback, the hexagonal-shaped grille from older design-DNA had to make place for a very attractive, bigger and wider honeycomb grille that spans across almost the whole front section. It gives the impression of a bigger car with a wide stance.

At the back, the makeover treatment was milder, but the result is also a rear view which is less fussy and much more attractive than its predecessor. The horizontal lines have been straightened and the rear lights have a different, more harmonious configuration.

Colours

The new Grand i10 comes in six exterior colours: Typhoon Silver; Titan Gray; Fiery Red; Phantom Black; Atlas White; and a lovely new Spark Green. Phantom White, Fiery Red and Spark Green Grand i10s with the Fluid specification level are also available with a black roof. For the exterior colour choices of the Grand i10 sedan, the Spark Green was replaced by a dark Starry Night.

Alfa Link suspension

Driving an Alfa Romeo is an unforgettable sensation. Stelvio achieves this in the SUV segment thanks to the use of the exclusive Alfa Link™ suspension architecture. On the front, double wishbones with a semi-virtual steering axis (an Alfa Romeo exclusive) optimises dynamics and allows quick steering precision for uncompromised handling. On the rear, a multilink solution was opted for, with four and a half arms - an Alfa Romeo patent - that offers enhanced handling combined with excellent comfort. 

Image: Naresh Maharaj

 

Interior

The main difference between the interior of the Grand i10 hatchback and the sedan is the colour themes – the hatchback is all black, while the sedan offers a mix between black and grey on the front dashboard and inner door trims. Both interiors have black cloth seats, with red detail trim on the air vents and seats of all derivatives. Both the Fluid and Motion derivatives have an 8-inch touch-screen infotainment centre that is compatible with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto systems, and a manual air conditioner.

Electric window-openers and outer rear-view mirror adjuster are also standard fare on all derivatives, as well as three cell phone charging options in the middle console: a modern USB-C, conventional 12V and a USB port. The outer mirrors on the Fluid versions can fold in electrically.

Another difference between the top-end hatchback Fluid derivative and the Motion is that the rear bench of the Fluid can fold down in a 60:40 split, while the Motion has a single bench backrest that folds down to enlarge the luggage area.

 

Under the bonnet

A 998 cc 3-cylinder engine and a slightly bigger 1 197 cc Kappa 4-cylinder engine are used to drive the Grand i10 range.  The 1-litre engine – used in both the Motion and Fluid hatchback derivatives – delivers 48,5 kW peak power, while the 1,2-litre power mill – which drives both Motion and Fluid versions as well as the sedan has peak power of 61 kW.

Fuel consumption for the Grand i10 hatchback with the 1-litre engine and 5-speed manual transmission was measured at 5,5 litres per 100 km, while the same engine coupled with the 4-speed automatic gearbox delivered 5,9 litres per 100 km in a test cycle that combined city and open road driving.

Image: Naresh Maharaj

 

Pricing

The prices of the Grand i10 starts at:

Grand i10 1.0 Motion (manual) –  R229 900

Grand i10 1.2 Motion (auto) –  R269 900

Grand i10 1.0 Fluid (manual) –  R264 900

Grand i10 1.2 Fluid (manual) –  R279 900

Grand i10 1.2 Fluid (automatic) –  R309 900

Grand i10 1,0 Fluid Sedan (manual) –  R279 900

Grand i10 1,2 Fluid Sedan (auto) –  R309 900

Grand i10 1,0 Motion Cargo Van –  R245 900

A 7-year/200 000 km manufacturers’ warranty is part of the package, as well as a 1-year/15 000 km service plan and 5-years/150 000 km roadside assistance.