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| The Grand i10 is a super mini with big car feature and a willingess to dive onto corners. |
Hyundai last week launched an all-new, fresh version of its best selling model in South Africa — the Grand i10.
Despite the name, the new Grand i10 is a small car, driven by a 1-litre engine or a 1,2-litre. We drove the entry-level small three-cylinder engine at launch, as this is the most popular choice for buyers.
The 998 cc block makes 49 kW and 94 Nm. The Newtons peak at 3 500 rpm, which provides for low-rev progress in stop-start city traffic and gives the little block grunt also in the thin air of Gauteng. A manual five-speed transmission clicks in smoothly, but there is also a four-speed automatic gearbox for both engines, at a cost of about R25 k extra.
Fuel consumption
The Grand i10 is all about sipping fuel, and Hyundai claims 5,4 litres per 100 km from the 1-litre manual, while the same engine coupled with the automatic gearbox delivered 5,9 litres per 100 km in a test cycle that combined city and open road driving.
The 1,2-litre Grand i10 Fluid with the manual 5-speed transmission recorded fuel consumption of 5,9 litres per 100 km, and 6,9 litres per 100 km using the 4-speed automatic gearbox.Spirited driving revealed less than expected understeer despite the tried-and-tested suspension set-up with MacPherson struts and shock in front and a torsion beam, also with shock absorbers, at the rear.
While the handling will not drift through corners as does the rally-tuned i20 in which Hyundai drivers are leading the World Rally Championships — but the smaller Grand i10 will also not go into the first ditch when the driver reacts too late.
Safety
If the driver does react too late, the new Grand i10 has advanced braking system (ABS) and Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) as standard on all derivatives. Ditto driver and front passenger airbags, ISOFIX child seat attachments on the rear seats and pretensioners for the front seat occupants’ seat belts.
‘Big car’ features
When perusing the list of features in the new Grand i10, it is surprisingly long for a car of such a small stature.
For the Fluid version it ranges from, inter alia, heated side rear-view mirrors to a multi-function steering wheel, artificial leather seat covers with sassy red stitching and rear park assistance.
The height of the driver’s seat in all derivatives is adjustable and the rear seats’ backrest can fold forward — as a full bench for the Motion derivatives, and in a 60:40 split for the Fluid versions. The manual air conditioning system is designed for India’s humidity and has air vents for rear passengers as well.
All Grand i10 versions are equipped with an infotainment system with a 6,2-inch touch screen which displays Apple’s CarPlay or Android Auto when connected to one’s smart phone via a cable to a USB port on the system’s interface.
A second USB port at the bottom of the centre console provides charging of any suitable device.
The new Grand i10’s seats are designed to provide a relaxed and comfortable drive for all occupants.
Hyundai said the bolstered front seats “ensure superior comfort for both driver and passenger, especially while cornering”.
So we tested that. (The passenger did not seem to feel as bolstered as the driver, but that is a subjective opinion.)
The seats have been given enhanced thigh support for comfortable long journeys. While certainly comfortable, the slant of the thigh support is quite steep for blokes with paunches.
Imported from Chennai
The Grand i10 is built at Hyundai’s plant in Chennai, India, from where the little hatch is exported to 87 countries all over the globe.
It is a super mini that has proven itself to over 1,15 million owners from 2014 to 2020, 49 252 of whom are in South Africa.
Stanley Anderson, sales and operations director of Hyundai Automotive South Africa said the Grand i10 is Hyundai Automotive South Africa’s best-seller.
“It takes a very important position in our wide range of Hyundai models for the local market.
“We believe that, especially in the present economic conditions and the global Covid-19 crisis, it has a very important role and that there is still growth in its segment which has plenty competitors,” says
“Entry-level cars do not have to remind you of that status because of the way they drive, the way they sound when you close the doors, their lack of head and leg room and sparse features list.
“The new Hyundai Grand i10 with its solid body, good looks, spacious interior and extensive specification list proves that, and gives you the experience of a bigger car despite its compact dimensions,” said Anderson.
A seven-year/200 000 km manufacturers’ warranty is part of the package, as well as a one-year or 15 000 km service plan and five-year or 150 000 km roadside assistance.
Grand i10 pricing
1.0 Motion (manual) – R191 900
1.0 Motion (automatic) – R216 900
1.0 Fluid (manual) – R216 900
1.2 Fluid (manual) – R230 900
1.2 Fluid (automatic) – R256 900
