Hyundai’s Grand i10 gets fresh new looks

Hyundai’s Grand i10, the Korean brand’s entry-level hatchback in South Africa, has made a new appearance with refreshed exterior looks, a few interior changes, and brought with it a new sibling in the range, the Grand i10 Sedan.

The refreshed 3rd generation Grand i10 hatchback is still available with a choice between two petrol engines: The 3-cylinder 1-litre mill, 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.

“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.

“As we have seen over quite some time with Hyundai’s models, the designers have done an excellent job with the new Grand i10. It makes the impression of a bigger car, and it certainly feels like one with is impressive handling and road manners,” says Anderson.

New, bold exterior for Grand i10 hatchback.

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.

Boomerang-shaped daytime running lights (for Fluid versions) on the outer sides of the grille rounds off the very much cleaned up front impression.

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.

The side view of the new Grand i10 hatchback did not change much, except for new 15-inch alloy wheels for the Fluid derivatives, and new 14-inch styled wheel covers for the Motion versions.

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, and no two-tone options are available.

Similar interiors with wide range of features.

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.

The infotainment screen also reflects a picture from a rear-view camera when the car reverses – a feature that is standard across the range.

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.

The Fluid derivatives come with a multi-function steering wheel with cruise control buttons as well as remote control buttons for the infotainment sound system and telephone, while the Motion version’s steering wheel is only equipped with the controls for the telephone and sound system.

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.

The driver’s comfort is taken care of by a height-adjustable steering wheel and driver’s seat.

A very useful centre console for the rear passengers in all hatchback and sedan derivatives, containing air vents and a USB charging port, bears testimony of the comprehensive set of standard features that is not common in cars in this market segment.

Two petrol engines, manual and auto transmission.

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 at 5 500 r/min. and 94 Nm maximum torque at 3 500 r/min., while the 1,2-litre power mill – which drives both Motion and Fluid versions as well as the sedan – reaches its power peak of 61 kW at 6 000 r/min. and maximum torque of 114 Nm at 4 000 r/min.

Even at the high altitude of Gauteng, the 1-litre engine delivers ample power via the 5-speed manual gearbox to the front-drive wheels. There is also a choice of a 4-speed automatic gearbox for and 1,2-litre Motion and Fluid hatchback derivatives, and the sedan.

Fuel consumption for the 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.

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. The Grand i10 sedan recorded an average fuel consumption of 5,5 litres/100 km for the manuel version, and 5,7 litres/100 km for the automatic.

MacPherson struts with shock absorbers are used for the front suspension, and a coupled torsion beam, also with shock absorbers, at the rear.

Safety.

All new Grand i10 versions come with driver and front passenger airbags, ISOFIX child seat attachments on the rear seats and pretensioners for the front seat occupants’ seat belts.

An Advanced Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) are standard features in all derivatives.

Pricing.

The prices of the Grand i10 range are:

• 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.

Article by: Hyundai