2017 Hyundai Grand i10 facelift review

The two biggest manufacturers in the country are perennially in a sparring match. If Hyundai launches a new car, Maruti Suzuki reacts with an update and vice versa. This month, we saw the Ignis, Maruti’s funky hatchback that’s aiming to woo young car buyers. That’s stepping into the Grand i10’s territory and so Hyundai was quick to respond with an update to the Grand i10. From the minute you get in and set off the line, you will notice some major changes made to the car. Are the updates good enough to hold its own in wake of fresher competition? We took the Grand i10 for a spin to find out.

All-new?

It isn’t. The Grand i10 gets a minor facelift but you can’t miss the changes. A nice set of LED DRLs will catch your attention at first glance, that are neatly integrated into the front bumper. To make way for the new LED strips and a bigger grille, the front bumper has been redesigned. It looks sportier than before as a result. The rear bumper gets redesigned as well to include new brake lights and a faux diffuser.

What else?

A bigger diesel engine. This had to come if the Grand i10 wanted a shot at good sales because the Ignis with its 1248cc diesel mill makes 74bhp of power and 190Nm of torque. The Grand i10 now gets a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder diesel engine that makes 74bhp of power and 190Nm of torque, identical to the Ignis. It gets a bump in power of 4bhp and 30Nm over the 1.1-litre mill it replaces and the spring in its stride with the new engine is evident.

Fun to drive?

For a compact hatchback, zipping through traffic, a light steering and good body control are the main attributes, and the Grand i10 shines through in each. The extra power and torque get it off the line quicker, there is a stronger midrange now and despite being a diesel 3-pot, it revs all the way to 5,000rpm. There’s not much in terms of performance to be gained but a wider rev-band means you don’t need as many gear changes while driving in the city. And even at 3,000rpm in the meat of the Grand’s powerband, the diesel engine feels so refined that there is no irritation from the build of revs, that you’d get from a diesel motor. In addition to good refinement, NVH levels are impressive too. The ride is well sorted, soaking in potholes and undulations with the poise of a much bigger car and the steering is light but not vague so you can point and shoot through gaps when you are in a bit of rush. A slick gearbox adds to the fun to drive element and the clutch is light enough too, if a bit tough to modulate.

On the inside

You will notice two major updates here. First is the 7-inch infotainment system that comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and second, the Grand now gets automatic climate control. The touchscreen infotainment system is shared with the i20. It doesn’t come in-built with navigation as you can mirror your phone now and google maps is the best navigation you can get in India anyway. The seats are very comfortable and there’s good enough space for four passengers. Hyundai offers the highest quality materials on the inside in their hatchbacks and it’s no different with the Grand i10. The dashboard surfaces, the steering wheel, gear lever, seat fabrics, everything feels very plush.

What about safety?

The Grand i10 gets a driver’s airbag on all variants. The base Era and one above it Magna variant don’t get a passenger airbag while Sportz and Asta get passenger airbags as well. Where we think Hyundai has skimped is offering ABS only on the top Asta trim. There’s a rear parking camera too that relays its feed to the large infotainment screen, and hence the Grand i10 won’t come with electrochromic rear view mirrors any more.

Easy on the pocket?

The Grand i10 in this Asta trim costs Rs 7.37 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi, that slots the Hyundai right in between the Figo and Ignis diesel top-spec models. While the Ignis is the fresh kid on the block, the Figo with the 99bhp diesel unit and six airbags is a car that shouldn’t be overlooked. The Grand i10 however is a good all-round package with plenty of features and comfortable interiors.

Verdict

It has always been a good all-rounder but a couple of years down the line, the Grand i10 needed an update to fend off fresher rivals. Big updates in the powertrain department with the addition of a few key features make it a lot more competitive now.

evo India rating:

4/5