Hyundai's Grand i10 gets fresh new looks, and a sedan sibling to boot

Hyundai's Grand i10, the Korean brand's entry-level hatchback in SouthAfrica, has made a new appearance with refreshed exterior looks, a few interiorchanges, and brought with it a new sibling in the range, the Grand i10 Sedan.

The refreshed 3rd generation Grand i10 hatchback is stillavailable with a choice between two petrol engines: The 3-cylinder 1-litremill, or the 1.2-litre 4-cylinder power plant. The latter is the only enginethat powers the two Grand i10 sedan derivatives.

Both engines are paired with 5-speed manual gearbox, while the 1.2-litrealso uses a 4-speed automatic transmission to deliver power to the frontwheels.

"Hyundai's top-seller in South Africa has already established itself asa solid and reliable hatchback model with an impressive list of features and outstandingfuel economy. This time the designers have given the Grand i10 an attractivemid-life make-over, while retaining the well-rounded package that this modelhas become known for," says Stanley Anderson, sales, operations and commercial vehiclesdirector of Hyundai Automotive South Africa.

"As we have seen over quite some time with Hyundai's models, thedesigners have done an excellent job with the new Grand i10. It makes theimpression of a bigger car, and it certainly feels like one with is impressivehandling and road manners," says Anderson.

New, bold exterior for Grand i10 hatchback

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

Boomerang-shaped daytime running lights (for Fluid versions) on theouter 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 arear view which is less fussy and much more attractive than its predecessor.The horizontal lines have been straightened and the rear lights have adifferent, more harmonious configuration.

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

The new Grand i10 comes in six exterior colours: Typhoon Silver; TitanGray; Fiery Red; Phantom Black; Atlas White; and a lovely new Spark Green. PhantomWhite, Fiery Red and Spark Green Grand i10s with the Fluid specification level arealso available with a black roof.

For the exterior colour choices of the Grand i10 sedan, the Spark Greenwas 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 andthe sedan is the colour themes - the hatchback is all black, while the sedanoffers 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 airvents and seats of all derivatives. Both the Fluid and Motion derivatives havean 8-inch touch-screen infotainment centre that is compatible with AppleCarPlay or Android Auto systems, and a manual air conditioner.

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

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

The Fluid derivatives come with a multi-function steering wheel with cruisecontrol buttons as well as remote control buttons for the infotainment soundsystem and telephone, while the Motion version's steering wheel is onlyequipped with the controls for the telephone and sound system.

Another difference between the top-end hatchback Fluid derivative andthe 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 theluggage area.

The driver's comfort is taken care of by a height-adjustable steeringwheel and driver's seat.

A very useful centre console for the rear passengers in all hatchbackand sedan derivatives, containing air vents and a USB charging port, bearstestimony of the comprehensive set of standard features in the Grand i10 thatis 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-cylinderengine are used to drive the Grand i10 range. The 1-litre engine - used in both the Motionand Fluid hatchback derivatives - delivers 48,5 kW peak power at 5 500r/min. and 94 Nm maximum torque at 3 500 r/min., while the 1,2-litre powermill - which drives both Motion and Fluid versions as well as the sedan - reachesits power peak of 61 kW at 6 000 r/min. and maximum torque of 114 Nm at4 000 r/min.

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

Fuel consumption for the Grand i10 hatchback with the 1-litre engine and5-speed manual transmission was measured at 5,5 litres per 100 km, while thesame engine coupled with the 4-speed automatic gearbox delivered 5,9 litres per100 km in a test cycle that combined city and open road driving.

The 1,2-litre Grand i10 Fluid with the manual 5-speed transmissionrecorded fuel consumption of 5,9 litres per 100 km, and 6,9 litres per 100 kmusing the 4-speed automatic gearbox. The Grand i10 sedan recorded an averagefuel consumption of 5,5 litres/100 km for the manuel version, and 5,7 litres/100km 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 frontseat 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) - R264900

Grand i10 1.2 Fluid (manual) - R279900

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 - R245900

A 7-year/200 000 km manufacturers' warranty is part of the package, aswell as a 1-year/15 000 km service plan and 5-years/150 000 km roadsideassistance.