Hyundai Launches 'Sporty' Grand i10 NIOS Hatchback in India

Published On: 30 August 2019 | 1290 Views

The Hyundai Grand i10 has been a successful hatchback that blends in a good mix of comfort and value. However, the word ‘sportiness’ was never associated with it and those looking at driving pleasure always opted for cars like the VW Polo, Ford Figo and the ever popular Maruti Swift.

  • Blue, Red, and White Color Hyundai Grand i10s
  • Red Color Hyundai Grand i10 Front Profile
  • Blue Color Hyundai Grand i10 Side Profile
  • Hyundai Grand i10 NIOS Front Seats and Steering Wheel
  • Blue Color Hyundai Grand i10 Side Profile
  • Blue Color Hyundai Grand i10 Rear Profile
  • Hyundai Grand i10 NIOS Rear Seats
  • Red Color Hyundai Grand i10 Front Profile

Introduction

Red Color Hyundai Grand i10 Front Profile

The Hyundai Grand i10 has been a successful hatchback that blends in a good mix of comfort and value. However, the word ‘sportiness’ was never associated with it and those looking at driving pleasure always opted for cars like the VW Polo, Ford Figo and the ever popular Maruti Swift. This is where Hyundai decided to come up with a modern day Grand i10 and thus was born the NIOS model.

The word NIOS means ‘more’ in Irish language. This new model went on sale from Rs 4.99 lac onwards and will sell alongside the older Grand i10 hatchback. The older Grand i10 will only be offered with manual transmissions with the new NIOS model will get optional AMT (automated manual transmission) in both the fuel types.

Exteriors 

Blue, Red, and White Color Hyundai Grand i10s

Back to the word NIOS, we wanted to experience what more did this new car offer and went all the way to lush green Udaipur for the same. In terms of dimensions, the NIOS has grown in size over the earlier Grand i10 as it is based on a heavily modified platform. The front end is also new and gets larger, classier headlamps for projectors in the higher trims. Boomerang shaped DRLs on either side of the ever-expanding grille look nice and the bumper houses cute little round fog lamps.

Blue Color Hyundai Grand i10 Side Profile

In the end, its work well done. Side profile highlights the machine cut 15-inch alloy wheels and the G-i10 branding on the C pillar. Otherwise, the side of the NIOS isn’t too exciting. The rear too is simple and a mix of the older Grand and for some reason, the Tata Tiago. But in the end, it's a job well done.

Getting into the NIOS is pretty easy and this is a boon for the elderly or tall people. The cabin design is all-new and the pictures you see here belong to the dual tone Sportz versions that get an all-black theme. The other versions get black-beige combo. In our opinion, the all black interiors look far sportier and even the seats get contrast stitching.

Interiors

Hyundai Grand i10 NIOS Front Seats and Steering Wheel

Cabin space has gone up and while the front seats offer as much space as the Swift, the rear fares better in terms of shoulder room, head room and knee space. However, if we had to pick shortcomings, they would be in the form no front or rear arm-rest and non-adjustable front head rests. That said, we like the seat comfort and visibility from inside, even for short people.

Feature wise, the NIOS improves and now offers a new and larger 8-inch touch-screen infotainment with better sound quality and a rear-view monitor which works on the move too. And then there is the new speedo console with an analogue tachometer and a digital display for speed and other parameters. In comes wireless charging as well. Neat!

Engine and Output 

Blue Color Hyundai Grand i10 NIOS Front Profile

The 1.2 petrol and 1.2 diesel motors are carried forward but for the first time on the Grand, you have optional AMT or automated manual transmission on offer. This is for both the fuel types. We drove the diesel motor extensively and will talk about it here. This 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine generates 75 PS of power and 190 Nm of torque which is on par with the Swift diesel.

Torque comes in early in the rev range and Hyundai says in terms of low-end torque, the NIOS diesel offers 10% extra torque under 1500rpm than the Swift diesel. This is easily apparent when driving in city traffic and you can pick speeds easily without needing a downshift. We were also impressed with the smoothness of the engine which did not exhibit much of the typical 3-cylinder harshness.

Blue Color Hyundai Grand i10 Side Profile

While the gear shift quality on most Hyundai cars is excellent, we were also impressed with the AMT-Diesel combination. Thanks to abundance of torque in the lower rev range, you can easily potter around in traffic and don’t have to go down hard on the right pedal every now and then. Of course, the lag remains but if you understand how the system works, this combination will reap benefits for you. Certified economy stands at over 26 kmpl for both the MT and AMT diesel models.

Handling

Blue Color Hyundai Grand i10 Rear Profile

The Grand i10 was known to offer a very good ride quality, one that absorbed undulations well and the NIOS carries on the same set-up too. However, given the new design theme, you do feel an underlying firmness that helps when driving the car with a full load of passengers or during highway runs.

Roads around Udaipur weren’t in the best of shapes post the heavy rains and we did come across a fair bit of bad roads. Happy to report that the NIOS did a good job in terms of comfort levels. The light steering will also be appreciated by most buyers though it might keep enthusiasts away.

Verdict 

Hyundai Grand i10 Rear Seats

Priced from Rs 4.99 lac, the Grand i10 NIOS comes across as a very capable all-rounder in the mid-size hatchback market. It carries forward the USPs of the earlier Grand i10 but also adds in sportiness, more features and a better design. Another winner on their hands? We definitely think so!

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