Hyundai Santro prices now start at Rs 4.15 lakh

As we had already reported last month, Hyundai has silently rejigged the Santro line-up by replacing the base D-Lite and Era variants with a single Era Executive trim. While the now defunct models came with a sticker price of Rs 3.90 lakh and Rs 4.25 lakh, respectively, the new Era Executive has been introduced at Rs 4.15 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), which translates into a bump of Rs 25,000 in the starting price of Hyundai’s budget hatchback range. The mid-spec and top-end variants remain unaffected by the price revision.

As is the case with prices, the Era Executive slots in between the now discontinued D-Lite and Era trims in terms of features too. It gets basics like body coloured bumpers, a manual air-conditioner and front power windows, which were glaring omissions on the D-Lite. However, it misses out on some of the Santro Era variant’s kit like a front power outlet and rear AC vents. Though a driver’s side airbag, ABS, EBD and power steering are standard offerings on the Santro range, the list surprisingly excludes essentials like rear parking sensors (available only on the top-end Asta), a seat belt reminder and a speed alert system, which became mandatory on all new cars produced on July 1, 2019.

In a bid to make the Santro more competitive, Hyundai has made minor feature additions to the mid-spec variants too. The CNG and petrol-manual versions of the Magna variant gain their AMT counterpart’s 2-DIN audio system and multi-function steering wheel. Safety kit that is available on the top-spec Asta – like a rear parking camera, passenger side airbag and front seatbelt pre-tensioners and load limiters – can now also be found on the Sportz AMT variant.      

Mechanically, the Hyundai hatchback remains unchanged. It gets a 1.1-litre motor that puts out 69hp on petrol and 59hp on CNG. Transmission duties are handled by a standard 5-speed manual transmission, with an AMT auto gearbox available as an option. As such, the Santro rivals the Tata Tiago, Maruti Suzuki Wagon R and Celerio in our market.