Hyundai Grand i10 Nios

The new Grand i10 Nios slots in between the existing Grand i10 and larger i20 in Hyundai’s India range. Key talking points include keen pricing, loads of features and the option of four engine-gearbox options. It’s on offer with petrol and diesel engines that can be had with manual or AMT gearboxes. The petrol engine is BS6-compliant while the BS6-ready version of the diesel engine comes in early 2020.

The Hyundai Grand i10 Nios is a bit larger than the older Grand i10 in every dimension. However, you wouldn’t confuse one for the other because the Nios sports Hyundai’s slightly polarising new-age styling theme. The large cascading grille, for one, looks a touch oversized and there’s a hint of the Santro to the Nios’ nose too. Boomerang-shaped LED DRLs are a distinctive touch but styling at the rear is rather generic.
Like the Grand i10, the Nios too boasts a well-finished and upmarket cabin. Overall quality is impressive and things like the hexagonal texture on the dashboard uplift the look of things. The dash itself is neat in look and positions the infotainment system in clear sight and in easy reach. The part-digital instrumentation is another cool touch. Drivers will like the view out but large-sized adults will find the front seats short on shoulder support. Rear seat passengers have it good with ample legroom and a surprisingly supportive seat. Large windows help the cabin feel airy and the use of light interior colours also helps to this end. The Nios scores on practicality with a very useable 260-litre boot.
The Nios’ 1.2-litre petrol engine makes 83hp. Performance is sufficient for what is a city car but you have to work the engine when you need to overtake in a hurry. What’s nice is that the 5-speed manual gearbox and light clutch are easy to use. We’re yet to drive the 5-speed AMT auto but the promise is of added convenience without much of a penalty in fuel economy. Buyers interested in low running costs will do well to look at the Nios diesel. Its 75hp, 1.2-litre engine builds power in a friendly manner and there’s enough pep for city driving. On the highway though, the engine’s lack of punch becomes all too apparent. The 5-speed manual is smooth and the AMT auto gets the job done, even if shifts aren’t absolutely slick.
A light steering and good visibility make the Nios easy to live with in town. That said, the Nios feels out of its comfort zone on the highway, though the heavier diesel does feel more reassuring at the wheel. Models with 14-inch rims deliver a more pliant low-speed experience than versions with larger 15-inch rims.

The Hyundai Grand i10 Nios diesel makes sense for buyers who cover long distances every month. However, if you frequent the highway often, the Grand i10 Nios is not the best hatchback for you. The Grand i10 Nios works best as a city car, and as such the petrol-AMT auto makes the most sense. Of the trims, the high-spec Sportz is a good buy. It gets 14-inch alloy wheels, auto climate control, a rear camera and an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The fully-loaded Asta gets the added safety of a rear wiper and adjustable rear headrests. 15-inch alloy wheels, wireless charging, keyless entry and push button start are other features exclusive to the top-spec Asta.