The Hyundai Grand i10 hatchback gets a new diesel engine. Time to find out what it's like behind the wheel.
Compared to the standard i10, the Grand i10 is a good leap forward in terms of ride and handling. To begin with, the car maintains its composure at highway speeds well. The electrically powered steering is quite light, so it is great at city speeds, but it also adequately weighs up as you go faster, making it less nervous than the i10 and even the i20. Overall, the steering has shed a bit of the typical vagueness associated with many Hyundai cars and does feel more accurate and inspires more confidence when turning into corners. But, there is still a bit of that ‘floating’ feeling embedded in the steering system, especially when compared to that of the Maruti Swift or Ford Figo. That said, the steering definitely isn’t a deal breaker and for this car, it isn’t a bottleneck in the overall performance either. In terms of braking, the i10 Grand has well specified brakes and the ABS is nicely calibrated with a good progressive bite.
Ride quality is an area that holds a lot of importance in India – thanks to the lack of well laden roads. The Grand i10’s suspension displays a suppleness that's nearly perfect for our roads. In typical Hyundai fashion, the suspension is on the softer side but, unlike the i20 and the Verna, it isn’t overly soft and hence, the car retains a good portion of its absorbent ride even at higher speeds. Over small to moderate sized bumps and potholes, the Grand exhibits excellent bump absorption. The suspension feels meaty and the cushioning is more than adequate for a car in this segment. But, hit a larger pothole at moderate speeds and the vibrations do filter into the cabin, accompanied by a crashing sound. Also, while the ride at the front is quite good, passengers at the rear will experience a bit of vertical movement, especially at higher speeds. However, drive the car sensibly over rough roads and you won’t have much to complain about.
The Grand i10 is a huge step forward for Hyundai. It delivers plenty of space, high-quality interiors and the efficiency of a diesel in a well-built, modern package. It rides beautifully, drives well and is generally well equipped too. The diesel motor should have been a bit more punchy and anti-lock brakes and airbags should have been standard, at least on the top-of-the-line version. Still, at Rs 6.41 lakh for the Asta diesel (and Rs 5.47 lakh for the Asta petrol), it's a lot of car for your money, and a good blend of the elements that Indian car buyers are looking for.