CHARMER: HYUNDAI GRAND i10
Hyundai’s Grand i10 Glide is history. The last new one eased off a South African showroom floor around December 2019 but few noticed and no one really minds.
The plusses that made it top model of the local range were synthetic leather upholstery, LED daytime running lights and rear parking assistance. Then progress intervened. Even Fluid models have those now.
Let’s explain. The thirdgeneration Hyundai Grand i10 was revealed to the press recently. Briefly it’s longer, wider and lower on a wheelbase extended by 25mm; grille and lights have been revamped; dash and instruments transformed; all-round visibility improved thanks to a larger rear window, re-angled A-pillars and bigger wing mirrors.
The back seat area gained a repeater vent and a power socket; front and rear seats were re-engineered for greater comfort, the boot’s a smidgen bigger and the touchscreen multimedia system now does screen mirroring for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Despite ongoing economic pressure, prices increased only marginally, between R9 400 and R12 400.
Engines, gearboxes, brakes, suspension and seven-year warranty with roadside assistance remain as before.
So does the line-up. Minus Glide of course.
There are five offerings: 1.0 Motion manual, 1.0 Motion automatic, 1.0 Fluid manual, 1.2 Fluid manual and 1.2 Fluid automatic. Motion derivatives provide anti-submarining seats covered in cloth and vinyl with height adjustment for the driver; 14” steel wheels with plastic caps; full sized spare; dual front airbags; ISOFix baby chair mountings; disc/drum brakes with ABS and EBD; conventional parking brake; halogen headlights with welcome and follow functions; tiltadjustable steering wheel with audio and Bluetooth controls; filtered, manual air conditioner; electric windows and mirrors and the 6.2” infotainment kit mentioned earlier.
Fluid level flows up to alloy wheels (14” for 1.0litre engine and 15” for the 1.2); artificial leather upholstery; optional twotone paintwork; split rear seatbacks with pockets; front fog lamps; LED daytime running lights that bracket the upper grille; single-touch downward for the driver’s window; heated and folding side mirrors; luggage net; bag hooks in the boot and reverse parking alarms.
We had a 1.0 Fluid manual to tour some North Coast highways and byways and get a feel for it. Within the constraints of one-litre capacity and natural aspiration, it performed strongly. Fit and finish was excellent, it handled confidently and it felt more spacious than previously. It’s an enticing successor to the previous two generations. Even though Gliding’s no longer an option.
Priced from R191 900 to R256 900.
Engines: 998 cc, inline threecylinder with multipoint injection and 12 valves
Power: 49kW at 5500rpm; torque: 94Nm at 3500rpm; 0-100km/h: 14.9 sec (man), 16.6 sec (auto); Top speed: 153km/h (man), 148km/h (auto). Claimed average fuel consumption: 5.4 l/100km (man), 5.9 l/100km (auto). 1197 cc, inline four-cylinder with MPI and 16 valves
Power: 61kW at 6000rpm; Torque: 114Nm at 4000rpm; 0-100km/h: 12.3 sec (man), 14.5 sec (auto); top speed: 167km/h (man), 160km/h (auto). Claimed average fuel consumption: 5.9 l/100km (man), 6.9 l/100km (auto).
Ground clearance: 157mm; turning circle: 9.8m. Warranty: five years/150 000km with additional two years /50 000km on powertrain; roadside assistance: seven years/150 000km; service plan: one year/15 000km