Hyundai Grand i10: Small, powerful and fun to drive

With the streets of metro the way they are — and with traffic as it is (I wonder if the traffic situation will ever get better) — it can sometimes be a real joy to drive around in a small car.

I have begun to notice (at least when there are no floods) that small cars are today’s choice for smart city driving. It was a joy to get to test drive the Hyundai Grand i10, which is the perfect small car that is able to zip in and out of the tightest spots in style. Hyundai’s first subcompact hatchback is off to a grand start, showing that there’s art to city driving.

The Grand i10 comes with its own pedigree — as it has won a series of awards, such as the 2014 Indian Car of the Year; Compact Car of the Year of Auto Car India; Car of the Year of CarBuyer (UK); and Best City Car of What Car?, the UK’s biggest and most comprehensive car buyer’s guide.

LET THE DRIVE BEGIN

It is no wonder that this small car has won a lot of awards — after all it is one of those cars that will make one take a second look, and a third, and a fourth. It all begins with the “chic icon,” Hyundai’s new design concept for the Grand i10. In the Hyundai design language, “chic icon” is a refinement of the iconic elements of the mini city car.

Let’s see. The Hyundai Grand i10 is 80 millimeters longer and 65 millimeters broader than its predecessors. But more than the extra legroom, the new sporty lines are neatly packaged in this cute five-door hatch. 

The handsome front, refined rear and sporty profile blend seamlessly to project iconic style and grandness that are not usually present in your regular subcompact hatchback. The hexagonal grill, the Hyundai family of vehicle’s landmark design, along with bigger and brighter headlamps, a wide windshield and fog lamps cut a spirited figure of a good friend who’s ready to take you places. The 14-inch alloy wheels and sleek outside mirrors that are electrically adjustable and foldable add to the sporty profile.

One of the aspects of driving a car that I value the most is comfort. Most especially because there has not been a day (except for Sunday) that I have not gotten stuck in some traffic jam.  The roominess of the Grand i10 makes the long drive in stop-and-go traffic bearable — and quite fun, too.

To add to the roominess I must mention that this hatch boasts up to 256-liter capacity that can accommodate two big pieces of luggage or three sports bags for an active weekend. The seats are comfier, while the glove box keeps refreshments cool and easily on hand. Power windows at the front and rear with auto down on the driver side let sunshine and fresh air filter into the cabin with the flick of a switch, which is what I like to do when I am caught in traffic. Play with the little buttons or turn off the AC and let the cooler air in during rainy days.

The Grand i10 is equipped with reliable power and handling. I got to test drive the 1.2-liter variant, which is a compact powerhouse that churns a maximum power output of 87 ps at 6000 rpm and a maximum torque of 12.2 kg-m at 4000 rpm for longer stretches. 

If I am to measure the stability of this car in the way it behaved during the five-hour traffic jam I got caught in — then I must say that this is one small car that guarantees stability during long drives because it is equipped with a MacPherson Strut-type suspension system coupled Torsion Beam Axle (CTBA) that can stop and go in any situation without hesitation.

Driving the i10 makes for another brilliant experience as Hyundai’s new baby carries a number of premium features that you won’t usually expect from a subcompact.  Kick off your grand journey with a Smart Key with button start. This baby is push-button easy. The steering wheel has a tilt steering function and is powered by Motor-Driven Power Steering (MDPS) to help lessen the engine load required to maneuver the car, and so boost fuel economy. 

A trip computer displays useful driving statistics, like distance to empty, average fuel consumption, average vehicle speed, elapsed time, and instant fuel consumption; while an Eco Indicator reminds you to drive more efficiently. 

Finding your way is likewise a breeze with a navigation system and rear view camera that guides the driver to properly maneuver the car when backing up or parking. 

An LCD touchscreen with AM/FM radio and CD/DVD/MP3 players guarantee more than just listening pleasure. The four-speaker system allows everyone on board to enjoy music on equal volume. What’s more, the Grand i10 has a USB slot, an Auxiliary input and iPod connectivity with Bluetooth capability. 

And because safety is premium, I was not surprised this small car is packed with grand safety features. The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) adds to the car’s stability by preventing it from skidding and enabling stable braking. It also restricts wheel lock-up during panic braking for better maneuvering during emergency situations. 

Front disc brakes allow for safer stops and road grip while braking. The Grand i10 has dual airbags and a High Mount Stop Lamp (HMSL) fitted at the rear to make the car more visible if you need to make sudden stops. The rear wiper and washer keep a clear view from behind, especially when the rains start to pour again. And fog lamps offer better illumination for night driving.

As the last stop, before I returned the test unit I passed by a Hyundai car dealer to check out what colors this baby comes in. I was happy to see that this next generation i10 comes in quirky new color choices of Red Passion, Golden Orange, Aqua Blue, Wine Red, Twilight Blue, Star Dust, Silky Beige added to the standard Sleek Silver, Pure White, and Phantom Black.

Traffic and all, it’s funny how I wished that the drive that day in the Hyundai Grand i10 would never end. It was so much fun.