The Hyundai Grand i10: Big surprises in a not-so-small car

In a world of rising fuel costs, shrinking road space, greenhouse gases galore and health-degrading air pollution, Small is the new ‘in.’ Except people sometimes have trouble defining what small really is – ‘How small is small?’ and ‘Can’t we go a little bigger than that small?’ Well the market now seems more open to the idea of a car that is ‘Small, but not quite.’

And this new, emerging segment is pretty much where we can throw in one of Hyundai’s latest offerings, the Grand i10. No, it’s not exactly the i10 as you remember it—this one actually runs on a completely different platform now—but it still carries that same, fun, charismatic aura that the Korean carmaker giant wants it to be remembered for, only it’s just gotten better.

Its name is an absolute giveaway. The new ‘Grand’ i10 is 80mm longer and 65mm wider than the regular i10, and it’s packed with a lot more upscale features, too. Telling them apart is a no-brainer; the Grand i10 struts a more aggressive front facade, with matching roof rails, and sides that allow the lines to flow through the body all the way to the rear where a spoiler with stop lamp can be found centrally mounted on the car. The sporty, diamond-cut 14-inch mags complement the entire dynamic design idea; and what’s nice is how all the style accents harmonize with the whole: whether it’s the elongated, swept-back headlamps or the trademark hexagonal grille or the wide windshield or the mounted fog lamps—exuding an overall charismatic look that is both cosmopolitan and athletic.

Inside this premium 5-door hatch you will be greeted with a sports-savvy two-tone interior, with a chunky 3-spoke steering wheel that is nice to grip. The instrument cluster is visually crisp and includes a trip computer with an Eco indicator that lights up to affirm whenever the car is driven efficiently. The driver’s seat is fairly sized and more importantly, comfortable. The seat cushions are firm and provide good under-thigh support (making them favorable even for long drives) while the side bolsters on the seats are ergonomic and support the back, keeping you snug in a comfortable driving position.

Ultimately, the strength of the top-of-the-line P688,000 Grand i10 (it starts at P518,000)  is truly in the impressive, upscale features that it offers for a car in its segment. Once inside, you immediately catch sight of the large, LCD touchscreen with AM/FM radio, that is CD/DVD/MP3 player-ready, and more impressively, NAVI-capable. The LCD doubles up as a rear-view camera when backing up, and displays a real handy measurement grid that assists the driver in calculating the car’s distance from obstacles in the rear. Furthermore, the head unit includes niceties such as a USB slot, an auxiliary input and iPod connectivity with Bluetooth capability that collectively ‘up’ the multimedia experience as your songs are played on the car’s four speakers. Two handy 12V outlets can also be found within the cabin—one in front and the other in the back—making gadget-charging convenient for both front and rear-row passengers.

Among the other class-leading features of the Grand i10 are its 1GB internal memory capacity for storing music files into its versatile audio system; and its awesome rear A/C vent—a first in its category—and though is without climate control, is still a delightful surprise that makes a world of difference to the backseat passengers in a hot country such as ours.

My tiny peeve however, is that the increments of the fan (blower) strength of the A/C could use some fine tuning, as jumping from level 1 to level 2 on the dial almost feels like you’re immediately switching to level 3 or 4. This may actually be favorable for some individuals, but personally I like my fan strength gentle.

As expected, the larger wheelbase of the Grand i10 now makes its cabin the perfect size, for many—there is ample legroom, knee room, headroom and shoulder room for both front and rear passengers, and the cabin abounds with spacious door pockets and smart cubby holes—even the rear parcel shelf offers recesses for people to stick stuff into. The car can comfortably seat four people for long distances, but can accommodate up to three passengers abreast in the rear for shorter trips. In this case, the only inconvenience would be that the rear middle passenger would have to deal with the rear A/C vent console, which would now eat into his legroom.

Exuding a more deluxe experience, this premium small hatch now operates via keyless entry (accessed through the proximity of its transponder) and is adorned with a push-button engine start. Side mirrors look more upscale with their integrated turn indicators, and are now conveniently auto-folding. Other upscale surprises are the tilt steering function and Motor-Driven Power Steering (MDPS) to make maneuverability a breeze.

Definitely in its element while inside the congested cityscape of Manila, the Grand i10 gathers momentum cleanly, and is delightfully zippy, especially in stop-and-go traffic. Squeeze your way through the busy tight spots of the metro and you will not even notice that you are running on a gas-sipping, 3-cylinder engine; although taking it into the fast highway will fairly reveal what it is – a 1.2L subcompact, that is nonetheless more than sufficient to transport you to your out-of-town destination comfortably. Just don’t expect to be summoning power on the fly. No fancy overtaking stunts here, as going past the 100km/h mark has the engine gradually losing its steam and reminding you that it’s just a 3-cylinder engine that’s done a fairly good job of exploiting its assets. Tire and engine noise also become more pronounced while in freeway driving. Nevertheless, this not-so-small car still feels quite steady at high 2-digit speeds; and the steering decently weighs up with speed, and hence gives you adequate confidence and the reassurance of being in control.

Ride comfort is pretty good. The 4-speed automatic shifts smoothly. And its front MacPherson struts combined with its coupled torsion beam axle rear suspension make for a pleasant ride, even through long hours of traveling.

The Grand i10 returns healthy mileage as expected of a small city car, and includes standard safety features such as ABS and dual airbags. Brake bite is very strong (it may actually need some getting used to), and as long as the car is driven within its limits, it is decently planted on the road.

Now with an impressive 256L storage capacity, the Grand i10 is a strong choice to consider for an everyday city car, which you can confidently take out of town for the occasional rendezvous. It is comfortable, chic, fits practically anywhere, and is loaded with the extra bells and whistles for the more discerning customer. Coupled with Hyundai’s trademark 5-year warranty, it is a pretty good contender in the highly competitive small-car-market of the Philippines, with its primary asset as a product that boasts features that are at par with the next higher segment.

Admittedly, it may fall within the pricier end of the segment it’s at, but as with most things in life, you get what you pay for.