Hyundai i10 is not a new moniker for Indians and it offers a bond of trust. We saw multiple models with this name but things changed with the Grand suffix. Hyundai decided to offer a big-car experience with the i10 and succeeded with a great market response. Moving forward, we have the new generation of the Grand-i10 which is called the Nios. But how good is the Hyundai Grand-i10 Nios and where does it fall apart? We tell you just that in the pros and cons of Hyundai Grand-i10 Nios.
Pros:
Looks
The Hyundai Grand-i10 Nios is a great looking hatchback. The front gets the aggressive cascading grille which also incorporates the boomerang-shaped LED DRLs. The side profile is stylish with the rising beltline but the alloy wheels feel small given the bulbous side profile. The rear end is said to resemble the competition but it's stylish nonetheless.
Space and Comfort
The Grand-i10 Nios is a very comfortable and spacious car. And that is not because the Nios is too big due to the use of sensible materials and packaging. The choice of grey and beige interiors really work in case of the Nios and gives a roomier feel. Even the fabric seats are of a lighter material which may get strains easily but make the cabin feel airy. Moreover, Hyundai also trimmed out the door panels to make them thinner and non-intrusive - liberating more shoulder room. On the other side, the ride quality of the Nios is very cushiony too.
Loaded with Features
There is no doubt that Hyundai makes the most-feature loaded cars in the respective segments. The Grand-i10 was always a feature-loaded hatchback and that continues with the Nios as well. We get features like 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment with Android Auto, Apple Car Play and Bluelink, automatic climate control, rear AC vents, steering mounted controls, wireless charging and a lot more. However, we would have appreciated the inclusion of front-adjustable headrests as well.
Multiple Powertrain Options
Hyundai is known to ace this department as all their cars come with a plethora of powertrain options. The Nios being no exception gets four powertrain options - 1.2-litre petrol, 1.2-litre CNG, 1.2-litre diesel and 1.0-litre turbo petrol. Moreover, the 1.2-litre petrol and diesel are also available with AMT which adds great convenience. While the CNG is the one for those looking for efficiency, the turbo petrol is our pick thanks to that rocket engine.
Cons:
Safety
Till now, we used to buy Hyundai cars with the blind trust of safety and commitment. That perception seems to get changed soon as Hyundai hasn't received great results in GNCAP crash tests. Be it the Hyundai Santro or the Grand-i10 Nios, the ratings have been dismal. The Grand-i10 Nios secured just 2 stars in adult safety from GNCAP which is the same as the Santro despite having one extra airbag. Even the Kia Seltos which shares its underpinnings with the Creta scored just 3 stars in GNCAP which is not at all satisfactory for an SUV costing 20 lakh.
Not Feelsome to Drive
The Hyundai Grand-i10 Nios is an effortless car to drive but not made for enthusiasts. Save for the turbo trim, the engines are not performance-oriented and only does the job well. Even if you go with the turbo petrol, the steering is not responsive and the suspension is not very supportive either. Moreover, the driving feel is further deteriorated because of skinnier 15-inch tyres.
Also read: Renault Duster Pros and Cons - No Show But All Go!
Price
Coming to the last con and possibly the biggest one, the price of the Nios is not justified, even more so after the crash test results. The petrol engine of the Nios is good at best and competition does offer better engines. The diesel variants of the Nios are priced similar to the diesel variants of the Ford Figo but the Figo diesel is much better and responsive. Even the Turbo petrol of the Nios is around Rs 1 lakh more than the Sportz 1.2. All this shows that Hyundai could have priced the Nios more competitively given there are not many reasons to ask for that premium.
So here are the pros and cons of the Hyundai Grand-i10 Nios and if you have some more to share, feel free to drop them in comments and also join our WhatsApp group here
