''The spiritual successor to the
Getz." That's the parallel with which Hyundai SA has drawn the Grand i10.
It's an ambitious comparison, to say the least. The Getz marked a turn in
Hyundai's fortunes and wasn't a grudge purchase, but rather a genuine choice
for those seeking a quality small hatchback.
That in itself represents a huge pair of
boots to fill, but it's not the only challenging proviso this model has to
meet. It also has to span the gap between Hyundai's dinky i10 A-segment
offering and the well-established B-segment staple that is the i20. So, can the
Grand effectively cover both these bases?
The
Hyundai Grand i10 1.25 Fluid offers decent looks, combined with reasonable
specification
To paint the bigger picture of where the
Grand fits into the overall Hyundai landscape: it's essentially an Indian-built
version of what is, in the European market, the second-generation i10, but with
a wheelbase stretched over that of the standard car. Its introduction to
Hyundai's local line-up sees the first-generation i10 soldiering on. Its formerly
range-topping 1.25 Glide manual model bows out to create a $13,290 entry point
for the Motion-spec Grand that culminates in the range-topping $15,190
Fluid-spec automatic. The new car manages to bridge the price gap between our
local i10 and i20 offerings.
It's the first compact model to which
Hyundai has properly applied its Fluidic design language, with such signature
touches as the hexagonal front air dam, swept-back headlamps with eyebrow
apexes that flow towards the A-pillars and prominent swage lines running along
the flanks all present and accounted for. Stretched over a body that's 180 mm
longer, 65 mm wider and 20 mm lower than that of its smaller sibling, the
Grand's stance is a touch more purposeful, but some testers felt that the
overall styling, while neat enough in its own right, lacks the i10's dumpy,
cheeky charm.
The
i10's interiors have grown up, with the Grand wearing a more mature design on
the inside
In addition to 14-inch alloy wheels, which
are standard across the Grand range, the Fluid specification ushers in front
foglamps and colour coding for the door handles and wing mirrors, the latter
featuring integrated indicators.
When it arrived on the market, the Getz's
impressive interior quality was something of a surprise in its segment. And,
while many have grown accustomed to Hyundai's ability to bolt together stylish,
well-made interiors, the Grand's cabin is still substantial and spacious enough
to belie its budget bearing.
Although it's 45 mm longer in the wheelbase
than the i10, the Grand's overall cabin dimensions, bar a few millimetres of
additional shoulder- and legroom, are little changed from those of the smaller
car. But the Grand atones for the i10's main drawback, its 144 dm3 boot, with a
luggage compartment measuring 184 dm3. It additionally has 152 dm3 more utility
space. Supplementing a reasonably accommodating glovebox is a useful, hidden
oddment drawer.
Simple
instrument cluster is easy to read
As with the i10, the Grand's large
glasshouse and supportive, high-sited seats afford a good view of your
surroundings and lend the cabin an airy feel.
As neatly executed as the Grand's cabin is,
the swathes of dark plastic makes the interior feel a bit sombre. Fortunately,
there's a $475 colour trim package that offers a choice of orange or red seat
and facia-trim panels to lift the ambience.
