With outputs of 64 kW and 120 Nm, the
Grand's four-cylinder petrol engine punches above its 1.25-litre displacement.
Although it's a keen-revving unit, it isn't aurally intrusive thanks in part to
improved aerodynamic NVH suppression and tall gearing, the latter which ensures
that highway speeds don't send the rev needle hard right. Those taller ratios
do, however, knock some wind out of the engine's sails when encountering
inclines. Our mixed-use fuel route test returned a frugal 6.9 litres/100 km,
marginally bettering the fuel index figure and sitting just about on par with
its featured rivals and others in its bracket.
While the Grand broadly acquits itself well
in cut-and-thrust commuting and the gearshift has a snappy, precise action, the
clutch is grabby at low speeds and, as such, requires measured pedal modulation
to ensure smooth progress.
Well-contoured
front seats offer good support. Integrated neck restraints look out of place in
an otherwise premium hatchback
Members of the test team also found that
the electric power steering, although light and fingertip-twirly enough to make
town driving a pleasure, possessed a few quirks when pressing on, the most
noticeable of which is imprecision as well as a weak self-centring action that
requires small but constant correction.
Even so, the Grand imparts an impression of
being more planted and substantial than its 963 kg kerb weight would suggest,
ensuring that it doesn't seem out of its depth on the highway. Body control is
predictable, if slightly top-heavy and the MacPherson front/ torsion-beam rear
suspension configuration serves up an assured and supple ride that errs on the
choppy side only when encountering larger road scars.
As with most Koreans, the Grand features a
standard features list that leaves most of its rivals in the shade. Our test
unit's Fluid specification includes air-conditioning, a CD/ MP3/radio-equipped
audio system with USB, iPod connectivity and RDS (not always a given on Korean
cars). Bluetooth with audio streaming, electric windows all-round, electric
mirrors, colour-coded exterior trim and remote central locking.
Door
pocket is wide enough for you to pick a coin from its base. All 4 doors get 1
liter bottle holders
There are a couple of gaps in the Grand's
safety specification, however. Yes, the all-important dual front airbags and
ABS, serving up an average-rated 0-100 km/h braking time of 3.21 seconds, are
present. But, given that many of the Grand's potential customers are likely to
have a family in tow, the omission of rear Isofix child-seat anchorage points
is something of a concern.
Test Summary
A comparison of the Grand with the
venerable Getz should be taken with a pinch of the proverbial condiment because
the former doesn't completely measure up to the latter, a vehicle that's still
sought after on the second-hand market. What's more, the Getz's competition
wasn't nearly as accomplished as the Grand's.
Rear
seat offers adequate back & under-thigh support. Legroom has noticeably
improved over the old i10, due to the wheelbase increase of 40 mm
Price-wise, the new car spans the
$13,300-to-$15,200 gap between the i10 and i20, but the small differences in
overall specification and packaging between this particular model and the
top-spec i10 Fluid see buyers to whom spec trumps space choosing the latter.
That said, the Grand is by no means an
inferior choice as a light hatchback. The Indian-built runabout is well
equipped, solid and substantial, and spacious enough to cope with most things
thrown its way.
