Santro at one point was the go-to car for the middle-class audience in India. The car had a strong fan base as it was the first mass-market alternative to the Maruti 800 and was one in fact even considered as an upgrade form the small 800. It earned a lot of love and dominated the mass market before others caught up. It is also considered as an inspiration for vehicles of the taller 4 seaters like WagonR Since then the car hasn’t seen any global release and the model was shelved. That was when brought back by the Korean company to be released again exclusively in India. In its last run, it managed to become a go-to car solely because the alternative wasn’t being liked. However, since then the segment has evolved and so has the audience. The middle-class in India today is altogether different. People now want several features in their car, want it to be stylish and much more. This makes the decision of launching the vehicle very bold. The segment currently has Grand i10 and Eon dominating. To break in the market brand name alone won’t work. To create a difference the car has to show some significant level of upgrades at multiple levels. Let us take a closer look at the vehicle to understand the future.
EXTERIOR
The way cars looked at are changed. It is something that the makers have acknowledged. Hence, to no one’s surprise, this car is 45mm longer and 120mm wider than the older Santro. Even the wheelbase is 20mm longer. However, the company hasn’t gone for their tall boy approach which turned out to be the game changes for their last generation. This time around the company has made a bigger car but it doesn’t look that tall. It has a structure similar to that of Grand i10. The grille extends wide and encompasses the high-mounted fog lamps, making it look abnormally large. This gives the car a rather odd look. For a regular middle-class family, the section which should be the buyers of this car, a look like this is rather unusual. This is a segment which buys the car solely for the basic functions of a car. Radicalization in this portion wasn’t really required. However, Santro back when it was launched was a different style. That didn’t take away buyers away from the vehicle. It shouldn’t happen this round too. The tail too takes a similar approach. It has been styled way too carefully than necessary. Not that the car gives them any space but somehow they manage to squeeze in design elements. One which stands out is the boomerang creases over the front-wheel arch, and that over the rear wheel arch. Overall the model is fun to look at. Not that it was going to the deciding factor but given the tightness of the market this for sure is something a buyer might look out for. Looks at the end of the day matter. Will buyers like this look though is a different question altogether.
Interior
Budget cars don’t generate excitement when you step into them. They simply were never built to give any kind of emotion to the driver. With this car, Hyundai manages to bring in the “wow” factor. Not your grand-styled one but a wow factor for the tight budget audience. The dashboard has been built attractively and looks as if some high-level finishing touches have been placed on it. At the centre of the dashboard is the 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system loaded with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and functions very slickly. The screen doubles as a reversing camera. Also, there are buttons to the right of the steering column to power-adjust the outside mirrors. Dials are hard and the air condition knobs are a bit sticky. There are some key missing features that make the experience a bit inconvenient – like no height adjustment for the front seats and seatbelts, the lack of any adjustment for the steering, and no external release for the tailgate. Some things like the absence of front and rear fixed headrests and the lack of a door lock/unlock button make the overall riding experience also a bit unsafe. They should have been included for basic safety.You can open the boot either with the key, or reach for the lever in the driver’s footwell. The storage also otherwise is also fair. The car also provides space for body movement to its best extent. Despite the fact that it doesn’t follow the tall boy approach, it provides ample head space and in the majority of the portions actually gives in more room than the last generations. Seats are also comfortable.
Driving
The engine is not new. It’s not the 1.0-litre (Kappa II) engine from the Eon, but instead, is the same 1.1-litre Epsilon engine (G4HG) that was in the old Santro Xing and in the original i10. This most probably has been done to save cost. However, starting up the car you’ll understand that the engine has been worked on. There is almost no vibration when the car starts. In fact even while moving or while staying idle the engine provides no vibration. The engine is responsive and for a town, the ride provides the agility required to move from one place to another smoothly. In higher gears, at lower revs, the ride is the smoothest.The car’s performance is available from as low as 1,000rpm and remains strong throughout the mid-range. It’s only when you cross the 5,000rpm mark that it things become a bit harsh. Riding experience is the strongest point of the car. It provides a smooth and comfortable experience. It can absorb shocks with a high level of maturity. It can travel a significant distance without any trouble. IT can move in traffic easily. And despite an increase in size, it doesn’t become a burden on the driver. This makes it rather desirable when it comes to strong traffic city areas. Overall provides a good driving experience. A thing not very common in this segment.
Should I buy One
One needs to understand who the car is targeting. Despite giving certain flashes one must remember that this isn’t a premium vehicle. It has a core target audience which is being given multiple new level services. The second thing that one must know is the use. The car provides a lot for its cost but because of budget issues, it cannot cover everything. This segment has grown and provides a range. The car is being placed against the elites of its segment but you must remember what you want before you invest in this vehicle. Overall a fun and a good ride. Buying it is a smart decision because of the number of functions the car provides.