Hyundai released a heavily revised version of its Grand i10 towards the end of 2020. The updates include a refreshed exterior design and additional interior features that make it worth considering in this bustling segment.
To gauge how competitive the Grand i10 is, we will be comparing it to Kia’s recently introduced Picanto X-Line and Volkswagen’s Polo Vivo, which is not only built locally but also ranks as the best-selling passenger vehicle in South Africa on a regular basis. Let us compare the contenders!
Hyundai Grand i10 1.2 Fluid auto
The Fluid auto is the flagship Grand i10 model locally, and form part of a five-model-strong range with two engine options and the choice of a manual or automatic gearbox. Hyundai has also made two-tone exterior paint an option on the Fiery Red or Polar White hues, which can be ordered with a contrasting black roof.
Engine, performance and consumption
The Grand i10 that we have chosen for this comparison is powered by a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated engine that produces 61kW and 114m of torque. The engine is paired with a 4-speed automatic gearbox that results in a claimed fuel consumption figure of 6.9L/100km aided by the lowest kerb weight here. Hyundai claims that the Grand i10 will sprint to 100km/h in 14.5 seconds and go on to a top speed of 160km/h, for those interested.
Standard equipment
As the flagship within the Grand i10 range, the Fluid auto gets a 6.2-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, 15-inch alloy wheels, artificial leather seats, a multi-function steering wheel, front fog lights, front and rear electric windows, electrically adjustable side mirrors, remote central locking and airconditioning.
Safety
The Grand i10 appears to suffer in the safety department, achieving just a 2-Star rating in a recent Global NCAP test, with 2-Stars for adult occupant safety and 2-Stars for child occupant safety. The caveat here is that local grand i10 models are likely safer than the India-spec products tested as local models get rear ISOFIX child seat anchor points Other safety items include dual front airbags, rear PDC and ABS with EBD.
Practicality
The Grand i10 makes up ground in the practicality department, despite not being the biggest vehicle here, it offers the most capacious boot and the best ground clearance, at 157mm.
Price and value proposition
The Hyundai comes second to the Kia in the pricing stakes, and offers an inferior service plan of just 1-year.15 000km, however, it provides the best warranty of 5-years/150 000 km for the vehicle and a 7-year/200 000km drivetrain warranty.
The competition
Kia Picanto 1.2 X-Line auto
The Picanto is the smallest vehicle in this comparison, but it is also the cheapest and the only contender to feature faux SUV styling which has been a bit hit with consumers in the past. Powering the Picanto is the same 1.2-litre engine and 4-speed automatic gearbox as the Grand i10 with the same 61kW output but a superior 122Nm of torque.
The Picanto, on paper, is the most efficient of the trio too, with a consumption figure some 1.0L/100km better than the Hyundai, despite being 69kg heavier than the Grand i10. From a practicality perspective, the Picanto has the smallest boot, at 255-litres, not too far off of the Vivo, however, the X-Line’s boot expands with the rear seats folded flat to offer the most space at 1 010-litres versus 910-litres in the Hyundai and 952-litres in the Volkswagen.
The X-Line provides good specification as standard too, with a colour touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto functionality and a reverse camera, part cloth/artificial leather seats, front and rear electric windows, electrically adjustable side mirrors, 15-inch alloy wheels, remote central locking, a multifunction steering wheel and airconditioning.
The Picanto was tested by Euro NCAP back in 2011, where it achieved a 4-Star rating, however, the Global NCAP programme has tested one as recently as 2018 where it achieved 3-Stars for adult occupant safety and 2-Stars for child occupant safety. Standard safety kit includes two front airbags, ABS with EBD, rear ISOFIX child seat anchor points, front fog lights and a rear PDC.
From a value for money perspective, the Kia does well, coming in at R11 505 less than the Hyundai while offering the best service plan at 2-years/30 000km and the second-best warranty at 5-years/unlimited mileage.
Volkswagen Polo Vivo 1.6 Comfortline auto
The Polo Vivo is the car to beat in this segment, with monthly sales figures making it the most popular vehicle in South Africa if we are looking at the passenger vehicle segment. The Vivo gets the most powerful engine here, with 77 kW and 153 Nm of torque and is the only model with the 6-speed automatic gearbox. The Vivo is also the heaviest of the trio, by over 100kg, which leaves it middle of the pack when it comes to claimed consumption which is 6.9L/100km.
In terms of specification, the Vivo, in Comfortline guise, comes with cloth seats, remote central locking, a multifunction steering wheel, front fog lamps, a basic R140G infotainments system with Bluetooth, USB and SD compatibility, front electric windows and steel wheels with hub caps.
From a safety perspective, the Vivo is the only product of the trio to feature stability control and matches the dual front airbags and rear ISOFIX child seat anchor points but loses out on rear park distance control and a rear-view camera. The Vivo is yet to be crash-tested, however, it is based on the previous generation Polo, which was tested in 2009 by the Euro NCAP where it achieved a 5-Star rating, however, this rating expired in 2016, but should still ensure that the Vivo is safe.
At the time of writing, the Vivo used for this comparison retailed for R270 800, making it expensive when we consider that there is no standard service plan and it has the shortest warranty, which spans just 3-years/120 000km.
Facts and figures:
|
|
Hyundai Grand i10 1.2 Fluid auto |
Kia Picanto 1.2 X-Line auto |
Volkswagen Polo Vivo 1.6 Comfortline auto |
|
Engine size (cyl/size) |
4-cyl, 1.2-litre petrol |
4-cyl, 1.2-litre petrol |
4-cyl, 1.6-litre petrol |
|
Power/Torque |
61 kW/114 Nm |
61 kW/122 Nm |
77 kW/153 Nm |
|
Kerb Weight |
916 kg |
985 kg |
1 102 kg |
|
Length (mm) |
3 805 |
3 595 |
3 972 |
|
Airbag count |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Luggage capacity |
360 litres |
255 litres |
280 litres |
|
Top Speed (km/h) * |
160 |
160 |
188 |
|
Ave Consumption * |
6.9 L/100 km |
5.9 L/100 km |
6.1 L/100 km |
|
Warranty |
5 yr/150 000 km vehicle & 7-year/200 000km drivetrain |
5 yr/unlimited km |
3 yr/120 000 km |
|
Price |
R 263 500 |
R 251 995 |
R 270 800 |
* Manufacturer's claimed figures.
Pricing was all-inclusive at the time of writing but may change without prior notice.
Verdict
Looking at the figures it quickly becomes clear that both South Korean competitors offer more value for money. The Volkswagen is likely to hold its value best, however, it is the most expensive product here, with the least specification and has the worst standard warranty/service plan.
That leaves the Picanto and Grand i10 to battle it out. The Picanto appears to offer the best value for money, providing similar specification to the Grand i10, but at a lower price. The Grand i10 largely justifies its slight price premium by being a physically bigger car though. In today’s comparison, we are awarding the crown to the Kia Picanto X-Line thanks to its solid packaging and lower price point. Our caveat is for those looking for a bigger car, where the Grand i10 may provide the more suitable package.
