Is the new Hyundai Grand i10 good for families?

The entry-level segment of the marking is bursting at the seams, and manufacturers keep adding tech and spec to make their offering more desirable and unique. The previous Grand i10 was one of my top choices for a small family's daily driver. Hyundai's Grand i10 facelift has made this little city-slicker more fashionable and contemporary, but it's let down by a less-than-smooth ride, a somewhat tricky clutch, and not the most desirable safety rating one could wish for — in the Indian-spec models, at least. 

 

Safety

ABS and EBD with two airbags and ISOFiX child seat fittings on the outer rear seats are as good as it's going to get in the entry level models. This is a little disappointing, because there are quite a few cars in this segment that offer more safety equipment.

The outer rear seats of the Grand i10 also feature 3-point safety belts, but the middle seat has a lap belt. Fluid models also have front fog lamps and rear park distance control.

The Toyota Starlet 1.4 Xi, at R209 000, also offers stability control and 2 airbags. The smaller Toyota Aygo X-Play and X-Clusiv, at R185 000, also have stability control and offer 4 airbags. The entry-level Suzuki Baleno, the donor car on which the Starlet is based, is priced from R221 900, and offers the same safety specifications as the Starlet. The boot in the Baleno and Starlet is significantly larger than the Grand i10's.

Related: Hyundai Grand i10 Review (2020) - One step forward, two steps back

 

Infotainment

The smallish, but effective touchscreen in the Hyundai Grand i10 is quite straightforward to use and offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This in itself can be seen as a safety features since you won't have to fumble with the screen while you drive, instead, you let Siri do your bidding for you. Another plus point is the second USB port for charging your devices. Bluetooth connectivity is standard, of course. 

Related: New vs used Hyundai Grand i10: What are the top 3 differences?

 

Space and practicality

The rear seats still offer outstanding legroom for the segment and if you have two small to adult-sized kids they won't want for space, and there is space for another child in the centre. The boot isn't all that big though, at 260 litres, and two large trolley-schoolbags and 2 soft bags fill up the space completely. I carpool in the afternoon and I had to let a mom know that we wouldn't have space for a third passenger's school bag, since the more senior primary learners have massive bags. You will also struggle to fit baby stroller into the boot, unless it's the very compact type. Fluid models have faux leather seats that make the interior even more family-friendly.

 

Verdict

The new Grand i10 certainly looks trendy and stylish and most of the interior touch points feel upmarket. There is a distinct similarity between the interior layout and design of this hatchback and the Audi A1. The new Hyundai Grand i10 almost feels like a mini Hyundai Kona.

While I love the new i10's look and appreciate the roomy, elegant interior, there are other cars in the segment that may not look as attractive, but offer more power, boot space, and more safety features, such as the above-mentioned Suzuki Baleno and Toyota Starlet. 

If you're looking for a more affordable alternative the the new Grand i10, you can't go wrong with a pre-loved Hyundai Grand i10. The previous-generation model is a lot more fun to drive.

 

Pricing

• Grand i10 1.0 Motion (manual) – R193 900
• Grand i10 1.0Motion (automatic) – R218 900
• Grand i10 1.0 Fluid (manual) – R218 900
• Grand i10 1.2 Fluid (manual) – R233 900
• Grand i10 1.2 Fluid (automatic) – R259 500

(Prices are correct at the time of publishing, but may increase without prior notice. Consult the Hyundai SA website for the latest prices.)

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