Hyundai Santro Xing GL Plus

Hyundai Motors came to India in 1996 with the name of Hyundai Motor India Limited. And since then it has been up and running quite well, so well that it has so quickly emerged out to be on the top charts of India's automobile manufacturer in very short span of time. Hyundai is a company very well known for their Santro car and it has been decade or so that it has not lost its luster. The Hyundai Santro Xing GL Plus model is a middle level model of the Santro Xing series and has a lot to offer when it comes to performance, comfort and safety features. It has been equipped with above average 1.1L engine which performs quite well considering it is made for Indian roads. The fuel economy is decent and 5 speed manual transmission is quite responsive when it comes to acceleration. Not so much body exteriors to look for as Hyundai is just modifying the previous models, by just face lifting or waistline moulding. Also there is an option to equip Toroidal LPG kit which means your drive can be ecodrive and contribute in saving the environment. This is a good family car with 5 persons can sit quite easily and there is plenty of boot space to complete our storage needs. The interiors are good and Hyundai has ensured that is integrated with many safety features as well as precautions. Many options of comfort and convenience are also there if required and it has a complete entertainment package.

Exteriors

The Hyundai Santro Xing GL Plus mainly comes in 6 body colors namely namely Coral White, Sleek Silver, Mushroom, Twilight Blue, Ember Gray and Maharaja Red. The bumpers and the radiator grille has been body coloured while the waistline moulding, rear spoiler and full wheel cover are not available in this specific model. Outside rear view mirrors are adjustable by controls present on passenger side. Also the clear headlamps and tailamps show quite a luster on the car. Now to the dimensions; the overall length, width and height of car measures out to be 3565mm, 1525mm and 1590mm and the wheelbase is about 2380mm. The kerb weight of this car is 854kgs. The front track and the rear track are 1315mm and 1300mm respectively. It also has a detachable bumper insert moulding.

Interiors

The two tone fabric upholstery of beige and brown color in the Hyundai Santro Xing GL Plus gives a sensation to the eyes, the colors very warm and comfortable. Also the fabric which is used is of good quality with no compromise to our comfort. The additions of small things such as cup holders, ash tray and map lamps contribute to the good interiors. This 5 seater car has sporty integrated front seats with head restraints. Also the rear seat can be double folding which proves to be good feature as the car can be used to store a lot of cargo and products. The gear knob has been given a chrome finish and B C pillar trims are also present.

Engine and Performance

The Hyundai Santro Xing GL Plus has an above average Hyundai Epsilon petrol engine which can deliver an engine displacement of about 1086cc . This 1.1L can generate a maximum power of about 62.2bhp at the rate of 5500 rotations per minute and the maximum torque of about 89Nm at the rate for 3000 rotations per minute which aren't the best part of the car. A total of 3 cylinders with 3 valves in each are also there. The engine is neither super charged or turbo charged which is a bit of disappointment. The top speed of this car is claimed at 150kmph and the 100km mark can be touched in less than 15 seconds time period . While the car does provide a good fuel economy of 15kmpl as average for city as well highways but the feature that distinguishes it from the other is that it has the option of installing LPG kit straight from the manufacturer. It has a multipoint fuel injection system. And has a fuel tank of 35 liters .

Braking and Handling

The McPherson Strut and torsion beam axle both with coil spring is a good combination for suspension system of the car. Plus the Power assisted steering wheel provides a good control over the car. The steering type is of rack and pinion and provides a good turning radius of 4.4m. The front brakes and rear brakes are of the following type, Ventilated disc brakes for front wheels and self adjusting drum brakes for rear wheels . It has a steel wheel type with diameter of 13inch and the type 155 / 70 with tubeless radial tyres.

Safety features

One won't be satisfied with safety features provided the Hyundai for this car. It doesn't have any airbags whatsoever; also the ABS with EBD doesn't find any place on this car. But the rest of safety features works in unison to provide some safety. The company does claim that this car has been tested for frontal and offset impact of any kind. The features such as dual side impact beams, child safety locks, self locking doors and keyless entry do give some points for safety. An engine immobilizer is a great addition and so is the collapsible steering column. The Hyundai Santro Xing GL Plus does not have defogger, fog lamps or the parking sensors.

Comfort features

The Hyundai Santro Xing GL Plus offer many comfortable and convenient features such as air conditioner cum heater, odometer, warning lamp for low fuel and many more. The tailgate and fuel lid is remotely operated. The intermittent front wiper and washer are also good additions. There are also cup holders, dual trip meter, and rear parcel tray as per our convenience. The power windows and central locking could have been better and the driver seat can be manually adjusted. Also the lack of audio player and speakers are a big disappointment when it comes to the entertainment.

Pros

Quality service.

Rich in features.

Cons

Dull and basic looks.

Average components and parts.