My Hyundai Grand i10 - Much more than value for money....

My Hyundai Grand i10 - Much more than value for money....

Need & Consideration set: My first car was a Hyundai Santro XL that I had bought way back in 2004. Since my car was aging, I was looking for a replacement car which offered an equally good driving comfort and as well the zippy drive that Santro had been renowned for. Given that budget was not a major consideration, I had been reviewing Maruti Swift, Honda Jazz and Ertiga, largely because of the overall driving posture and comfort. In summary, the key need was: • A car to support the local driving needs for driving in busy markets and traffic conditions of Gurgaon • Good driving comfort since I occasionally also use it for long drives (500-600 Kms per trip) • Mileage efficiency and low maintenance Final Purchase: I finally bought a Hyundai Grand i10 (Asta Optional) after comparing its features amongst its peers in the segment and am totally satisfied with my decision, with absolutely no regrets and pure delight. Features: The key features that made me sway towards a Hyundai Grand i10 (Asta Optional) were the following that met my key needs: 1. Asta offered a driving height as well as steering tilt adjustment which did help me get a comparable driving experience as I was used to with my Hyundai Santro. 2. The steering mounted controls were amongst the best amongst the peers. 3. Overall space utilization for back seat passengers was really good offering a good leg space. 4. Finally, the keyless entry and related features were amongst the best in peer group, particularly the way every scenario has been thought out and planned by the manufacturer for e.g. if one loses the key within the car, the doors do not lock and the alarm is sounded by the car. Exteriors: In particular, I liked the exterior look and finishing of the car which gives it a very sporty look with the rear spoiler as well as top rails. Add to it the rear wiper and the alloy wheels, the car really gets a sporty look yet maintains its compact outlook suited to a zippy car like Grand i10. Driving Comfort: I would rate the car very highly on the driving comfort since that was the key need I was looking at with my decision to buy a new car, irrespective of the budget. This is not because I purchased this car but largely because of the straight sitting posture and smooth driving comfort that the car provides. My second car is a Honda City so the comparison benchmark is really high that way. In particular, I would rate the car high on the following parameters related to the driving comfort: 1. Seat height and steering tilt adjustment. 2. Zippy drive allowing for quick maneuvering in busy traffic conditions 3. Excellent steering mounted controls for calling, trip measurement as well as stereo controls 4. Ergonomically designed driving panel leading to no nonsense / minimal distractions 5. Auto down driver window 6. Excellent utilization of space for cup holders and the utility box below the Stereo 7. Keyless control features 8. The rear A/C vent is another innovative utility for a car in this segment Performance: Overall I am very satisfied with the car’s performance, particularly: 1. Mileage of about 13-14 Kmpl in local conditions (Gurgaon traffic) 2. Excellent interior space management 3. Zero to No noise during engine start 4. No maintenance (so good so far) What I liked the most? What I liked the most about the car is its overall driving comfort as detailed in the earlier section. Add to it the fact that the car is quite economical for the features offered and does make excellent utilization of the interior space. What could be better? Few things that I feel could have been better in the car, which I don’t think would be asking for too much are: 1. Overall interior color theme of the car could have been better if Hyundai had opted for beige / grey interiors, though color schemes are mostly individual choices. 2. The integrated stereo system could have been provided with touch screen controls given that most of the upcoming cars are now providing this feature. Final Verdict Overall, this car is a very good buy in the segment given the driving comfort and control that the machine has to offer. No amount of extra money spent on accessories can make up for a better driving comfort so to me this was a non-negotiable. Overall very satisfied with the purchase and would recommend the same to other users looking at Maruti Swift, Ertiga, Celerio or a Honda Jazz.