Clash Of Segments: Hyundai Santro vs Hyundai Grand i10 - Which Car To Buy?

Which of the two Hyundai cars should you put your money on? We find out

The Hyundai Santro has been launched in India at prices ranging from Rs 3.90 lakh to Rs 5.64 lakh. At this price range some of its variants inevitably go up against its stablemate, the Grand i10, which retails at prices ranging from Rs 4.94 lakh to Rs 7.02 lakh (all ex-showroom Delhi). So, which of the two Hyundais should you go for? Let’s find out.

Before we get down to comparing specific variants, let’s take a look at the major differences between the two.

Hyundai Santro	Hyundai Grand i10
A compact hatchback: Unlike the previous Santro, which was an entry-level offering, the new Santro is a compact hatchback, which is a segment above.	A mid-size hatchback: The Grand i10, on the other hand, is a mid-size hatchback which sits between compact hatchbacks like the Tiago and premium hatchbacks like the Baleno.
CNG fuel option: Like its rivals, the Santro gets a bi-fuel option. It is powered by the same 1.1-litre petrol engine as the petrol Santro. It makes 59PS/84Nm with a 5-speed MT and has a mileage of 30.48km/kg.	Diesel fuel option: Along with a 1.2-litre petrol engine the Grand i10 gets a 1.2-litre diesel engine as well. It makes 75PS/190Nm with a 5-speed MT.
AMT Transmission: Along with a 5-speed MT, the petrol Santro is also available with an AMT. However, it is limited to the Magna and Sportz variants only.	Torque Converter AT: While the Santro gets an AMT, the petrol Grand i10 gets an ageing 4-speed torque converter AT in Magna and Sportz variants.
Rivals: Maruti WagonR, Celerio, Tata Tiago and Datsun GO	Rivals: Maruti Swift, Ignis, Mahindra KUV100 and Honda Brio

• The Grand i10 gets a larger, more powerful engine which makes 14PS/14Nm more than the Santro’s 1.1-litre motor.
• Both cars get a 5-speed MT along with an optional automatic gearbox. Where the Grand i10 gets a 4-speed torque converter unit, the Santro is equipped with an AMT.

• Since the Grand i10 belongs to a segment above, it is longer and wider than the Santro.
• It also has a longer wheelbase, which should ideally result in more legroom for rear occupants.
• The Santro is the taller car of the two.

Comparable Variants

Hyundai Santro Sportz vs Hyundai Grand i10 Era

Model	Price
Hyundai Santro Sportz	Rs 4.99 lakh
Hyundai Grand i10 Era	Rs 4.94 lakh
Difference	Rs 5,000 (Santro is more expensive)

Common Features:

Aesthetics: Body-coloured bumpers

Safety: Driver airbag and ABS with EBD

Comfort: Power steering, manual AC and front power windows

What Hyundai Santro Sportz gets over Hyundai Grand i10 Era: central locking with keyless entry, body-coloured ORVMs, door handles, front fog lamps, wheel covers, day/night IRVM, rear defogger, electrically adjustable ORVMs with turn indicators, 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, rear AC vents, eco coating and rear power windows.

What Hyundai Grand i10 Era gets over Hyundai Santro Sportz: Passenger-side airbag

Verdict: Only the Grand i10 here gets the basic safety feature suite (dual front airbags and ABS) that is a must-have for any car that one should buy. So clearly, despite the lack of other features that offer convenience, it's the Grand i10 that we'd recommend to people buying a car for their family over the Santro. But the Santro does come close, with driver side airbag and ABS with EBD. So if you are looking for a car for only personal use, you should go for the Hyundai Santro as it is the better equipped car of the two.

Also Read: Hyundai Santro vs Maruti Suzuki Celerio: Variants Comparison

Hyundai Santro Asta vs Hyundai Grand i10 Magna

Model	Price
Hyundai Santro Asta	Rs 5.45 lakh
Hyundai Grand i10 Magna	Rs 5.69 lakh
Difference	Rs 24,000 (Grand i10 is more expensive)

Common Features (over previous variants):

Safety: Dual front airbags

Aesthetics: Wheel covers and body-coloured ORVMs and door handles.

Infotainment system: Music system with Bluetooth and steering-mounted controls.

Other features: Central locking, day/night IRVM, rear AC vents, rear power windows and electrically adjustable ORVMs.

What Hyundai Santro Asta gets over Hyundai Grand i10 Magna: Rear parking sensors, parking camera, keyless entry, front fog lamps, wheel covers, day/night IRVM, rear defogger, ORVMs with turn indicators, rear washer and wiper, 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and eco coating.

What Grand i10 Magna gets over Santro Asta: None

Verdict: The Santro is our pick here. It is Rs 24,000 more affordable than the Grand i10 and gets a lot more features

Also Read: Hyundai Santro vs Tata Tiago: Variants Comparison

Reader’s Note:

Hyundai Santro CNG: Like its competitors, the Santro is also available with CNG fuel option in the Magna and Sportz variants. It is powered by the same 1.1-litre engine that powers the petrol Santro. It makes 59PS/84Nm with a 5-speed transmission. The CNG Santro has a fuel economy figure of 30.48kg/gm.

Hyundai Grand i10 Diesel: Where the Santro gets a CNG fuel option with petrol, the Grand i10 gets a diesel fuel option with petrol. The diesel Grand i10 is powered by a 1.2-litre engine that makes 75PS/ 190Nm with a 5-speed MT.

Before we sign off, here’s the full price list of both the cars:

Hyundai Santro	Hyundai Grand i10
D-Lite: Rs 3.90 lakh	-
Era: Rs 4.24 lakh	-
Magna: Rs 4.57 lakh	-
Sportz: Rs 4.99 lakh	Era: Rs 4.94 lakh
Asta: Rs 5.45 lakh	Magna: Rs 5.69 lakh
-	Sportz: Rs 5.99 lakh
-	Sportz Dual Tone: Rs 6.33 lakh
-	Asta: Rs 6.59 lakh
Magna AMT: Rs 5.18 lakh
Sportz AMT: Rs 5.46 lakh
	Magna AT: Rs 6.49 lakh
	Sportz AT: Rs 7.02 lakh

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