Hyundai i10 - The cheeky devil that won hearts of millions

Hyundai forayed into Indian auto market 13 years before. And in this 13 years time they have changed the landscape of the Indian auto market and they have a success story written for them in the Indian auto industry. It will be no surprise if the success story of Hyundai in India and in the international market is taken as a case study by B schools.

Launches of Hyundai in the A2 and A3 segment had gotten good response from the Indian auto enthusiasts and one should not ignore the company had to battle competition from Maruti severely to get the response. That said the company has astutely planned its launches against the likes of the Marutis.

Hyundai Santro was launched a year later than the Wagon R launch, Getz was launched a year after the Maruti Swift was launched, Hyundai Verna was launched almost a year earlier than the Maruti SX4 did and the Hyundai i10 was launched a year after Maruti A Star. That is not all, Hyundai is planning to bring low cost hatch by 2012 which will go past the Maruti's low cost model.

Coming back to our cheeky devil i10, it was launched to discontinue the Hyundai Santro as it was launched with a total make over of the model. Surprising the market doesn't want to give adieu to the oldie; there are still good number of takers for the 12-year-old Hyundai Santro. Boy, the Hyundai's portfolio looks really huge. The Hyundai i10 is pitting against likes of Maruti's Ritz, A-Star and Estilo. Maruti Alto doesn't belong to the segment.

As regards the build quality you will see a world of difference between the quality of Marutis and the Hyundais, the Hyundai i10 looks well-built and you will see quality components going into the interiors as well; any day will outscore the Maruti A-Star and the Estilo, although Ritz can beat the i10 for its peppy engine and uber cool handling.

As regards looks, the bumpers come with flat corners, the headlamps and the tail lamps look trendy, the lower front grille accents the beauty along with the fog lamps. One can say looking at dual front grille and flattened bumpers to be Hyundai characteristic. They kind of give a sporty and nerdy look to the car. It may not be liked by all but it kind of doesn't deter onlookers glance. The finish and the fit are top notch.

Go into the cabin to be only awed by beige interiors, but certainly it looks cramped...it seriously is for 2+2 seating but makes you feel grumpy if your family members are tall. The interiors are made livelier further by blue illumination and the seating upholstery is good (but its not big deal to expect better upholstery in the top variant). The Hyundai i10 looks richer in terms of features too rear parking sensors, Bluetooth connectivity, electric adjustable ORVMs and a gear shift prompt sensor which aids in enhancing mileage. However these features are part of top variant, the i10 Asta.

The car is powered by a 1086cc four-cylinder iRDE2 engine that belts out 68 bhp @5500 rpm this is a 3 bhp more than the Santro and the peak torque is 112 nm @4000 rpm. But if you see the output from Kappa2 engine (1197cc 16-valve 1.2l petrol DOHC) it belts little more power (78.9 bhp @ 5800 rpm) and the variable timing valve technology (VTVT) improves on the low end torque as well as improving on the fuel efficiency (20.36 kmpl) making it more attractive than before.

You'd certainly feel the loss of punch in the initial pick up with the old Hyundai i10 but the Kappa2 engine wali soothes you on that and you'd yell its better than the other 1.2l engine cars in the market. The 5 speed gearbox takes you to ecstasy, it's very smooth and kind of gives you 'driving a sedan' feeling.



It cruises very well in the 80 to 100 kmph speed range. I can say unhesitatingly that Hyundai i10 is the best car for city driving as maneuvering the car is child's play (you cant ask for better than a 4.7 m turning radius). Take it on long drives along highways you'll say the motor is exhausted and wants more.

Old Hyundai Santro owners might not like the Hyundai i10, but certainly will the new 1.2l Kappa2 i10. Finally, I can say that the Hyundai i10 makes a good buy and with and with great service network (next to the Maruti's) and with AT option I'd say it is one of the best bets in the hatches segment a first time driver/buyer too can go buy. The mileage, great driveability, awesome paint finish and attractive interiors will continue to be USPs of the i10 and I don't see another competitor coming its way in the near future. Stop any excuses and go for it.