Hyundai has launched the facelifted Grand i10 in India. The B-segment hatchback has got cosmetic updates and a new diesel engine with the facelift and is available in both petrol and diesel engine options. Priced between Rs 4.58 lakh to Rs 6.39 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) for the petrol and Rs 5.68 lakh to Rs 7.32 lakh for the diesel variants, the facelifted Grand i10 continues its fray with the B-Segment hatchbacks and here is a competition check on how the new Grand i10 fairs against its rivals in the Indian market.
The Swift and the Grand i10 have always been fierce rivals and it looks the South Korean automaker’s hatchback will be hoping to bite into the ageing Swift’s sale until the new model arrives. With the introduction of a new 74bhp, 1.2-litre diesel engine in place of the 1.1-litre, the difference between the powertrain of these two cars narrowed down further. The 1.3-litre diesel in the Swift produces identical 74bhp. The Swift, however, misses out on automatic transmission and is slightly expensive than the Grand i10.
The Figo has been fitted with a more powerful engine options compared to Grand i10. In fact, the 1.5-litre diesel variant is one of the most powerful B-Segment hatchbacks in India with 99bhp and 215Nm available on tap. Both the cars provide automatic transmission only with the petrol variant. The Grand i10 undercuts the Figo in pricing and provides a decent level of equipment as well.
The newest kid on the block is the Ignis. Both these cars are evenly matched in terms of powertrain, but the Ignis scores some extra brownie points for standard safety features, new design and upright tall-boyish stance. The pricing isn’t too different between the two either but the top-end Ignis crosses the B-segment pricing. The ABS is available only in the top-end Asta variant in the Grand i10 whereas it is available as standard in the Ignis. The Ignis is a bit funkier option of the two.
The Etios is lowest selling car here and is slightly more expensive than the Grand i10. It is available in both petrol and diesel options but doesn’t provide an automatic transmission. Despite a bit of dullness, the Liva is one of the most spacious hatchback in the segment. It also comes with dual airbags and ABS with EBD as standard across the range.
The Bolt initiated Tata’s new design philosophy. It comes with first-in-segment driving modes but loses out on the automatic transmission when compared to the Grand i10. The engine and power outputs are almost identical between the two; especially in the diesel guise. The Grand i10 looks more subtle and modern of the two, since most of the Bolt’s design element, the silhouette for instance, still reminds of Tata cars of yesteryear. But the Bolt’s competitive pricing, coupled with a spacious cabin helps the Bolt’s proposition against the Grand i10.
Honda has updated the Brio hatchback recently. The Brio’s peppy 1.2-litre i-VTEC petrol engine and quality handling set a benchmark for the other hatchbacks in the segment to reckon with. Both the cars offer the automatic transmission in petrol variant only. Despite being updated just last year, the Brio feels old compared to the updated Grand i10. The Grand i10 has an upper hand since the Brio doesn’t have a diesel engine option.
