Introduction

By now, you must have got a fair idea about the new Hyundai Grand i10 Nios. Yes, it's the new-generation of the popular compact hatchback - the Grand i10. It's been around for a couple of months now while positioning itself as one of the best-selling hatchbacks. Here are five reasons that attract a car buyer towards the Nios, and two that might make him look at something else.

Positives

1. Nios means more

The word 'NIOS' means more and Hyundai says that it depicts the persona of an athletic millennial. It is meant to offer more value, more features, more space and more excitement. And it indeed does that as it’s bigger than the current Grand i10 and is packed with more equipment.

2. Upmarket cabin

Not many people have complained about cabins of Hyundai cars in general. And when it comes to the Nios, anyone who steps in for the first time is going to be surprised. Take for example, the layout and design itself. It looks so interesting with the single unit binnacle housing both the 5.3-inch instrument cluster and the eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The hexagonal patterns and textures around, the light grey colours instead of the usual black or beige, all of this is such a welcome change. And since many elements are from the Venue and the Kona, it goes without saying that the material quality is so much better than the older Grand i10.

3. BS6-compliant engine

What we have here is the 1.2-litre petrol engine producing 81bhp and 114Nm of torque. But then, the Nios comes in both petrol and diesel engine options with the choice of an AMT gearbox. For now, the petrol engine is BS6-compliant. This essentially means that you don't have to worry about your car becoming obsolete once the new BS6 norms kick in.

4. Feature packed

So, I'm back into the cabin and why not, it's such a good place to be in. It's not only comfortable, but has got so many features to keep me engaged and entertained. This big touch screen display is paired to an ARKAMYS sound system like the one in the Venue. Apart from Bluetooth, telephony, voice recognition, it supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as well. Not many cars get a fast-charging option yet. But the Nios gets two!

Then, there's automatic climate control, rear ac vents and even a wireless charging dock. Even on the outside there are projector headlamps, boomerang shaped DRLs, roof rails and diamond-cut alloys. Also, as far as safety goes, the Nios boasts of ABS with EBD, dual airbags, rear parking sensors, driver and passenger seatbelt reminder and pretensioners, and even a speed alert system as standard. Phew! It's a very long list.

5. Hyundai brand name

Despite the new tech and all the bells and whistles, what still remains constant is the Hyundai brand name attached to it. This Korean carmaker has already carved out a niche for itself in the Indian market. With so many showrooms and service stations across the country, the brand name resonates with the Indian buyers. Hyundai cars are long lasting and so they do have a good resale value too. The Nios is not going to be any different.

Negatives

1. Bigger clone/ Santro look-alike

Even though the Nios is different than the Grand i10, it has a design language which is identical to the conventional cars from the Hyundai range. So, despite the sporty bits, with this front grille, headlamps, overall shape and profile, one might mistake it for the Santro at first sight. And this is not something an owner would like to hear from anyone, especially when he has paid quite a premium over the Santro's price.

2. Inconsistent ride quality

Though I love how smooth the engine is and how light the controls are, I have one grouse about its ride quality. When in the back seat, the bounciness is quite evident making you uncomfortable, which is why I am still in this seat. Hyundai should have offered a good rebound damping for the rear suspension, like it's for the front. That said, it's still nice and well-suited to our road conditions at slow speeds. But out on the highway, I'm going to choose the front seats.

Conclusion

Not any big complains then. The Hyundai Nios is a well-rounded package with its quirky styling, smooth refined engines and a feature-packed cabin, which has an ambience a notch above what its rivals have to offer.

Pictures by Kapil Angane