The all-new Hyundai Santro breathes the nostalgia of when Hyundai entered the Indian car market with this revolutionary small car. Can the new Santro replicate the same magic?
In human life, nostalgia plays a significant role. It is this very feeling that urges manufacturers to return with discontinued products. The new Hyundai Santro is the case of this notion. The first generation Santro helped Hyundai capture a lot of market share after its entry in India. However, it would be interesting to see, whether Hyundai Santro manages to give a strong competition to the likes of WagonR, Tiago, Celerio, and Figo among others.
Here in this article, we will have a look at the detailed review of Santro. We will have a look at the interior, exterior, engine options, and pricing of this car. The other important aspects related to this car will also be covered. Let's take a look.
Exterior
Not only in the name but in many other aspects, Nostalgia is intact. The design is more consistent. The front of the car is a large unit with unique design elements in the bumper. Headlamps are positioned on top of the grille and fog lights are placed away from the headlamp in one finger length. Some boomerang-like details are available on the sides. Hyundai has equipped the Santro with 14-inch wheels and even the top-specific variant receives wheel cover rather than alloys. On the back, the tail lights appear a little small.
Interior
Since it's a budget car, the Hyundai Santro has got a fixed steering along with a non-height adjustable driver's seat. Also fixed are the headrests. Even the power window switches are on the center console, making access to them a bit tricky, particularly at night. The cabin is black but looks premium. Apple and Android connectivity is supported by the infotainment system. The AC controls are a bit tacky, though.
Every door has a holder for a 1-liter water bottle. You get a good view all around like the previous car and the back seat is comfortable, too. Unfortunately, however, the rear headrests are both small and fixed. In case of a crash, this may not provide sufficient protection. However, the rear AC vents help the cabin to cool quickly..
The boot can store 235 liters of luggage but the loading lip is high. The high-speed Asta version is equipped with rear car parking sensors, a wiper, a rear parking camera, and an airbag for passengers.
Engine Options
The new Hyundai Santro is equipped with the 1.1-liter engine. The 4-cylinder motor churns out a power of 69PS and a torque of 99 Nm. The engine is coupled with a 5-speed manual or AMT. The fuel efficiency claimed is 20.3kpl. However, in practical conditions, it is around 13.2kmpl in town and 18.4kmpl on highways. Performance may not be like the old car, but the middle range is strong and punchy. The top speed is nearer to 155kmph and going from 0 to 100kmph takes about 15s.
Clutch pedal is light however, the gearbox is not the smoothest one. The engine does not protest when you slowly enter a higher gear at a lower rpm when it comes to driveability. You may have to drop the gear or two if you want to accelerate instantly. But the engine doesn't likes to be revved. The sweet spot is between 2000 and 3000rpm. Good visibility all around makes it a great town car and something that the newbies appreciate. Ride quality over small bumps is pliant and only the larger ones bob the car.
Safety
In its category, Hyundai Santro is among the few cars offering standard airbags and ABS with EBD. All these are safety features that make this car a safer to drive.
Pricing
The price of the new Santro starts at Rs. 5.45 lakhs, ex-showroom. The car's fuel efficiency is a lot lower than the competition, but if boot space is not a big concern for you, you can go for CNG trim that is available at an additional cost of Rs 20,000.
