2023 Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Facelift Review: When Sensible Goes Smart

Getting a hatchback right is a difficult and challenging task for automakers, for they have to not only bring together the most they can in a small form factor but also adhere to a strict budget. The task has become even more challenging lately because of the rising popularity and affordability of compact and sub-compact SUVs. Hyundai, for instance, typically sells more units of the Venue compact SUV than the Grand i10 Nios. However, they are not giving up on the latter – in fact, they have brought in a facelift version of the Grand i10 Nios, featuring an updated design and new equipment.

What’s Different?

The new Hyundai Grand i10 Nios gets new LED Daytime Running Lights and an updated grille which pretty much takes up all the space there is left on the front bumper. On the sides, it sports new 15-inch alloy wheels, and at the back, it gets new LED taillamps, which are connected by what seems like a light bar, but it’s just a reflector. Overall, the design continues to look and feel premium and upmarket. However, an actual LED light bar connecting the taillamps, just like the one on the Venue, would have made the Nios’ design significantly cooler.

Inside, the older semi-digital instrument cluster has been replaced by a conventional two-dial instrument cluster. The MID of the top variant will now show tyre pressures as well. The seat upholstery is now a lighter shade of grey, and footwell lighting has been introduced as well. The top variant now comes with Type C-USB charging ports and cruise control too. Design-wise, everything else remains identical.

Also Read: New Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Sportz Executive Trim Introduced at Rs 7.16 Lakh

A big addition has been made in the safety department, for it now comes with four airbags with ABS and EBD as standard. The top variant, on the other hand, will offer six airbags, ESC, ISOFIX seat mounts, hill-hold assist, and automatic headlamps. When you couple these with other features like wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, Bluetooth, rear AC vents, auto climate control, keyless entry, push-button start, and wireless charging, you quickly see that the Grand i10 Nios is now a feature-loaded car. The touchscreen of the top-spec variant (the one we tested) deserves special mention, for it is easily the best infotainment system in the under ₹10 lakh segment in India.

Mechanically, the car can only be had with the 1.2-litre engine, as the turbo option has been axed. This engine comes mated to either a 5-speed manual gearbox or an AMT transmission.

But is it Really Different?

Despite the changes, the reason for buying the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios remains the same – it’s a well-built hatchback that is good for daily commutes and is feature-loaded. Yes, it may not have a peppy performance, but it does offer great practicality, a thoroughly refined drivetrain, a very light steering setup that makes taking U-turns a breeze, and a suspension setup, which can tackle bad roads and potholes with ease.

The biggest highlight of the Grand i10 Nios is the fact that it does not make you feel like you are missing out in any sense or that you have settled for less by buying a hatchback of this size. On the contrary, with a premium appeal and a dashing appearance, it makes you look sensible and stylish. And now that it complies with the upcoming RDE (real-world driving emission) norms and offers better safety features as standard, it justifies its price better than ever before.