Hyundai Santro

Hyundai Santro Expert Verdict

Hyundai Santro Detailed Review

• Santro Performance 6 /10

  Hyundai Santro provides a peppy performance as it comes with a petrol engine powertrain. The all-new Santro launched by Hyundai is powered by an engine with 1.1 Epsilon MPi Petrol or CNG (BS6) 4 cylinders. This engine is capable of churning out a maximum power of 60 hp and the maximum torque is 85.3 Nm for the petrol and 59.17 Nm in the CNG variants. The petrol variants offer a maximum power of 69 bhp on the tap of the throttle. The transmission is manual and 5-speed which allows smooth changing of gears. The overall engine performance of the Hyundai Santro is peppy and the smooth engine-gearbox combination help make the Santro a comfortable city car.

  Summary

  The new and improved Hyundai Santro offers superior and strong performance for the price of such an economical ride.

• Santro Exterior 6.5 /10

  Hyundai has worked well on the overall exterior design of the Santro. The new Santro looks premium and the smiling fascia helps create a more happy vibe among the potential buyers. The Hyundai Santro is one of the widest cars in its segment due to the extra room added while designing it. It is a great choice for families, carpools and long drives. The exterior of the car looks more like it was adopted from the i10 than the first generation Santro. In the front, one can observe the unique cascade design with chrome front grille paired with dynamic Z-shaped character lines all over the body frame of the car. This gives the new Santro a stylish, sporty and functional look.

  The halogen headlamps are swept back with angular patterns. On the front of the car, fog lamps have been added to provide better visibility to the driver. The turn indicators and the door handles resemble the first generation Santro. An absence of alloy wheels and LED DRLs can be noticed. However, Hyundai has equipped the wheels with a silver R14 steel wheel cover that makes it look modern yet sporty. Adjusting the windows with a mere click of a button is another common yet convenient feature. The dual-toned bumpers at the rear with reflectors add a sporty appearance to the car. There is black plastic on either side of the license plate on the rear bumper. The tail lamps and the bumper reflectors are complementary to each other as well. 

  Summary

  The exterior of the Hyundai Santro is distinctive, roomy, sporty and stylish.

• Santro Interior 7 /10

  The interior of the Hyundai Santro is designed for comfortability during a family driving experience with the introduction of five seats. The interior of the car sports a dual-tone colour scheme of beige and black garnished with gold highlights. The door handles on the inside are champagne-colored as well. There is ample accommodation available in the front as well as the back. The cabin of the car has enough accommodation for ease of ingress and egress to get in and out of the car. The seats are a little low and there is a slope from the rear window line to the back offering good ventilation in the cabin. There is enough headroom for an average-sized person. However, there is no room for adjusting the seat height in the rear or adjustability for the steering wheel, and lacks headrests. Speaking of the overall seating comfort, the Hyundai Santro is miles ahead in terms of space and management of its competitors. Although, we wish that Hyundai had provided more features to it. 

  There are switches for the power windows placed next to the gearbox. A parcel tray to store items like tissue boxes, books, stuffed toys, etc. is available at the rear. On the dashboard, there is also room to place an idol. Attached to every door there's a place to keep bottles, books, a small bag, etc. There is also a rear seat bench which folds when you need more space for bigger baggage on trips. Above the glove box, is a storage area to keep essential items such as your charger, phone, wallet, house keys, etc. There is also a vanity mirror on the back of the sun visor, a room lamp.

  Hyundai added some modern characteristics to the car such as the elephant-inspired unique centre fascia with an attachment of a touchscreen console. The 17.64cm AV system is touchscreen complete with smartphone connectivity, Android Auto connectivity, Apple CarPlay connectivity, iBlue Smartphone app connectivity, and mirror link. The steering wheel also has audio, voice recognition and Bluetooth controls. The AC vents at the rear of the car are positioned in such a way that they provide the perfect airflow. The propeller design and easy adjustability exude a high-quality comfort level. There is also an additional feature of power and a USB outlet. 

  Summary

  The Hyundai Santro is far more technologically advanced and offers premium quality interior space with ensured luxury.

• Santro Ride & Handling 6.5 /10

  During city drives, it is possible to drive at 50kmph in the fourth gear. Accelerating to a 5th gear will require the driver to shift down to act on enough juice to pick up the pace. In the case of the third gear, the car will accelerate until the engine is revved beyond 4000rpm. However, the 5-speed transmission comes with improved NVH levels. The state-of-the-art Smart Auto AMT delivers smooth and seamless as you shift the gears. The suspension duties have a degree of stiffness during uneven road traveling but gains equilibrium again on normal roads. The car can drive at 100kmph at 3000rpm effortlessly. At speeds of 80kmph, the car might feel a little heavy. The ride and handling of the Hyundai Santro are more suited for city driving. The small dimensions, light steering, and soft suspension wobble the car at highway speeds easily. 

  Summary

  Thanks to a high ground clearance and a dull steering, the Hyundai Santro won't delight the performance enthusiasts but its suspension will keep everyone comfortable over most road surfaces.

• Santro Safety 5 /10

  Hyundai is known for consistently working on passenger safety. The new Hyundai Santro has been designed with new safety features and a strong body shell for enhanced passenger safety. The advanced version of the Hyundai Santro offers a variety of cutting-edge safety and convenience features. The car is not large in height but has a strong frame made of impermeable steel with 63 percent of AHSS 25HSS. There is an anti-lock braking system that helps prevent skidding on the most slippery of monsoon rides with your family. The Electronic Brakeforce Distribution offers guarantees to regain of composure after sudden braking and restricts wheel lock-up.

  There is also a bonus feature of impact/speed sensing automatic door locking during elevated speeds and automatic unlocking as well. The front seatbelt pretensioners limit forward movement in case of collision or sudden braking. There is a rear parking camera equipped with rear parking sensors. The display of the 17.64 cm screen shows a preview of the parking space. The sensors and the camera do an excellent job of safe parking. There is a defogger at the rear end which helps to remove mist and offers a pristine view of the roads. The dual front airbags are added to protect the driver and the passengers in case of an accident. The Electronic ORVM provides great access for your sight in tight parking spaces. The Day and Night IRVM ensure the prevention of glaring from the sun and other vehicles on the road. The rear washer and wiper will help clear vision during the monsoon seasons. The Eco-Coating technology enables the circulation of fresh air conditioning for a long duration. The Floor Mat Hook on the driving seat stops the movement of the mat and avoids its interleaf with pedals.  

  Summary

  All things considered, the safety quotient of the second generation Santro is very high and promises a worry-free and comfortable drive.