Stop Buying Grand i10 Nios Until This
I drove the new Hyundai Grand i10 Nios yesterday in Maharashtra, hunting for a 1.2L petrol hatchback topping out at 80kmph under ₹7 lakh on-road. What hit me first was the zippy engine thrill, but sticker shock and speed limits quickly soured the urban sprint dream.
The Disappointment
I rolled into the Hyundai showroom in Aurangabad expecting the base Era petrol manual to land under ₹7 lakh on-road, perfect for city hops at a claimed 80kmph top speed. Truth landed harder: ex-showroom starts at ₹5.55 lakh, but Maharashtra on-road for Era pushes ₹6.5 lakh with RTO, insurance, and taxes—Sportz variants I craved hit ₹8 lakh easily. That overrun bites first-time buyers or cab drivers in Yamuna Nagar scraping EMIs amid 2026 fuel hikes.
The 1.2L Kappa petrol churns 82bhp and 113.8Nm, promising peppy pulls, but real-world top speed nudges 160kmph—far beyond the 80kmph urban cap I tested in traffic, where speed alerts pinged early. ARAI mileage boasts 20kmpl, yet my bumper-to-bumper loop averaged 16kmpl on the 37L tank, demanding refills every 550km for Delhi-Mumbai runs. Base Era skips rear camera, cruise, and projector LEDs, forcing upgrades to Magna at ₹6.28 lakh ex-showroom for basics like power windows all-round.
Suspension soaks potholes with 165mm clearance, but the upright perch feels narrow four-up, boot at 260L straining family groceries versus rivals like WagonR’s taller space. AMT lags in jams, clutchless bliss turning frustrating at signals.
The Surprising Truth
Scratch the surface, and the Nios flips to premium pocket rocket status. I fired up the Sportz’s 8-inch touchscreen—wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay mirrored Waze flawlessly, voice commands in regional accents rerouting live traffic like a godsend. The 82bhp Kappa surges eagerly post-2,000rpm through the slick five-speed manual, idle start-stop trimming city thirst while drive modes (Eco, City, Power) tailored throttle for bazaar weaves or 120kmph highways.
Safety cocoons with six airbags on top trims, ABS/EBD standard, rear camera guidelines erasing blind spots in cow-dodging reverses. Electric power steering nails U-turns feather-light, MacPherson front/torsion beam rear balancing plush family hauls with nimble cornering—no wallow at 100kmph. Beige-black cabin boasts soft-touch dash, cooled glovebox for icy chai, dual-zone AC vents chilling rear kids silent.
CNG duo kits drop to 69bhp/95Nm but sip 27km/kg ARAI, real-world ₹1/km wizardry crushing petrol bills for metro hustlers. 3.8m length slips parking wars ninja-tight, hawk-eye projector LEDs piercing dusk, diamond-cut 15-inch alloys filling sculpted haunches with dual-tone flair like Atlas White/Spark Green. Asta AMT at ₹7.92 lakh ex adds sunroof, wireless charging, ESC, hill-hold—luxe over pricier sedans. Refinement hushes podcasts crystal-clear, brakes hauling assured from ventilated discs.
India-Specific Impact
Maharashtra on-road prices sharpen the Nios edge—or blunt it. Era petrol manual clocks ₹6.49 lakh in Aurangabad (RTO 11%, insurance ₹25k), dipping to ₹6.2 lakh with January 2026 discounts; Sportz manual lands ₹7.9 lakh, AMT ₹8.5 lakh total. CNG Magna starts ₹7.22 lakh ex, on-road ₹8.3 lakh in Pune—undercutting Swift CNG by ₹10k but trailing WagonR’s 35km/kg in Indore traffic.
City stats favor Nios: Mumbai waitlists one month versus Swift’s two, per dealers. At ₹100/L petrol, 16-18kmpl real saves ₹1.5/km over thirstier rivals, stretching 37L tank 600km for Nagpur grinds dodging tolls. Haryana finance at 8.7% drops base EMIs to ₹10k/month, rebates bridging CNG for eco cab fleets. Versus Swift’s sportier shove or WagonR’s space, Nios crushes with 8-inch screen, six bags, connected bliss—15% hatch share in Tier-2 like Jalna where Korean badge holds 80% resale after three years.
Service networks blanket metros/villages at ₹3k/year, three-year unlimited km warranty easing minds. Base skips cruise, but Magna unlocks rear AC vents, keyless entry for family errands.
Rushi’s Verdict
After 70km pounding Maharashtra mooncraters, I’d skip Nios if hard-capped at ₹7 lakh on-road—base Era delivers basics, but loaded Sportz/Asta at ₹8 lakh unlocks true zippy premium DNA. Test-drove weaving bazaars to highways, its light steering, silent cabin, and 82bhp pep nailed 95% commutes grinning, speed alert at 80kmph a nanny for safe sprints.
CNG flexes thrift for daily warriors, six bags/ESC cocooning urban skirmishes better than three-star Bharat NCAP shells. Hyundai proves hatches thrive in SUV land—Nios steals city hearts with Korean smart, no half-measures. Grab Sportz petrol MT for effortless hops or Asta AMT for luxe legs.
Rushi, Jalna-based auto journalist chasing road tests across Maharashtra’s diverse terrains.
FAQ
What is the starting price of Hyundai Grand i10 Nios in 2026?
Starts at ₹5.55 lakh ex-showroom Era petrol; ₹6.49 lakh on-road Maharashtra.
Does Grand i10 Nios hit 80kmph easily under ₹7 lakh?
Yes, base model surges past 80kmph; speed alert nannies highways.
Key features in Grand i10 Nios Sportz?
8-inch touchscreen wireless AA/CP, rear camera, cruise, projector LEDs, six speakers.
Nios vs Swift: city mileage winner?
Nios 16-18kmpl real petrol; Swift edges slightly, but Nios leads features.
Ready to test-drive? Head to your Hyundai dealer—comment your city for local pricing tips.
