Monthly Motor - September 2014

The Grand i10 comes in basic
Motion trim, or slightly higher
Fluid spec as on our test car, each
well equipped for the money.
with USB and Bluetooth connectivity, ABS with
EBD brakes and two airbags among others, but
Fluid models come with remote central locking,
one-touch indicators and rear electric windows
for an additional Ksh. 100,000. It would be nice if
Hyundai would consider stability or traction control
in its lesser models though - only the Golf-sized i30
comes with these items as standard.
Generally speaking, the Grand is around Ksh.
150,000 more spec for spec than the smaller i10 it
sits side-by-side with at dealerships, and I think the
negligible price difference makes the Grand a nobrainer
in this segment. That is unless engine size,
space and style are of little importance - in which
case there’s a cheaper Ksh. 1,215,000 and less powerful
1.1-litre i10 available.
The Grand comes only with a 64kW/120Nm
1.2 petrol motor familiar from other cars such as
the bottom rung i20 and Kia’s Picanto and Rio, and
we’re impressed with its performance. It’s a peppy
little number that revs smoothly and eagerly, and
where you might expect to downshift for uphills and
overtakes it’s usually possible to hold a gear instead.
This relatively simple, naturally-aspirated unit
punches well above its weight and buzzes confidently
across each of its five ratios. There’s also a
four-speed auto for those with lazy left feet. We’re
also pleased with its real-world consumption figure
of 5.8 litres per 100km, and feel that this figure could
have come down even further with more time.
Driving Controls
Ideal for beginner drivers who probably won’t
notice its lifeless and cheap feeling electric power
steering. I’m reluctant to even mention this in a road
test of this sort, but steering is one of Hyundai’s and
sister company Kia’s only quality bugbears. So we
live in hope that with enough media moaning it will
be addressed in future models.
But how grand is the Grand? Compared backto-back
with the original i10 it is 180mm longer,
65mm wider and 20mm lower. Its extra 45mm
MOTOR SEPTEMBER 2014 31