Hyundai has long been a dominant player in the Indian automotive market, with its wide range of cars that cater to various segments.
One of its most iconic offerings, the Hyundai Santro, made a massive impact on the Indian car market when it was first introduced in 1998.
Over the years, the Santro has evolved from being a popular compact hatchback to a trusted city car known for its reliability, affordability, and practicality.
In its latest avatar, the New Hyundai Santro brings forward a modern design, updated features, and improved technology, while staying true to the qualities that made it a household name.
Hyundai’s strategy seems to be a careful blend of retaining the car’s legacy while meeting the demands of today’s customers especially in the highly competitive entry-level hatchback segment.
The design of the new H
Design: Contemporary and Stylish with a Practical Touch
yundai Santro reflects a more contemporary approach compared to its earlier generations. Hyundai has given the Santro a fresh and youthful appearance, ensuring it appeals to a younger audience while also retaining its practicality.
The front of the car now boasts the signature Hyundai cascading grille, which adds a bold and premium touch to the car.
The angular headlamps are accompanied by LED DRLs (Daytime Running Lights), which not only enhance the car’s aesthetics but also improve visibility on the road, making it more modern and stylish.
The chrome accents on the front bumper, grille, and fog lamp housing further elevate the visual appeal of the car, giving it a more premium feel.
In terms of dimensions, the new Santro remains compact, ideal for navigating through tight city traffic. It retains the same hatchback proportions but has a slightly more sporty stance thanks to its wider track and flared wheel arches.
The roofline is now slightly more sculpted, adding a dynamic, flowing look that contrasts well with its compact size.
At the back, the new Santro features updated tail lamps with a sleek design, a chrome strip that runs across the boot lid, and a rear bumper that completes the modern styling.
The car rides on 14-inch alloy wheels, which add to the overall sporty aesthetic. While the car’s design has been modernized, it still manages to keep its classic charm, making it a great option for those looking for a reliable, everyday car that’s also stylish.
Interior: More Comfort, More Features
Step inside the new Hyundai Santro, and the first thing you’ll notice is the spaciousness. Despite its compact dimensions, the Santro continues to impress with its roominess, offering decent legroom and headroom for both front and rear passengers.
Hyundai has made efforts to increase the overall comfort quotient, making it a pleasant place for longer drives or even daily commutes.
The cabin layout is clean, with a combination of hard plastics and soft-touch materials that give it a more modern, premium look.
The car’s dashboard is slightly tilted towards the driver, which makes it more ergonomically friendly, and the overall fit-and-finish is quite good for a car in this segment.
One of the major upgrades in the new Santro is the inclusion of an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
This is a big step forward, offering seamless connectivity for music, navigation, and hands-free calling. Additionally, the smartphone integration means that you can use your phone’s apps directly on the screen, making the driving experience much more convenient and connected.
The steering wheel is multifunctional, with controls for the audio system, phone, and cruise control, allowing for easier access to key functions without taking your hands off the wheel.
Other convenience features include automatic climate control, a height-adjustable driver seat, and rear AC vents all features typically found in higher segments but now available in the Santro, enhancing the overall comfort and convenience.
Hyundai has also made significant improvements in terms of storage. The boot space is generous for a car of this size, offering 235 liters of cargo capacity, which is more than enough for groceries, luggage, or even a weekend getaway. Additionally, the rear seats can be folded down to increase the cargo space, adding more versatility for larger items.
Performance: Efficient and Zippy
The new Hyundai Santro is powered by a refined version of Hyundai’s 1.1-liter 4-cylinder petrol engine. This engine produces around 69 bhp and 99 Nm of torque, which is adequate for city commutes and short highway drives.
The engine is mated to either a 5-speed manual transmission or an AMT (Automated Manual Transmission) option, providing a convenient and effortless driving experience in city traffic.
The AMT option makes the Santro a compelling choice for those looking for an affordable automatic car without compromising on fuel efficiency.
The AMT gearbox delivers smooth gear shifts, though it may not offer the level of refinement found in more premium automatics. However, for the price, it provides a good balance between convenience and efficiency.
The Santro’s fuel efficiency is one of its strongest points, with an ARAI-certified fuel economy of around 20-22 km/l. This makes it an ideal car for those who want a low-maintenance, fuel-efficient vehicle for their daily commute.
The car’s lightweight and compact dimensions also contribute to its agile handling, allowing it to easily maneuver through tight city streets and crowded parking lots.
For suspension, the Santro uses McPherson strut suspension in the front and a torsion beam axle at the rear. This setup provides a comfortable ride for both the driver and passengers, absorbing most road irregularities while ensuring good stability at higher speeds.
Hyundai has prioritized safety in the new Santro, equipping it with a host of features that provide peace of mind to both the driver and passengers.
The car comes with dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, and rear parking sensors as standard across all variants, which are essential for everyday drivin
Safety: Essential Features for Peace of Mind
g and city commutes.
Additionally, higher variants come with added safety features such as rear-view camera, speed sensing door locks, and child safety locks.
While the Santro doesn’t get features like side airbags or electronic stability control (ESC), it still meets the safety requirements for the segment and offers adequate protection in the event of an accident.
Pricing and Variants: Affordable and Value-For-Money
The new Hyundai Santro continues to follow Hyundai’s value-oriented pricing strategy, making it a very affordable option for those looking for a new car in the entry-level hatchback segment.
The car is available in multiple variants, including Std, Era, Sportz, and Asta trims, allowing buyers to choose a model that best fits their budget and feature requirements.
The price of the new Santro is expected to start at around ₹4.9 lakh (ex-showroom) for the base variant and can go up to ₹6.5 lakh (ex-showroom) for the top-end Asta AMT variant.
The AMT version costs slightly more, but it adds the convenience of an automatic gearbox, which makes the car more attractive for urban buyers who drive in heavy traffic