Thread Starter
#1
Hi Readers
Hope you are doing fine.
Have been eager all these months awaiting the Hyundai Santro 2018 and finally it came. Out of my busy schedules, I could, with great effort, pull out time to TD an AMT Santro Sportz version from FPL Hyundai - Mogappair Ambattur in Chennai.
Initial Impression: AMT Sportz
Pros / Positive Points and Observations:
> Exteriors remind us of Grand i10 first avtaar, though Santro is smaller in size.
> Refined engine, 4 cyl BS VI (as told by rep), 1.1L Petrol.
> Engine is Peppy in city traffic.
> AMT is not that lethargic as presumed.
> Very negligible jerk while the transmission shifting from D1 to D2 in Automatic (Drive) mode, which can be mitigated by promptly lifting foot off accelerator at about 10 -12 kmpl, though needs some practice to get used to.
> D2 to D3 didn't have any noticeable jerks, I couldn't smell when it shifted from 2 to 3.
> Didn't try reverse though.
> In the 3 kms of city traffic ride (at 6.45-7 pm in Ambattur Estate area) in Chennai, I couldn't let the transmission to shift beyond D3. But D3 was a charm to drive.
> No power lag felt during the 3 km drive.
> Rep was very professional and guiding.
> Rep had enough knowledge about the car, technically and feature wise.
> Hyundai has not started delivering cars till now, so the rep couldn't get me the real time on road mileage the car delivers in practical life, however ARAI shows 20.3 kmpl.
> Music system was decent, though not that extraordinary to mention.
> Excellent rear leg room, I swear, I was amazed to be in the rear seat with front driver seat completely pushed back, I had more than enough leg room at the exact rear seat for my kneed, which is awesome and my Kudos to Hyundai for this feature alone in Santro - kudos kudos
Some cons / disappointments I felt (personally), however you may differ in your opinions when you drive or have driven:
> Unacceptable bring-down of the front power window switch from driver right side door armrest panel to gear shifter console, which has brought down the overall image of the car, like a poor man's car.... (Remember the same thing was criticised in Tata Nano). This position of the power window switches were accepted in the ages of Indica eV2, at that time perspective, but not now. I guess, the Hyundai designer who took this decision of bringing down the PW switches to gear console might have had a hefty quarrel with his wife that morning and he was mentally sick when he decided to change position of the switches. Pathetic for a Hyundai car.
> Boot is drastically reduced to 225 L, when the prior Hyundai Santro I drive has around 294-300L boot space. Why did Hyundai concentrate more on degrading existing features from the prior gen Santro. Hyundai shouldn't have named it as Santro then, I swear. I got a EON-ic feeling on the above two turn-downs.
> Steering wheel is tad small in size, and doesn't give me a feel of driving an A2 segment car. I feel like driving a very small car, say something similar to Alto 800, which I and my wife call as toy-car![[frustration]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Frustration.gif "Frustration [frustration]")
> Exorbitant pricing of the car in the segment. Should've been more properly fitted. Top end Asta manual costs 6.40L on road in Chennai and how many would be happy with this pricing? I would rather think of picking up a one down Grand i10, won't I ?
> Manual Asta (top end) and AMT Sportz (top less one), are almost equally priced (Asta manual - 6.4L abnd Sportz AMT - 6.39L).
> I, on the face, suggested the rep that the prices be brought down by another 45-55k and then it would be a VFM buy.
> More astonished to see that the Dlite variant (Non AC![[evil]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Evil.gif "Evil [evil]")
), costs 4.62 L on road.
No other major cons observed.
Comparision with my 2013 Santro Xing
> downsized boot (225L from a 294L)
> brought-down power window switches from driver right armrest to gear console.
> very small steering wheel.
> a small car feel, say something EON-ish.
> no big car feel, or high seating position or clear road view as in my 2013 Santro
My verdict:
Had an idea of upgrading to an AMT, however after TDing yesterday, I feel my 2013 Santro is better for the below reasons:
> my car gives a big car feel, little SUVish kind of.
> bold erect sitting position, elder people-friendly, which is a lack in 2018 Santro.
> smaller boot cannot accomodate my 1300+ kms round trip to my native Tuticorin from Chennai with Tiruchendoor visit.
As such, I am not going with this car based on my personal preference
Whom this car would suit the best?
This car is an excellent package (except VFM factor) for the people whose requirements are:
> Daily city commuting, with less than 50 kms of daily travelling.
> AMT for those who need that city drive comfort without clutching and gearing in traffic.
> A good entry level family car for anyone upgrading from a two wheeler or buying his first car
> For ones who want to own a hassle free and fuss free simple but feature rich car in the segment (however, pricing is not favorable though![[lol]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Laugh.gif "Laugh [lol]")
).
Who shouldn't or wouldn't buy this car ?
> Mr. Kumar......... you heard it right.
> one who wants occasional road trip with family along with mid level or more luggage on board.
> ones who want to have at aleast a minimal big car feel - a clear no no for then (go for Grant i10 within the same budget with less one variant)
> ones who want a premium feel in their car, though small.
Well, my dear readers, all above is my personal-most opinion. There are many happy customers with the test drive, whom I met at FPL Hyundai yesterday. There was a family who were extremely happy with a Sports Manual and booked one then and there. So no offence to any such happy customer.
Expectations and satisfaction factors differ from you and me and hence nothing is 100% perfect and nothing is 100% imperfect as well.
If I had hurt any Santro lovers' emotions here, I do apologize. I personally am a Santro lover who bought Santro in 2013, one fo the last few batches, and am enjoying till today, though very low running of 32000 kms. Believe me Santro is being used by me as a mini SUV on petrol in all highway runs (700+ one way) without any niggles. My 31000 kms service was done in Rs. 2,650.00 with regular oil, oil filter, air filter, petrol filter replacements; brake cleaning, spar plug cleaning and water wash.
I had it done from an FNG and sourced original Hyundai parts from Hyundai Mobis in Ambattur and water washed it in another water wash station.
The car is still a charm. And of course the new Santro would be, but for the hefty price tag and little de-graded features.
Howver, new Santro's engine and AMT is a gem, believe me, next to Honda City's. You'll never regret buying one, once you make a midset to compromise the Cons I experienced, and not necessarily all these cons for me are cons for you.
Happy Drives Safe Miles. Wear Seat Belt. Make your family to.
Happy Diwali in advance
Regards
Kumar
Hope you are doing fine.
Have been eager all these months awaiting the Hyundai Santro 2018 and finally it came. Out of my busy schedules, I could, with great effort, pull out time to TD an AMT Santro Sportz version from FPL Hyundai - Mogappair Ambattur in Chennai.
Initial Impression: AMT Sportz
Pros / Positive Points and Observations:
> Exteriors remind us of Grand i10 first avtaar, though Santro is smaller in size.
> Refined engine, 4 cyl BS VI (as told by rep), 1.1L Petrol.
> Engine is Peppy in city traffic.
> AMT is not that lethargic as presumed.
> Very negligible jerk while the transmission shifting from D1 to D2 in Automatic (Drive) mode, which can be mitigated by promptly lifting foot off accelerator at about 10 -12 kmpl, though needs some practice to get used to.
> D2 to D3 didn't have any noticeable jerks, I couldn't smell when it shifted from 2 to 3.
> Didn't try reverse though.
> In the 3 kms of city traffic ride (at 6.45-7 pm in Ambattur Estate area) in Chennai, I couldn't let the transmission to shift beyond D3. But D3 was a charm to drive.
> No power lag felt during the 3 km drive.
> Rep was very professional and guiding.
> Rep had enough knowledge about the car, technically and feature wise.
> Hyundai has not started delivering cars till now, so the rep couldn't get me the real time on road mileage the car delivers in practical life, however ARAI shows 20.3 kmpl.
> Music system was decent, though not that extraordinary to mention.
> Excellent rear leg room, I swear, I was amazed to be in the rear seat with front driver seat completely pushed back, I had more than enough leg room at the exact rear seat for my kneed, which is awesome and my Kudos to Hyundai for this feature alone in Santro - kudos kudos
Some cons / disappointments I felt (personally), however you may differ in your opinions when you drive or have driven:
> Unacceptable bring-down of the front power window switch from driver right side door armrest panel to gear shifter console, which has brought down the overall image of the car, like a poor man's car.... (Remember the same thing was criticised in Tata Nano). This position of the power window switches were accepted in the ages of Indica eV2, at that time perspective, but not now. I guess, the Hyundai designer who took this decision of bringing down the PW switches to gear console might have had a hefty quarrel with his wife that morning and he was mentally sick when he decided to change position of the switches. Pathetic for a Hyundai car.
> Boot is drastically reduced to 225 L, when the prior Hyundai Santro I drive has around 294-300L boot space. Why did Hyundai concentrate more on degrading existing features from the prior gen Santro. Hyundai shouldn't have named it as Santro then, I swear. I got a EON-ic feeling on the above two turn-downs.
> Steering wheel is tad small in size, and doesn't give me a feel of driving an A2 segment car. I feel like driving a very small car, say something similar to Alto 800, which I and my wife call as toy-car
> Exorbitant pricing of the car in the segment. Should've been more properly fitted. Top end Asta manual costs 6.40L on road in Chennai and how many would be happy with this pricing? I would rather think of picking up a one down Grand i10, won't I ?
> Manual Asta (top end) and AMT Sportz (top less one), are almost equally priced (Asta manual - 6.4L abnd Sportz AMT - 6.39L).
> I, on the face, suggested the rep that the prices be brought down by another 45-55k and then it would be a VFM buy.
> More astonished to see that the Dlite variant (Non AC
), costs 4.62 L on road. No other major cons observed.
Comparision with my 2013 Santro Xing
> downsized boot (225L from a 294L)
> brought-down power window switches from driver right armrest to gear console.
> very small steering wheel.
> a small car feel, say something EON-ish.
> no big car feel, or high seating position or clear road view as in my 2013 Santro
My verdict:
Had an idea of upgrading to an AMT, however after TDing yesterday, I feel my 2013 Santro is better for the below reasons:
> my car gives a big car feel, little SUVish kind of.
> bold erect sitting position, elder people-friendly, which is a lack in 2018 Santro.
> smaller boot cannot accomodate my 1300+ kms round trip to my native Tuticorin from Chennai with Tiruchendoor visit.
As such, I am not going with this car based on my personal preference
Whom this car would suit the best?
This car is an excellent package (except VFM factor) for the people whose requirements are:
> Daily city commuting, with less than 50 kms of daily travelling.
> AMT for those who need that city drive comfort without clutching and gearing in traffic.
> A good entry level family car for anyone upgrading from a two wheeler or buying his first car
> For ones who want to own a hassle free and fuss free simple but feature rich car in the segment (however, pricing is not favorable though
).Who shouldn't or wouldn't buy this car ?
> Mr. Kumar......... you heard it right.
> one who wants occasional road trip with family along with mid level or more luggage on board.
> ones who want to have at aleast a minimal big car feel - a clear no no for then (go for Grant i10 within the same budget with less one variant)
> ones who want a premium feel in their car, though small.
Well, my dear readers, all above is my personal-most opinion. There are many happy customers with the test drive, whom I met at FPL Hyundai yesterday. There was a family who were extremely happy with a Sports Manual and booked one then and there. So no offence to any such happy customer.
Expectations and satisfaction factors differ from you and me and hence nothing is 100% perfect and nothing is 100% imperfect as well.
If I had hurt any Santro lovers' emotions here, I do apologize. I personally am a Santro lover who bought Santro in 2013, one fo the last few batches, and am enjoying till today, though very low running of 32000 kms. Believe me Santro is being used by me as a mini SUV on petrol in all highway runs (700+ one way) without any niggles. My 31000 kms service was done in Rs. 2,650.00 with regular oil, oil filter, air filter, petrol filter replacements; brake cleaning, spar plug cleaning and water wash.
I had it done from an FNG and sourced original Hyundai parts from Hyundai Mobis in Ambattur and water washed it in another water wash station.
The car is still a charm. And of course the new Santro would be, but for the hefty price tag and little de-graded features.
Howver, new Santro's engine and AMT is a gem, believe me, next to Honda City's. You'll never regret buying one, once you make a midset to compromise the Cons I experienced, and not necessarily all these cons for me are cons for you.
Happy Drives Safe Miles. Wear Seat Belt. Make your family to.
Happy Diwali in advance
Regards
Kumar
![[roll]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Roll.gif "Roll Eyes [roll]")
![[clap]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Clap.gif "Clap [clap]")
Agreed with all your points. OTR quoted is only in Chennai, no clue about other cities like Bangalore. ![[confused]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Confused.gif "Confused [confused]")
![[:)]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Smile.gif "Smile [:)]")
![[:D]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Big%20Smile.gif "Big Smile [:D]")
![[surprise]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Surprise.gif "Surprise [surprise]")