Hyundai Grand i10 (2014-2020) Buyer’s Guide

Do you have your eye on a used Hyundai Grand i10? Let’s take a closer look at the strengths and weaknesses of the first iteration of the Korean budget hatchback, and find out how much you can expect to pay for a tidy example…

When the Hyundai Grand i10 touched down in Mzansi around the middle of 2014, it slotted into the small gap between the i10 city car (which soldiered on for a few more years) and the i20 compact hatchback.

The Korean firm’s local division had high hopes for its fresh-faced budget hatchback – it even suggested that the Grand i10 nameplate had the potential to emulate the runaway sales success of the Getz.

As it turned out, such predictions proved accurate; this front-wheel-drive model – which deftly straddled the A- and B-segments – found favour with local buyers and soon graduated to the role of Hyundai Automotive South Africa’s bestseller. After 6 years on the market, as many as 49 252 units of the original Grand i10 had been registered around Mzansi (at least that’s according to Hyundai’s local importer).

Known internally as the BA generation – as opposed to the European-spec IA series, which had a shorter wheelbase and effectively served as a 2nd-generation i10 – the Grand i10-badged model was built in Chennai, India. Locally, it was available only as a 5-door hatchback, though some markets also received a sedan version (while Indonesia furthermore marketed the crossover-inspired i10X).

Despite being discontinued in most other parts of the world, the original PA-generation i10 was sold alongside its larger sibling in South Africa until February 2018, when the facelifted Grand i10 range was expanded (and, from that point, tasked with playing the part of the entry-level model, too).

Hyundai Grand i10 model line-up in South Africa

The 1st official images of the Indian-market Grand i10 were released in August 2013, while photographs of the slightly more compact Euro-spec i10 were distributed on the Old Continent around the same time. By June 2014, the former had hit the market in South Africa, available exclusively with a naturally aspirated 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine. At launch, the local line-up comprised 3 derivatives:

• 1.2 Motion 5MT (64 kW/120 Nm)     
• 1.2 Fluid 5MT (64 kW/120 Nm)     
• 1.2 Fluid 4AT (64 kW/120 Nm)

The Grand i10 carried on unchanged until April 2017, when Hyundai Automotive SA implemented a few styling tweaks. For instance, the hatchback gained revised bumpers (fore and aft), a honeycomb-mesh grille and new front-foglamp bezels, while the flagship Fluid derivative was handed a fresh alloy wheel design. Interestingly, the Korean marque’s local division also rejigged the (still 3-strong) range at this point, opting to offer the base Motion grade with either the manual ‘box or automatic transmission.

In December 2017, Hyundai quietly expanded the Grand i10 range by launching a new entry-level Motion derivative, powered by a naturally aspirated 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine that produced peak outputs of 48 kW and 94 Nm of torque (via a 5-speed manual gearbox).

By February 2018 – with the original i10 now discontinued in SA – the facelifted Grand i10 made local landfall, stepping into the role of entry-level model, too. As such, Hyundai increased the number of variants to 6, with 3 of these powered by the aforementioned 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder petrol mill.

Meanwhile, the 1.2-litre motor was available in the Fluid trim level – with either of the transmissions – and in a new range-topping Glide specification (only in manual guise). The Glide was set apart by items such as LED daytime running lights, 2-tone alloys and combination upholstery (black leather and red cloth), along with a smattering of red accents on the instrument panel, centre console and interior door panels.

In addition, the Fluid and Glide grades scored not only a 2-year/30 000 km service plan, but also a new touchscreen-based infotainment system. Customers had the option of purchasing an SD memory card (for R2 500, at the time) to activate the system’s navigation function.

Around July 2019, the Grand i10 Cargo panel van was launched in South Africa. The 2-seater model featured what Hyundai termed “security barriers” on the rear windows and -screen, while the 1 202-litre load area came with a cargo barrier and luggage net. The light commercial vehicle (LCV) version of the Grand i10 was offered in 1.0 Motion guise, as well as 1.2 Fluid form – both with a manual cog-swapper.

The BA-generation Grand i10 was finally replaced by the AI3-series model – which furthermore featured the “Nios” suffix in India – in October 2020.

What are the advantages of a Hyundai Grand i10?

Extra cabin room: Measuring 3 765 mm from snout to rump, the Hyundai Grand i10 was 180 mm longer than the standard i10, while also gaining 65 mm of width and 45 mm in its wheelbase. As a result, it offered more cabin room than the i10, putting it near the top of its class in that department. In addition, the luggage compartment grew to 256 litres (expandable to 1 202 litres with the rear seats folded down).

Generally solid built quality: Though not quite as upmarket inside as the likes of the closely related TA-generation Kia Picanto or indeed the Volkswagen Up that debuted locally in 2015, the original Grand i10 nonetheless offered sturdy cabin build quality. Hyundai furthermore added some visual pizzazz to the interior by initially giving the buyer a choice of colour schemes, including grey cloth with orange inserts; grey leather with red inserts; and grey cloth with grey inserts.

Well-proven engines: The 1.2-litre engine (G4LA) used across the Grand i10’s local lifecycle was also employed by the original i10, as well as the entry-level version of the PB-series Hyundai i20 hatch. Thanks to the Grand i10’s kerb weight of a little over a tonne, the performance of the manual-equipped powertrain was entirely adequate, while the claimed combined fuel economy was acceptable at 5.9 L/100 km (with the 4-speed automatic transmission proving a bit thirstier at a claimed 6.9 L/100 km).

But this chain-driven Kappa engine’s biggest strength was perhaps its track record for reliability. It was a similar case with the 1.0-litre 3-pot (G3LA) that joined the line-up in 2018, since this likewise straightforward mill had done duty in other Hyundai and Kia products in previous years. For the record, Mzansi didn’t receive the fuel-frugal 1.1-litre CRDi U2 diesel engine that was available in India.

What are the disadvantages of a Hyundai Grand i10?

Missing safety spec: From launch, the SA-spec Grand i10 was offered with dual front airbags and ABS. But throughout its time on the local market, the BA series did without items such as electronic stability control and ISOfix child-seat anchors, while the middle rear passenger had to make do with a lap belt. These omissions were unfortunate, considering the Grand i10 was marketed as a small family car.

Tellingly, the Indian-manufactured Grand i10 failed to score a single star for adult-occupant protection in its 2015 Latin NCAP crash test, when its body shell was rated as “not capable of withstand further loading” (note, however, the evaluated model was not fitted with ABS and airbags).

In a stark illustration of the safety-standard disparity between markets, the Turkish-built i10 – which shipped with far more safety kit – was awarded 4 stars by Euro NCAP in the previous year.

Reverse-gear problem: In some manual-equipped examples of the Grand i10, the reverse gear didn’t always slot cleanly into place. We’ve heard of numerous complaints – both in India and South Africa – of this annoying problem, which generally presents within the first few hundred km of the vehicle’s life.

Unfortunately, there wasn’t a straightforward fix for this issue (some suggest the lack of synchromesh on reverse was at the root of the problem). Hyundai advised customers to return the gear lever to neutral, release the clutch, depress the pedal once more and try again. So, when test-driving a used Grand i10 that you’re considering buying, ensure the ‘box slots easily into “R” (preferably with the engine running).

Vague electric power steering: As was the case with many Hyundai and Kia budget vehicles of the era, the Grand i10’s electric power steering was largely devoid of feel/feedback. Although the (overly) light steering was sometimes useful at parking speeds, it lacked precision at highway velocities, where constant small corrections – around centre – were required to keep the hatchback straight in its lane.

How much is a used Hyundai Grand i10 in South Africa?

When the Grand i10 arrived in South Africa, a 5-year/150 000 km manufacturer warranty was included in the purchase price. However, from 1 February 2016, Hyundai’s local distributor extended this to 7 years or 200 000 km by incorporating an additional 2-year/50 000 km powertrain warranty. In addition, take note a service plan was not offered as standard until February 2018, when Fluid and Glide derivatives gained a 2-year/30 000 km arrangement (Motion variants, though, still did without).

Of the used BA-gen Hyundai Grand i10 models that were listed on Cars.co.za at the time of writing, just 19% featured the 4-speed automatic transmission. Fascinatingly, despite the 1.0-litre engine joining the range only at the end of 2017, it accounted for a healthy 47% of all examples on our site. This starts to make sense when you consider almost half of all listings were clustered in the final 3 model years.

The entry-level Motion was the most common grade, accounting for 53% of BA-series Grand i10 units on Cars.co.za, although the Fluid trim wasn’t far behind on 46%. The flagship Glide specification was thus extremely hard to come by – it made up a mere 1% of the listed stock. Meanwhile, mileages varied from 10 000 km to 223 000 km, with the latter figure achieved by a manual-equipped 2015 1.2 Motion.

• Below R125 000: Predictably, most listings at this end of the market were pre-facelift models with plenty of mileage. Considering the early model years dominated this space, the 1.2-litre motor was the most common, too. The cheapest example we discovered was a 2014 1.2 Fluid going for R65k.

• From R125 000 to R150 000: Despite being quite a narrow bracket, more than 40% of listings were grouped between these pricing bookends. Every single model year was represented, though 2018 and 2019 were the most common. The majority of shoppers would likely be looking in this space.

• From R150 000 to R200 000: There were very few pre-facelift examples listed for above R150 000, with the final model year being the most prevalent here. That said, the 1.0-litre engine was the most popular, while the split between Motion and Fluid trim levels was virtually even.

• R200 000 and up: Spending upwards of R200 000 would get you into a current-gen Hyundai Grand i10, although we still found a handful of 2020 BA-series examples in the space, most of which featured low mileage and an automatic transmission. The priciest unit we unearthed was a 2019 1.0 Motion 4AT with 24 000 km on the odometer, listed for R210 000.

Which Hyundai Grand i10 derivative should I buy?

So, which derivative should be on your shortlist? Firstly, we’d lean towards examples of the facelifted models, which benefit not only from sharper exterior styling but also improved refinement levels, minor suspension enhancements and a far more comprehensive infotainment system (in the case of the Fluid and Glide variants). We’d furthermore recommend the larger, 1.2-litre 4-cylinder engine for most purposes, particularly if the vehicle will be required to perform in the thinner air up at the Reef.

Which trim level is best? Well, while the Glide specification is evidently the most generous in terms of standard equipment, such-grade derivatives are also in seriously short supply on the used market (and likely to attract a significant premium, too). So, we’d argue the Fluid grade – in conjunction with the aforementioned 1.2-litre engine – offers the best balance; it shipped standard (in facelifted form) with features such as alloy wheels, keyless entry, manual aircon, electric windows (all round), electrically adjustable (and heated) side mirrors and the aforementioned touchscreen infotainment system.

Is the Hyundai Grand i10 a smart used buy?

During its tenure on the local market, the original Hyundai Grand i10 faced fierce competition not just from traditional A-segment rivals (models such as the TA-gen Kia Picanto, Volkswagen Up and AB40-series Toyota Aygo, plus the latter’s platform twins, the Citroen C1 and Peugeot 108) but also sub-B-segment stalwarts such as the Volkswagen Polo Vivo, Toyota Etios hatch, B562-gen Ford Figo hatch, B52-series Renault Sandero and even the AZG-gen Suzuki Swift.

But the BA-generation Hyundai Grand i10 proved to be more than up to the task of battling contenders from both categories, rewarding buyers with “plenty of car for the money” – as it continues to do on the used market today. Though the missing safety kit remains a blot on its ledger, this budget hatchback is well-made, powered by proven engines and offers commendable cabin space for the segment.

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