Hyundai Atos (2019) Launch Review

Hyundai South Africa has reintroduced the Atos as a budget car to rival the Datsun Go and Renault Kwid. How does it stack up against those volume-sellers and... is it any better? Lance Branquinho reports back from the local launch.

Hyundai has a significant presence in the compact hatchback market; brisk sales of the Grand i10 and i20 attest to that. With the new Hyundai Atos, however, the Korean company has reinforced its entry-level hatchback offering in South Africa.

Price is critical in the budget-car segment: a few thousand Rands can often be the difference between a purchase or deferral and Hyundai’s strategy is to structure its local portfolio in such a way that customers can always afford to be in a Hyundai hatchback of some configuration, or specification.



Return of Atos sees it sit below the i10 as the entry point to Hyundai's product portfolio.

In South Africa’s stalled economy, many car customers have been forced to buy down. Therefore, Hyundai’s entry-level offering has changed from Grand i10 to Atos, which is sourced from India. By the end of next year, most of Hyundai’s local portfolio (80%) will be assembled in the world’s 2nd-most populous country and the firm says its Indian products have allowed for a very low warranty burn rate (the number of warranty claims against the amount of premium that has been set aside to meet those claims), which compares favourably with any Korean- or European-built Hyundai.

Modest – but honest – spec

The Atos' peak outputs are meagre, but it only weighs 866 kg, which should make it quite spritely.


The previous Atos was very popular in South Africa; Hyundai sold no fewer than 45 000 units from 2005 to 2013. Hyundai established its local reputation with entry-level hatchbacks, although the company now markets a vast portfolio of vehicles, including several crossovers and SUVs.

The new Atos is built on a K1 platform, which will reportedly become the standard for many of Hyundai and Kia’s more affordable sub-4-metre-long vehicles. The engineering claim is that this new K1 structure is 63% more rigid than Hyundai’s previous compact car platform, which should equate to better crash safety, sharper steering responses and lower vibration-induced noise levels.

The newcomer's mechanical specification is modest but entirely relevant for its R159 900 price point. The 1.1 Motion (the only version so far) is powered by a long-stroke 1.1-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine, which produces peak outputs of 50 kW and 99 Nm. It runs a single overhead camshaft with a 3-valves-per-cylinder configuration, which should facilitate the best compromise between low service costs and efficient combustion.


Steel wheels (with covers) are standard.

Gearing is via a 5-speed manual transmission and drive is directed to the front wheels. The Atos' suspension configuration places coil springs at all 4 corners, with the front linkages having a McPherson strut-type set-up, while the rear-axle is held in place by a torsion beam.

As you would expect for a budget vehicle of such low mass (it only weighs 866 kg), the Atos does not have disc brakes all-round. There are 180 mm drum brakes to slow down the rear wheels, while most of the brake-force is generated by 241-mm solid discs up front.

The entire deceleration system features a 4-channel ABS function, with additional sensors to enact emergency brake-force distribution. The Atos does not come with electronic stability control, but that isn’t standard on any of its rivals either.


Interior is basic, but reasonably well-appointed for a budget-car offering.

Beyond the mechanical bits, the Atos has an entirely decent cabin architecture. Broad-spectrum infotainment system functionality and smartphone synching/integration certainly sweeten the deal for any new-car buyer, even more so for those on a tight budget and truncated shopping list. As such, the Atos features a factory-fitted 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that plays nice with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The steering wheel also has satellite controls (audio- and Bluetooth handsfree toggles, which means you can answer an incoming call without having to take a hand off the wheel), but the column is neither height- nor reach-adjustable.

For Hyundai to keep the Atos within the desired price bandwidth, it had to prioritise certain content items over others. Sacrifices were made regarding convenience, which is why you have manually adjustable side mirrors, manual rear windows and seats that are not height-adjustable.

Adequate all-rounder

Meanwhile, many budget cars look like a fair deal when you evaluate their specification, but they tend to be annoyingly unrefined to drive.

The Atos is competing directly with Alliance twin-platform budget cars from Renault and Datsun: the Kwid and Go. Although the engine output numbers are similar between these 3 vehicles, their levels of driveability are very different.

Once you are accustomed to its fixed steering position, the Atos delivers an entirely adequate driving experience. For one, it has unquestionably better mechanical noise and vibration insulation than either the Kwid or Go...


After a decent drive in the Atos, it feels more complete than its rivals.

A small-capacity engine and 5-speed manual gearbox combination is always going to make for a busy drivetrain. At highway cruising speeds, the Atos does "buzz" a little, due to its engine running at higher rpm than is the norm (if you are accustomed to cars with 6-speed transmissions).

Ride quality is fair, but this is a short wheelbase car rolling on 14-inch rims shod with 165/70 tyres, which means that the Hyundai's ability to absorb harsh surface ridges and imperfections is limited. That said, the Atos has steel wheels; they tend to survive a pothole strikes better than alloys.

The claimed average fuel consumption is 5.7 L/100 km. Such figures are often overoptimistic, but on a test route that included 2 mountain passes and some very enthusiastic throttle use, we averaged 5.7 L/100 km as per the Atos onboard consumption computer. It's an impressive number and evidence, yet again, that relatively simple atmospheric engines are truer to their fuel consumption potential than any small-capacity turbo mill.

Rivals and ownership considerations

A long warranty and service plan makes the new Atos an attractive long term purchase.

The budget hatchback market is a substantial business in South Africa. The aforementioned Datsun Go and Renault Kwid often total a combined 1 500 units in monthly sales and Hyundai is understandably keen on conquering some of that business.

Hyundai’s new city car only has one real debit compared to its rivals and that is luggage space. The Atos is said to be able to accommodate 235 litres of luggage, while the Go and Kwid have more space in the back, at 265 and 300 litres respectively.

Summary

All told, the new Atos is a very convincing budget hatchback offering at Group 1 Hyundai. The engine is unmistakably efficient, ergonomics are satisfactory and refinement is superior to those of its Japanese and French rivals. On a balance of features, Hyundai's newcomer is competitively specced too.

And then there is the ownership journey, which is often an unconsidered, but crucial, element for budget buyers. With an asking price of R159 900 (November 2019), the Atos comes with a 1-year service plan and a 7-year warranty – the latter should make it marvellously cheap to run long-term.



Article source: https://hyundaidrivers.wordpress.com/2019/12/07/hyundai-atos-2019-launch-review/

Hyundai H100: The 1.3 ton workhorse you need for your business

Do you own a business? The Hyundai H100 models are fantastic commercial vehicles. Their versatile and trustworthy performance make them an asset to small businesses. If you are looking for commercial vehicles for sale, there are plenty of reasons to consider the H100. 

The H100’s Exterior

The ceramic white exterior of the H100 complements its robust design. The Hyundai H100 for sale expertly combines functionality with style. Its sleek lines form a muscular exterior.

The large windscreen, big headlights and wide front grille create a bold impression on the road. Its commanding exterior design inspires confidence.
A look at the Hyundai H100 interior

The interior provides the driver with comfort and convenience. The layout and features are designed to increase driver efficiency. The better the work environment, the better the performance of your staff. Additional space provides the driver with more room to move.



The console is ergonomically designed so that the driver has everything that they need in easy reach. There is plenty of storage space in the Hyundai H100. A convenient feature of this model is its sunglasses storage compartment. The cup holders are another note-worthy feature. If you are looking for a vehicle with a practical design, then finding a H100 is a good choice.

Payload and Features in the H100 Hyundai

The Hyundai H100 is a powerful workhorse. It is designed to tackle any task or terrain. While it delivers an exceptional performance, it still offers efficient operating costs. Its payload is comparable to that of larger vehicles. Its crew capability is also impressive. It has a dynamic drop side deck.

A note-worthy feature of the H100 is its power steering. The power steering offers both precision and safety. This feature supports the driver and reduces driver fatigue. The steering wheel is height adjustable which contributes to the comfort of the driver.



The Hyundai H100 redefines the light truck category. Its extensive list of features set it apart from the crowd of commercial vehicles on the market today. One of the many reasons to find a Hyundai H100 is its dynamic performance. Its power and tilt steering is another highlight of these vehicles.

All these factors as well as its 2.-litre Diesel engine means that the H100 fares well against its competitors. Its extraordinary performance and design means that it surpasses its competitors with ease.

Customise and Accessorise your H100

You can customise these commercial vehicles for sale from Hyundai with a wide range of accessories. Towbars and bullbars increase its capabilities. The canopy which is available for these models can also come in handy. The H100 accessories mean that you can ensure that your vehicle meets your requirements. Prices start from R 245 900. The H100 has a 1.3 ton load capacity. It is renowned within its category of vehicles.



There are three models available including the Euro ii C/C, Euro II Deck and Euro Deck II A/C. Take a look at an overview of the Hyundai H100’s specifications in the table below.
Specifications of the H100 for sale


Not only does it boast an outstanding performance, it also offers support to your drivers. With so many advantages to owning a Hyundai H100 it is easy to see why these commercial vehicles are so popular at Group 1 Hyundai. If you are a small business manager or a fleet manager, don’t miss out on this opportunity to improve your business operations.


Article source: https://we-love-hyundai.weebly.com/blog/hyundai-h100-the-13-ton-workhorse-you-need-for-your-business

2019 Veloster Joins Hyundai’s Lineup of IIHS Top Safety Picks

The 2019 Veloster hatchback recently became the 11th Hyundai vehicle to win recognition for its crash prevention and mitigation features from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

After a rigorous series of crash tests, the Veloster received a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS. The organization highlighted the Veloster’s standard and available front crash prevention technologies as a major reason for the award.

“Safety is a top priority for Hyundai and its engineering team, and we are proud to hear that Veloster now joins the list of Hyundai models that have achieved this recognition from the IIHS,” said Scott Margason, Hyundai Motor America’s director of product planning. “The Veloster is a prime example of a sleek and exhilarating vehicle to sit behind the wheel of, while still offering the advanced safety features available across our Hyundai lineup.”

The 10 other 2019 Hyundai vehicles at Group 1 Hyundai with Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ awards are the Tucson, Sonata, Santa Fe, Santa Fe XL, Kona, Elantra, and Accent.

To be named a Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must have “good” ratings for these five crash tests: head restraint, roof strength, side, driver-side small overlap front, and moderate overlap front. It must also score “good” or “acceptable” for headlights, “good” or “acceptable” in the passenger-side small overlap test, and “advanced” or “superior” for front crash prevention.

The 2019 Veloster boasts a wide range of standard and available safety features. All models come with six airbags and an anti-lock braking system with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist. The Veloster can also be outfitted with active-safety options like Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, High Beam Assist, and Driver Attention Warning.

If you’re looking for Hyundai specials - check out all the great promotions on Hyundai vehicles at Group 1 Hyundai!

Article source: https://carcraziness.postach.io/post/2019-veloster-joins-hyundais-lineup-of-iihs-top-safety-picks

Hyundai Santa Fe Ranked Most Dependable Midsize SUV By J.D. Power

Hyundai's Santa Fe received the distinct honor of most dependable Midsize SUV in the J.D. Power 2019 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS). Released today, the annual Vehicle Dependability Study shows Santa Fe ranked highest in its class, beating out leading competitors in the 2016 model year. The Santa Fe delivers Hyundai's recipe of bold design, high-output powertrains and a host of features to please drivers and passengers with high expectations for functionality, versatility and comfort.

"Long-term ownership satisfaction is a key part of the Hyundai Way," said Barry J. Ratzlaff, vice president of customer satisfaction, Hyundai Motor America. "We strive to create vehicles that deliver quality, safety, bold design and great value. This award from J.D. Power recognizes the strong effort of our R&D, Manufacturing and Quality teams as well as our dealers who all work together to support our owners. Along with great vehicles, Hyundai also offers our customers the assurance of a great shopping and ownership experience." 

The study, now in its 30th year, examines problems experienced during the past 12 months by original owners of 2016 model-year vehicles. Overall dependability is determined by the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100), with a lower score reflecting higher quality. The study covers 177 specific problems grouped into eight major vehicle categories.

For the 2019 model year, Hyundai Santa Fe adds:

• New safety, comfort, and convenience technologies 
• Increased visibility, cabin and storage space 
• Bolder design language

Hyundai Motor America 

Hyundai Motor America is focused on delivering an outstanding customer experience grounded in design leadership, engineering excellence and exceptional value in every vehicle we sell. Hyundai's technology-rich product lineup of cars and  SUVs at Group 1 Hyundai and alternative-powered electric and fuel cell vehicles is backed by Hyundai Assurance—our promise to deliver peace of mind to our customers. Hyundai vehicles are sold and serviced through more than 830 dealerships nationwide and the majority sold in the U.S. are built at U.S. manufacturing facilities, including Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. Hyundai Motor America is headquartered in Fountain Valley, California, and is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea.

Article source: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hyundai-santa-fe-ranked-most-dependable-midsize-suv-by-jd-power-300795127.html

2019 Hyundai Grand i10 Could Look Like This!

Hyundai is working on the next-generation versions of its existing range of cars. The company will bring the next-gen Grand i10, Xcent, Creta and Elite i20 in the next 2 years. The Korean brand will launch the 2019 Grand i10 hatchback in the end of this year.

The third-generation Hyundai Grand i10 will first go on sale in India in the end of this year, which will be followed in early 2020. The report claims that the 2019 Hyundai i10 will be the most hi-tech and advanced car in a market.

The report claims that the next Grand i10 is expected to receive minimal changes. In fact, the rendering images show that the next model will share its basic shape with the outgoing model. It will feature the same funky headlamps, centre-mounted daytime running lights and bumper design. The hatchback is likely to receive mild tweaks to front and rear bumpers.

The Hyundai i10’s coloured interiors are likely to be phased out. The hatchback could receive an upgraded version of the infotainment system. It is likely to borrow the 8-inch touchscreen system from the larger i30 hatchback.

The 2019 Hyundai Grand i10 is expected to be powered by the existing 1.2-litre petrol engine, which will be tweaked to meet BS VI emission norms. It is expected that the next i0 will go petrol only and is not likely to receive diesel engine due to the increase in price gap between petrol and diesel cars. Both manual and automatic versions are likely to be on offer.



Book your Grand i10 test drive at Group 1 Hyundai.


Article source: https://carcraziness.postach.io/post/2019-hyundai-grand-i10-could-look-like-this

Next-gen Hyundai i20 front styling update

Hyundai has begun road testing the third-gen i20 hatchback globally. We got a glimpse of what the new Hyundai i20 (codename: PI3) would look like when viewed from up front. Hyundai doesn’t seem to have toyed around much with the new i20’s overall shape and the model looks quite similar to the outgoing car at first glance. However, the new i20 gets major changes to its front-end. The trademark Hyundai ‘cascading grille’ is now much wider and quite similar in shape to the one seen on the Elantra facelift (also India bound, soon) and the Venue SUV.

While Hyundai seems to be maintaining the basic shape of its signature cascade grille, the grille inserts vary depending on the model. The Elantra facelift gets horizontal slats with chrome bits, the Venue gets horizontal as well as vertical slats, while the next-gen i20 test mule gets a criss-cross pattern. The new hatchback’s headlamps merge with the grille and have an upward swooping design. Hyundai will equip the new i20 with LED headlamps along with projector and daytime running lights, depending on variant. The new i20’s bumper neatly merges into the grille and gets two vertical placement slots for its projector fog lamps.

The current-gen i20 measures 3,995mm in length and Hyundai India will not make it much longer, to ensure it ducks below the crucial four-metre mark in order to qualify for excise benefits. Expect the new i20 to come with a long list of creature comforts and equipment, along with the Hyundai BlueLink system.

The new i20 will come with tried-and-tested engine line-up, which will include the current 83hp, 1.2-litre petrol and also the 120hp, 1.0-litre GDI turbo-petrol engine. Hyundai will also continue to equip the i20 with diesel engines for India as well as global markets.

With new styling, more equipment and updated engines, the new i20 from Group 1 Hyundai will surely be more competitive when faced with newer rivals like the Toyota Glanza, Maruti Suzuki Baleno, Honda's Jazz and the Tata Altroz.




Article source: https://www.autocarindia.com/car-news/next-gen-hyundai-i20-front-styling-revealed-in-spy-shots-413108

Next-gen Hyundai ix25: We reminisce

Hyundai has begun road-testing its new ix25 SUV with the first pictures coming from Korea. This new SUV will be a replacement for the Hyundai Creta (sold as ix25 in some markets like China) and was first shown at the recent Shanghai Auto show 2018.



The model spotted in Korea seems to be a variant or two below the top-spec trim, thanks to the missing sunroof and contrast paint like the one seen on the show floor display.


The new Hyundai ix25 gets a more rounded look as opposed to an angular design on the previous gen SUV. Upfront, the new Hyundai ix25 gets a massive cascade grille, similar to the one seen on the Hyundai Venue compact SUV (launched May 21) and on the full-size Hyundai Palisade SUV that is sold abroad. It gets a split headlight design with slim LED lamps placed on the top of the main headlamps (with projector units and LED daytime running lamps) that are placed in a separate unit a bit lower on the front bumper. The front bumper gets a separate set of fog lamps on each corner that is divided by a faux skid plate that adds to its SUV look


On the side, the new Hyundai ix25 (Creta replacement for some markets) gets a rather plain look with almost no character lines except the one running from the rear fender across to the rear door. The wheel arches on the new ix25 are squared off and the model continues to come with subtle cladding running across its side along with some faux aluminum trim below the doors. The new ix25 gets similar diamond cut alloys like the Venue however the size could be a tad larger.


Just like the front styling, the new ix25 gets a split-setup for the taillamps as well. There is a strip of LED lights running across the width of the car with separate units for brake and turn signals placed below. The shape of the main taillamps do resemble the ones on the latest-gen Mahindra XUV500 that is sold in India.

On the inside, the ix25 shown in China was loaded with a much more premium interior than the outgoing SUV. A large touchscreen infotainment system, seamlessly flowing to the centre console making the dashboard almost devoid of buttons. This also confirms that most of the functions like HVAC will be managed via the touch screen. The model also gets a flat-bottom steering wheel with subtle does of faux brushed aluminum to give a sporty feel. Higher variants are also expected to come with paddle shifters and even cooled seats along with an electronic parking brake.

While the styling of the ix25 SUV which will replace the Creta in some markets does look a bit radical, the actual Creta replacement for India is expected to get slightly different (read toned down) styling when the model comes to India in future. Expect the India-spec Creta to be powered by BS-VI compliant 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines that will make debut first on the refreshed Hyundai Verna.


As reported by us last year, the next-gen Creta will come in not one but two seating configurations. The five-seat model will come first, sometime around next year and the seven-seat iteration will join a little later.

If you’re looking for an affordable SUV, like the used Hyundnai ix35, simply check out the range at Group 1 Hyundai.



Article source: https://carcraziness.postach.io/post/hyundai-accent-offers-high-content-low-price

Refreshed Hyundai Creta is not just for squares

Refreshed Hyundai Creta is not just for squares


With buckets of torque, it will cruise at 130km/h all day.

Calling really, really old people, who still know what hippies were.

Remember anything that happened during 1986? Neither does this writer, but Google assures me that year saw a hit song from Huey Lewis and the News called Hip to Be Square.



The rock song, written by Bill Gibson, Sean Hopper and Huey Lewis, appeared on seven-inch vinyl, courtesy of Chrysalis Records and reached No 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

According to Huey Lewis, the song was hugely misconstrued by conservative people who flocked to buy it. “It was meant to be ironic and never intended as an anthem for square people.

They were unable to see the irony of them buying it, because they were square to begin with,” he said.

Apparently Lewis considered the widely misunderstood messages of the song one of the biggest regrets of his career.

We can offer Huey some solace. Certainly his masterpiece was misunderstood, but it did predict the launch of a car, many years later, in 2018.

We speak of the new Hyundai Creta SUV, which we drove two weeks ago. On seeing the vehicle, we immediately noticed “its hips do be square”.



Hyundai’s press release says the new Creta’s exterior makeover includes “a new cascade grille with a chrome bezel, a front bumper with dual-tone finish and skid plates, tweaked tail lamps with LED inserts, repositioned reflectors and redesigned rear skid plate”.

We know nothing about such sophisticated stuff, but we could tell “its hips do be square”.

Look at the photographs – surely, you come to the same conclusion? Which should not detract from the Hyundai Creta’s worth.

It is a solidly built, well appointed small Sports Utility Vehicle, ready to wage sales war in a tough South African market segment.

The test vehicle was the Creta 1.6 Executive Turbodiesel Automatic, powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged diesel engine, married to a six-speed automatic gearbox.




It delivers 94kW of power at 4 000rpm, and 260Nm of torque at 2 750pm, all relayed to the front wheels. This does not make it a motorsport proposition in any way – acceleration is subdued, accompanied by a distinctive diesel clatter.

In traffic it felt as if the body was too heavy for the engine’s capabilities.

But the Creta does have buckets of torque and it will cruise at 130km/h all day, with just more than 2 300rpm on the clock.

The front suspension boasts a McPherson strut with gas dampers, with the rear depending on a torsion beam axle, all sitting on 17-inch alloy wheels.

The Creta is also equipped with ABS brakes and Electronic Braking Distribution.

We did not attempt to corner violently, but found it had slight understeer during sudden directional changes.

Inside, apart from plenty of room for five adults, standard features include leather seats, leather-cladded steering wheel, multi-function remote controls for Bluetooth connections, sound and radio system, plus an eight inch touchscreen display for the infotainment system.



Convenience features include rear air vents, a rear armrest with cup holders and cruise control, rear park assist sensors and a reverse camera.

Safety features include front and side airbags for driver and passenger plus curtain airbags for rear passengers. We were slightly disappointed when the test vehicle returned an overall fuel consumption figure of 8.6 l/100km.

On the other hand, we did not drive it in a fuel-efficient manner so a lighter right foot would probably return better figures.


Verdict.

A well appointed SUV ready for tough market segment.

To test drive the Hyundai Creta and come to your own verdict - simply book online at Group 1 Hyundai.



Article source: https://citizen.co.za/motoring/motoring-car-road-tests/2023984/refreshed-hyundai-creta-is-not-just-for-squares/

Is the Hyundai Elantra too Good to be True?

We’ve all heard it! The pros of every new vehicle on the market.

Advertisers bombard people with amazing features that just seem…

well, too good to be true! For example, let us introduce you to the

2018 Hyundai Elantra for your expeditions.

Of course by now, you’ve heard about the safety features of the

Hyundai Elantra; the vehicle features a rearview camera with blind

spot detection and rear cross traffic alert. Plus, a 7-inch display screen

with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility give you additional

infotainment solutions. The model's stunning 17-inch alloy wheels will

have you riding in style and noticed favorably at any event, too.

Surely, people have told you about the 26 city/39 highway MPG that

this car can get. Unbelievable to think that the

2018 Elantra beats most of its peers in gas mileage, right?

Does the Hyundai Elantra still seem too good to be true? Well, it’s not!

It’s back and better than ever! Visit Group 1 Hyundai to see for yourself

and to take a Elantra test drive!

Article source: https://hyundaidrivers.wordpress.com/2019/03/27/is-the-hyundai-elantra-too-good-to-be-true/

Hyundai Grand i10 1,25 Glide manual

Hyundai Grand i10 range has been updated … and we drove the popular city car at launch through the Cape Winelands.

Okay, so what am I looking at here? This looks a lot like the current Hyundai Grand i10…

Well, yes … it does. That’s because 99% of it is exactly that.

So that 1% is…?

On the outside, on this range-topping Glide derivative, it’d be daytime running lights. And on the inside … well, nothing’s new. Other than the fact that some equipment that was optional before is now standard. We’re talking more a model-year change than actual facelift here.

Got it. And this, you say, is the top-spec model. What do I get as standard now?

Yes, the Glide replaces the Fluid at the top of the Grand i10 line-up and you get such conveniences as height-adjustable seats and seatbelts (though the steering remains rake-adjust only), electric folding and heated side-mirrors, electric windows front and rear, rear parking assistance and Bluetooth connectivity with steering wheel remote controls.

As standard, the Glide now also offers leather upholstery (although doubts remain as to how many cows were harmed in its making) and light-red inserts on the instrument, centre console and door panels, which I must say, do add a little welcome flair. There’s also an infotainment system with a full-colour touchscreen, the daytime running lights mentioned earlier, and a two-year/30 000 km service plan to go along with Hyundai’s five-year/150 000 km warranty (plus an additional two-year/50 000 km powertrain warranty). And you get all that for exactly the same price as the outgoing Fluid derivative.

And it ticks all the essential safety boxes as well?

Indeed it does. In fact, all derivatives in the range now features dual front airbags, along with ABS, although it still does not come equipped with Isofix child seat points on the rear bench. In terms of spec versus price, it must be said, this i10 Grand is tough to beat in its segment.

No changes to the drivetrain either, I take it?

Nope. Under that little bonnet is still Hyundai’s familiar 1,25-litre unit from the “Kappa” engine family. Its outputs remain the same, delivering 64 kW at 6 000 r/min, with a maximum torque delivery of 120 Nm at 4 000 r/min.

What’s it like to drive?

It’s reasonably perky. Look, a 12,2-second 0-100 km/h time isn’t exactly quick, but I had a passenger with me on the launch and, with the transmission’s five-speed manual allowing me to hook into the ideal rev range, it never felt sluggish. That said, up at altitude, and with a couple more people in the back, this naturally aspirated four-cylinder unit might struggle a little. Hyundai claims a fuel consumption of 5,9 L/100 km, but around 7,0 L/100 km is a more realistic everyday figure.

The ride is quite soft – as is appropriate for a car in this segment – but not wallowy. The Grand i10’s MacPherson strut front suspension, helped by the electrically assisted steering, provides accurate turn-in, while the rear torsion beam suspension set-up, bolstered by improvements to the trailing arm geometry and coil springs, provides predictable enough handling characteristics. But small, sharp road imperfections – often the nemesis of such a suspension system – are felt through the cabin … but again, at this price-point, that’s par for the course.

Seems like a decent little car then?

It is. And, as ever, South Africa's highly knowledgeable motorists know it, too. Last year, Hyundai sold a combined total of 8 342 basic i10s (this line-up has now effectively been scrapped) and Grand i10s in our market and, with this updated range and the addition of a well-priced 1,0 version, the local distributor hopes to push that figure close to the 12 000-mark in 2018.

New 1,0 version, you say? Tell me a little more…

The Grand i10 from Group 1 Hyundai 1,0 Motion manual replaces the old 1,1 Motion and it comes with the same naturally aspirated 1,0-litre found in the Kia Picanto. There’s also an auto version (according to Hyundai, around 30% of recent i10/Grand i10 sales have been autos).

The 1,0 is pretty well-specced for the price and, most importantly, comes with ABS and dual airbags. You also score electric front windows and steering wheel controls with Bluetooth and an integrated microphone. Plus, it’s R5 000 cheaper than the 1,1-litre model it replaces, and that had only a driver airbag and no fancy steering wheel. The 1,0 model seems to be flying off dealership floors, too, with around 630 units finding new owners in January alone.

Article source: http://www.carmag.co.za/car-reviews/driving-impressions/driven-hyundai-grand-i10-125-glide-manual/

Hyundai Accent 2018 review

The current generation of Hyundai’s smallest hatchback, the Accent has been on sale since 2011 and despite facing stiff competition from newer models, it remains the best-seller in the light car segment.

How does a hatch that’s changed very little over the years continue to sell well in a market, which continues to get tougher? I set out to find what’s appealing about it.

A decent multimedia system is essential for keeping yourself and your passengers entertained during the journey.

In the Hyundai Accent for sale, you’ll find a small 5.0-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay. If you’re a Samsung user (like myself) you’re left wondering where the Android Auto is?

Android Auto is available, but needs to be requested at the dealer which will perform a 15-minute software upgrade to unlock this feature.

Rear parking sensors are an optional extra, whilst there are some great standard features such as the noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels inside the car. During my trip very little road noise infiltrated the cabin and having driven several of the Accent's rivals, it’s one of the quietest of the bunch.

Another positive is the 1.6-litre engine. The four cylinder produces 103kW/167Nm, which in this class, feels like a Ferrari.

Unlike some small cars, the Accent doesn't feel out of its comfort zone on the highway, there’s enough power throughout the rev-range to make overtaking easy.

Connected to the engine is a six-speed (torque converter) automatic with manual shifting. Last year the base model Accent was fitted with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) auto, while the torque converter was reserved for the top-spec SR model.

As Hyundai has trimmed the range down to just the Sport, the CVT has been dropped in favour of the traditional auto while there’s also an optional six-speed manual.

There are four-wheel disc brakes compared to the usual combination of front discs and rear drum brakes of the competition.

The Hyundai Accent for sale is best suited to driving through city streets and busy shopping centres.

The Accent’s small size allows it to fit into tight spots. The steering can feel heavy when switching from Reverse to Drive, but the rest of the time it’s light.

Walking back to the Accent with groceries in hand was a reminder that the exterior styling is splendid.

What is attractive about the Accent is a boot that makes objects disappear like a magician’s pocket.

There's 370 litres (VDA) of load space on offer in the Accent, enough to easily swallow my shopping and a massive bag of clothes ready for the charity collection bin.

As already mentioned, the Accent range consists of one car, the Sport, which is available as a hatch or sedan, at Group 1 Hyundai.

One plus for the Accent is the full-sized alloy spare tyre. The only other car in this class with a full-sized spare is the Volkswagen Polo, but that’s a steel wheel.

The official average fuel consumption for the Accent auto is 6.6L/100km.

Verdict

Hyundai’s smallest hatch has a zippy engine, a comfortable interior and loads of boot space. These are the reasons the Accent Sport is still the best selling car in the light car segment.

Article source: https://plus.google.com/u/0/105965938292376412296/posts/8kkNaJgAfha