Buying your first car is a big decision. It’s a commitment that comes to a culmination, after careful contemplation and calculations. Firstly, you will probably not be upgrading to a new car any time soon. More importantly, it’s going to be a car that you will fall in love with and one that will occupy a special place in your heart for the rest of your life.

This is a big ask from a small car (we’re assuming your first car is not going to be a behemoth SUV). One small car that seems ready to take on the challenge is the Hyundai Grand i10 NIOS. Although this is a new facelift, the Grand i10 is not a new name. This small hatchback is a well-known model that has become a beloved family member in many households.

Also worth noting is the fact that the new Hyundai Grand i10 NIOS is the most affordable Hyundai available after the Santro was taken off the market.

As you might have guessed, the cheapest Hyundai is also the smallest. Nevertheless, it is still 10mm longer than the outgoing model. Still, the Grand i10 NIOS is a small hatchback that manages to integrate several design elements that help disguise its smaller proportions. The new Grand i10 NIOS comes with several changes to its predecessor.

Cosmetic exterior changes come in the form of a black-painted radiator grille and bright and prominent LED DRLs. Projector headlamps are housed in a manner that gives the front fascia a mean scowl. Paired with the sharp lines running along the bonnet, the Grand i10 NIOS looks like it means business.

Remember, it’s the Sportz variant that comes with the projector headlamps, lower variants don’t. Those willing to splurge for the top variant will be able to flaunt things like the shark fin antenna, roof rails, and 15-inch dual-tone-styled steel wheels. Keeping things sharp in the rear is the new tailgate design with LED tail lamps. There is also a reflective strip running between the tail light clusters, but it does not light up.

On the inside, there aren’t a lot of bells and whistles to boast about, but that is expected from an entry-level hatchback. Having said that, the simple interiors are well executed. The dash remains pretty much unchanged. One of the changes that you will find is on the leather-wrapped steering wheel which comes in the form of a cruise control button on the spoke. Yes, this small hatchback now gets cruise control.

Those with a sharp eye for detail will also see the headlight stalk can now be toggled to auto, which activates the automatic headlamps that the Grand i10 NIOS now gets. The instrument cluster is also reworked. It features a 3.5” MID flanked by an analog tachometer on the left and an analog speedo on the right. You also get a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) which is a segment first.

Other segment firsts come in the form of footwell lighting, cooled glovebox, and rear ac vents which will be a very welcome addition for the hot summers. The physical knobs for the controls of the AC unit sit under the ac vent and an 8” touchscreen unit that has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There is also a compartment at the very bottom of the centre of the console where you can slot your phone in and use the fast-charging USB-C port to juice up your device.

Segment firsts in terms of creature comforts are a bonus when you are considering an entry-level hatchback. What could provide a more comprehensive outlook on where this entry-level Hyundai stands is the safety features that it comes with. Gone are the days when tiny hatchbacks rivalled the safety features of a Bikram tempo at best. The Hyundai Grand i10 NIOS comes with 4 Airbags, ABS with EBD as standard across all variants. The top variants come with 6 airbags with side and curtain, electronic stability control (ESC), Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) and Hill-start assist control (HAC).

Powering the Grand i10 NIOS is the same refined 1.2L, 4-cylinder Kappa petrol engine from the previous variant. Compared to the old i10, power is marginally increased to 82 BHP of maximum power at 6000 RPM and 114 Nm of maximum torque at 4000 RPM. The drive is comfortable and the small engine works hard to get you around. You will not be going anywhere fast, which is not a prerequisite for a small hatchback. Nevertheless, driving at high revs will cause the engine to be more vocal which driving enthusiasts won’t mind. Additionally, the engine is mated to a light clutch and smooth gearbox.

What it lacks in performance, it makes up for with driving ease. The handling of the Grand i10 is safe and predictable, in line with the expectations of a family hatchback. The steering is effortless to use when parking and at city speeds, and you can easily steer the car with one hand. The turning radius is compact, making the Grand i10 a breeze to drive in the city.

The ARAI rating of the petrol engine is 18.9 kmpl, which is lower than the first-gen i10’s 20.36 kmpl rating. The steering feels reasonably direct, but it’s not communicative, and there is no feedback coming through. The brakes work as expected in terms of pedal feel and capability, and the Grand i10’s ground clearance of 165 mm didn’t cause us any issues.

All of this leads us to the conclusion that the Hyundai Grand i10 NIOS, which starts at Rs.29,96,000, is a great first car, and competent enough to hold its head high amongst its competitors. We like that the Grand i10 NIOS doesn’t want to be a hatchback on stilts behind the façade of an SUV. That trend never really sat well with us. The Grand i10 NIOS is a good package and worth considering if you’re in the market looking for a small hatchback to love.