Hyundai Grand i10 vs Hyundai Grand i10 Nios: How Different Is The New One?

We explore what’s new on the latest generation of Hyundai’s compact hatchback ahead of its launch.

The third-gen of the Hyundai Grand i10 has gone through a complete redesign.

It was recently confirmed that the new-gen Hyundai’s compact hatchback will be launched in India as the Grand i10 Nios. The announcement came along with the first set of official images of the new model, which allows us to compare it with the current Grand i10 and see what’s new. The second-gen Grand i10 will continue to be on sale even after the launch of the new Grand i10 Nios which is scheduled for 20 August 2019. Hyundai has already opened pre-bookings for the new hatchback which is expected to have a starting price of just over Rs 5 lakh. Exterior The third-gen of the Hyundai Grand i10 has gone through a complete redesign. The new look not only fits the brand’s latest styling but also lends it a sporty appearance. At the front, the Grand i10 Nios features the latest iteration of Hyundai’s cascading grille design and a new front bumper. It also gets boomerang-shaped DRLs that are integrated into the design of the new front grille. The second-gen Grand i10 had a two-part grille while the DRLs were housed below the fog lamps. Hyundai has decided to continue using halogen lamps but has equipped the new Grand i10 Nios with projector-style headlights and fog lamps. The older model didn’t get any projector-style lighting. Both the current Grand i10 and the new Grand i10 Nios look similar in side profile. However, that resemblance ends where the Nios ends. The new model’s rear looks elongated in comparison and features a new bumper design. The third-gen Grand i10 also gets new black cladding on the C-pillars to connect the windowline to the rear windscreen section, giving it the floating roof design. In contrast, the current model has regular rear door frames that clearly separate the side from the rear. Also, Hyundai is likely to offer dual-tone colour options on the Nios as well. Another cool detail on the C-pillar of the new Hyundai Grand i10 Nios is a stylised 3D graphic that reads G-i10. Hyundai has not yet provided a clear shot of the rear profile of the Grand i10 Nios but we do have a glimpse of its new taillights. Unlike the design on the older model where the lights seem to extend to the sides, the new tail lamps are part of the side now. The placement of the brake and indicator lights have been switched around as well, with the latter now on top. The new Hyundai Grand i10 Nios will come with sportier machine-cut alloys as well. Interior Even the interior of the third-gen Hyundai compact hatchback is all-new, from the seats to the upholstery and the dashboard to the steering wheel. The most noticeable difference over the older model is the infotainment system. Its display is integrated into the housing of the instrument cluster, much like the design on the Kia Seltos. In the second-gen model, the infotainment display is integrated flush into the centre of the dashboard. Hyundai seems to have equipped the Grand i10 Nios with the same 8.0-inch touchscreen unit as offered on the Venue. But here it is flanked by physical controls for some of the infotainment functions. Meanwhile, the current Grand i10 has a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with button and knob controls underneath it. Sticking with identifying new displays on the new Grand i10 Nios, we can just about spot a larger multi-information display in the centre of the instrument cluster layout. The older model’s cluster features the speedometer in the centre, a small MID underneath, the RPM dial on its left with fuel and engine temperature readings to the right of it. The third-gen Grand i10 also gets a new steering wheel that has a different layout for the steering-mounted controls. It seems to be borrowed from the Kona Electric, but with fewer functions. The older Grand i10 had circular AC vents flanking the infotainment display. Now, the Grand i10 Nios features rectangular-shaped vents under the infotainment display which lend it a sharper, up-to-date look. In case you’re particularly fond of circular air vents, the Grand i10 Nios features them in the corners of the dash. However, these are also a new turbine-like design that is somewhat similar to what was seen on the latest Santro. Hyundai has also added a small shelf on the passenger side of the dash, above the glove compartment. The automatic climate controls in the Grand i10 Nios have also been given a fresh layout while still being positioned similar to where they are in the current Grand i10. Hyundai offers the second-gen Grand i10 with a black and beige interior while the first official image of the Grand i10 Nios shows it to have a black and cream interior instead. Even the door pads and door handles are new on the third-gen model. The central console tunnel behind the gear shifter of the Grand i10 Nios features a power outlet, a USB port, maybe an AUX port and most notably a wireless charging pad. While the wireless charging feature is common on most new Hyundais, it is missing from the older Grand i10 model. Engines The new Grand i10 Nios will be getting the same set of 1.2-litre petrol and diesel engines as the current model. On the second-gen Grand i10, the petrol engine is available with a choice of a 5-speed manual and a 4-speed auto while producing 83PS and 110Nm. It also recently got a new CNG variant. However, the Grand i10 Nios will replace the 4-speed AT with an AMT option. Hyundai will be adding the AMT option to the diesel engine with the Nios. It is only offered with the 5-speed manual on the current model. This engine is tuned to produce 75PS and 190Nm. Both these engines are expected to get updates to meet the upcoming BS6 emission norms. Prices The new Hyundai Grand i10 Nios is expected to be priced between Rs 5.2 lakh and Rs 7.7 lakh at the time of launch. Prices for the current model range from Rs 4.98 lakh to Rs 7.63 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Also, Hyundai is expected to discontinue the top-spec variants of the second-gen model while making the lower-spec variants more affordable since it’ll be sold alongside the Grand i10 Nios.