2023 Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Facelift Review

First launched in 2019, the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios has always been a car that packs in a lot in a compact size. The premium hatch is known as much for its feature-loaded cabin as it is for giving a smooth and comfortable ride. Now the Korean carmaker has launched a facelift of its most affordable car in the market that gets a fresh look and many more features than before, especially when it comes to safety.

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Design:

The Grand i10 Nios facelift has brought with it many design changes, including a fresh new blacked out grille.

Purely on the basis of the design, this new car looks more than just a facelift. The radiator grille now is all-black and LED DRLs are new too - the boomerang shape has been replaced with a new design. Projector headlamps are pretty much the same, but on the profile you get a new set of alloys, albeit only on the higher trims. The big change though is on the rear with the car getting connecting LED tail lamps which definitely make it look more premium. The hatch has also a new colour with the facelift – Spark green that, along with Polar white, is also available in a dual tone option. 

The boomerang shaped LED DRLs have been replaced with a new design.

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Tech & Interior:

Depending on the variant there are 3 themes to choose from, something not really seen in a car of this segment. The 8-inch touchscreen system remains the same as earlier and is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The instrument cluster is a mix of analogue and digital while you continue to get features like a wireless charger and climate control. What’s new in the cabin is a type-C charging point and footwell lighting. On the 2^nd row you get AC vents, adjustable headrests and ISOFIX mounts though only on the top Asta trim. 

The interior of the hatch gets three themes, depending on the variant.

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Dynamics:

Back in 2019 the Nios was launched with both Petrol and Diesel engine options and one year later Hyundai had also added the more powerful and fun to drive 1.0 turbo to the line-up. This time around it’s just the 1.2 litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol that is doing the duty on the hatch both with 5-speed MT and 5-speed AMT options. CNG variant is available too albeit with just the manual. 

The Grand i10 Nios continues to provide decent performance, more so for the city environment.

The engine makes 82 bhp and 113 Nm that is available from 4,000 rpm.  On the CNG that drops to 68 bhp & 95 Nm. Hyundai says that both drivetrain options are E20 compliant and will be able to run on 20 per cent ethanol-petrol blend, something that’s good looking at the future and Government’s big push towards the green fuel.

With the facelift, Hyundai has dropped the Diesel & Turbo engines, and only one 1.2-litre Petrol/CNG engine is on offer.

The Grand i10 Nios continues to provide decent performance more so for the city environment. The cabin is well insulated from the outside noise and the ride remains comfortable as well. The gearshift too is smooth as ever and the drivetrain doesn’t feel lazy. 

The hatchback's cabin is well insulated from the outside noise, and the ride remains comfortable as well.

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Safety:

A big highlight on the new Nios is clearly the amount of safety features it gets. The top Asta trim now comes with as many as 6 airbags while lower variants get 4 airbags as standard. The Nios now also gets a Tyre pressure monitoring system, Electronic Stability Control, Vehicle Stability Management and Hill Assist control all make their debut on the hatch so indeed the safety quotient has gone up on the car.

The Grand i10 Nios facelift gets a host of safety features, including upto 6 airbags, ESC, TPMS, Hill Assist, and Vehicle Stability Management.

Prices & Verdict

Overall, the new Nios comes across as a comfortable city hatch, one that’ll take you from point A to point B in relative comfort without burning a big hole in your pocket. 

The Grand i10 Nios is great at taking you from point A to point B in relative comfort without burning a big hole in your pocket. 

It is priced starting at Rs. 5.68 lakh for the base manual and goes up to Rs. 8.46 lakh for the top AMT. The two CNG trims are priced at Rs. 7.56 and Rs. 8.11 lakh rupees, all prices are ex-showroom and introductory. Its main rival in the market, the Maruti Suzuki Swift starts at a slightly higher Rs. 5.91 lakh and goes up to Rs. 8.71 lakh for the top AMT. So, at both ends, the Nios even in its new avatar is more affordable than its main rivals and also offers some extra features. The hatch has been a popular pick in its segment and looking at this facelift there’s no reason why the success story won’t continue.