Hyundai Grandi10 Nios Turbo First Drive Review

If you've driven the regular Nios, you'll feel the apparent difference here from the word go. The standard version lacked that pep which is exactly what we get here. This one continues to rev freely till its 6,500rpm redline and power comes in linearly to keep building on to the speed. Then, it does try to make a sporty engine note post 2,500rpm and gets vocal only post the 4,000rpm mark. However, this will rarely be the case as it does the job effectively between 2,000-3,500rpm. The turbo spools up and post 1,500rpm you start to feel a good tug to push the car ahead even with moderate throttle inputs. The additional torque (58Nm over the standard car) also helps with a packed cabin and ferrying around occupants in ease. The car never feels bogged down, even with all the passengers on-board.

The clutch is light and the gearshifts are smooth as a knife sliding into a block of butter. Short and precise throws make things hassle-free, and in fact, help shifting on to a lower gear easily while quickly overtaking a vehicle. That said, it doesn't really require frequent change in gears, as with the tall gearing it can almost reach triple-digit speeds in the second gear itself. Besides, it can easily manage to stay at 100kmph in fifth gear at around 2,100rpm. And, you don't really feel the need of the sixth gear as well. There you see, it's easy to drive sanely and even responsive when putting the pedal to the metal.

Then, its steering is quite light keeping your efforts minimum while parking. It's still a little vague at the centre and doesn’t please much with feedback. Still, it weighs up adequately with the increase in speeds and easily turns the car in the direction it is pointed at. However, the 175/60 R15 section tyres aren't the grippiest of all and induce wheel spin with every aggressive launch. There's even a tendency to understeer if pushed hard around corners. Nonetheless, the brakes are confidence-inspiring with a good bite and feel fairly progressive at the pedal.

Even the hexagonal patterns and textures around are a welcome change from the conventional car designs. Material quality, fit and finish is admirable for it to look and feel the most upmarket cabin in its class. It's also a spacious one offering adequate space for occupants in both rows with good all-round visibility. You can set a perfect driving position thanks to various adjustments, including seat-height setting. Even the seats are comfortable with adequate support and sufficient recline for the backrest. What's more, the cabin also boasts of many nifty storage and stowage places to cater to varying needs of passengers.

Still it remains to be a highly-equipped vehicle with more than what its competitors have to offer. It boasts of an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system paired to an ARKAMYS sound system and a part-digital instrument cluster with a multi-information display. Then, there's wireless charging, smartphone connectivity with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a cooled glove-box, fast-charging USB slots, and so on.

Furthermore, automatic climate control, rear AC vents, engine start/stop button, keyless entry, three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, premium seat upholstery, driver side height adjustment, and electrically adjustable and folding outside mirrors are all to add to the comfort and convenience. Also, as far as safety goes, the Nios boasts of ABS with EBD, dual airbags, rear parking sensors, driver and passenger seatbelt reminder and pre-tensioners, and even a speed alert system as standard. You see, it's quite a long list!

Pictures by Kaustubh Gandhi