One of best in class, didn't like interior color scheme

First of all, i wish to inform intent of review. I took a test drive of Grand for around 5-6 kms. My intent was to purchase a car (top model with airbags, ABS, alloy wheels), so i took test drive of more cars as well.

In very short, if you are OK with interior color scheme of car and don't wish to read a lenghty review further, there is no better car in market. Go and buy it.. Simple!

First the 'Cons': The only thing i didn't like is the black-beize color scheme where black is very dominant. I would have liked if there was more use and beize and less or no use of black. If you disbelieve me, compare it against i10 (not grand) higher versions which look so nice with pleasing beize color scheme. Also, compare it against Brio higher models which looks like a eye candy while Grand looks dull and too dark, even boot tray is black color in Grand. Beize interiors are my personal taste, if you are OK with color scheme of black-beize, go for it.

Exterior Exterior are good looking specially from back, very nice from sides and above average from front. Polo and Swift still leads the class in exteriors (my opinion only). Polo looks pleasing from all angles while Swift look best from sides and back!

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Grand i10 has best featurs in class,nothing comes close. I am not mentioning the list which you can easily find out, i am considering Asta (O) variant only which is fully loaded.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox

VS competition:

VW Polo: I took a test drive of Polo 1.2 petrol which felt sluggish due to 3 cylinder engine so rejected first. Why no 4 cylinder engne? Indians are really cheap and go after cheap things so VW discontinued its best variant - 1.6 litre due to poor sales.

Honda Brio: Brio has best engine in this class with best weight to power ratio. Impressed with test drive but rejected due to 2 reasons: Impractically small boot space and smaller wheel base results in not-so-good handling on bad roads (more vertical movement).

i20 1.2L: While everything is great, engine lacks punch with lowest weight to power ratio. Rejected.

Swift: Top models of Swift are most serious competition any day. I simply didn't consider it for 2 reasons: 1) It is too common on road  2) All black interiors.

Fabia: Didn't consider it since it has least ground clearance in-class and don't wish to experience after sales suppoprt of Skoda.

i10 (not grand): While it is good, i am looking for slightly bigger/spacious. i10 is too small for my taste.

Etios Liva: Cheapness all over and don't vislualize as my family car. Toyota: Are you listening?

Sedan - Etios: Took a test drive since I also considered it. Engine was nice and smooth but again cost cutting and cheapness is very much evident. During test drive, instrument panel in middle of dashboard looks like a dummy, I felt like it is unreal on a test drive car, just blue and colored stickers. I asked the toyota person accompanying me if this is real, he told me it look very nice at night in blue light. It was really very cheap! Later, i discovered another reason for not buying it - Looks like safety and stability for highway speed has been compromised because Toyota used a lot of plastic and tin in making this car. Can someone believe that Honda Brio (Hatch) and Toyota Etios (Sedan) weight the same (both top variants)? Find it yourself... Shame on you Toyota!

Grand has very nice petrol engine with lot of power and smooth gear box. I am impressed!

Ride Quality & Handling Better than most of competition and no complaints here. You will be pleased! Hyundai has provided ABS on top variants but could have considered EBD also!

Final Words This is the most serious competition for other cars in this class. Nice and smooth engine, gearbox, suspension is nicely tuned and this car has best in-class features.

Areas of improvement  

1) Needs better color scheme for interiors, make it 2 tone beige and i will buy it (top model) same day!

2) Carwale site lists 'Middle rear seat' having 3 point safety belt on Asta(O) variant while showroom people told me that it is not true. They didn't have Asta (O) variant to show me, gave a test drive on Sportz. I beleive them (showroom people) and request Hyundai to include 3 point safety belt to middle rear seat as well. It is important to me since i use a carseat with my kid and wish to mount carseat in middle which demands 3 point belt or latch system. I know that most of cars in India don't offer this feature but someone has to initiate it since lap belts for rear passenger is really dangerous, specially for little kids!

There were no discounts in December 2013 on Grand due to supply-demand in Hyundai's favor. I could have bought it if there was some special offer. I guess that its not wise to pay full in december, better to buy in new year. I have another car in family so we can wait!

Used Car alternatives:

1) Polo 1.6L Petrol - This comes in Highline variant only (top model with airbags, ABS, alloys) and wonderful weight to power ratio with 4 cylinder 1600cc engine although FE will be slighly less. This leaves a Swift behind! If VW hasn't discontinued this variant, i would have purchased it new right away.

2) Honda Jazz - Again one of the best in class. I was not in India for long time and missed those heavy discounts which honda offered while discontinuing Jazz. The only cons in this car is middle seat comfort in rear due to shape of seat.

Engine, Space, Gearbox, Suspension, FeaturesColor scheme of interiors