Every now and then, we hear some variation of the term “new and better” in an advertisement for something (usually the successor to an existing product) that’s about to enter the market. It’s no different for the automobile industry as well. We end up asking ourselves, “Is the newer edition really better?”
Hyundai’s sales chart leaderboard doesn’t start with the Grand i10 Nios at the very top, but it’s been a consistent seller in the country, and now, the Korean giant has launched a facelift of the popular compact hatchback. When Hyundai first launched the Grand i10 Nios in 2019, they covered almost all the basics, and it delivered what we expect from a budget car and then some. It gave the popular hatchbacks, i.e., the Suzuki Swift and Tata Tiago, a run for their money in the 4-ish years it’s been here. And with the facelifted version, Hyundai aims to take things further and keep things fresh for folks with a tight budget for a car.
Apart from some aspects of the driving mechanics that left us wanting more, the 2019–2023 Grand i10 Nios was a great car. Now, how much of a difference does the updated model make, or is it really better than the one we came to adore?
Let’s find out. For as close a comparison as possible, we’re choosing the ASTA AMT 1.2 Kappa VTVT trim for both models.
Table of Contents
- New Grand i10 Nios vs Old Grand i10 Nios: Body and Dimensions
- New Grand i10 Nios vs old Grand i10 Nios: Engine & Transmission
- New Grand i10 Nios vs Old Grand i10 Nios: Features & Comfort
- New Grand i10 Nios vs Old Grand i10 Nios: Safety Features
- New Grand i10 Nios vs Old Grand i10 Nios: Price Comparison
- New Hyundai Grand i10 Nios vs Old Hyundai Grand i10 Nios: Summary
New Grand i10 Nios vs Old Grand i10 Nios: Body and Dimensions
| New Grand i10 Nios | Old Grand i10 Nios | |
| Length | 3815 mm | 3805 mm |
| Width | 1680 mm | 1680 mm |
| Height | 1520 mm | 1520 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2450 mm | 2450 mm |
| Boot Space | 260 L | 256 L |
10 millimetres—that’s the difference between the two models. The new Grand i10 Nios is 10 mm longer than the old one, making it 3815 mm long instead of 3805 mm long like the old one. As far as the rest of the dimensions go, they are identical in terms of width and height, 1680 mm and 1520 mm, respectively. So you won’t be able to tell them apart if you look at their silhouettes from the front. Even the 2450 mm wheelbase is the same between the two.
The first thing you’ll probably notice is the change in the front bumper. Hyundai changed the design of the fog lights from round ones to a tri-bladed shape. Their position is also a bit inward towards the centre and is surrounded by bodywork going further in. In true Hyundai fashion, the front grille gets a new design that makes it more open, so to speak. The headlight remains the same except for the housing unit.
Talking about bodywork, we can see that it’s more or less the same. Even the ridges on the hood, doors and rear fender are similar to the previous edition, but they stick out a bit more because of the paint job on the facelifted one. We don’t see any notable differences in the A, B, or C pillars, and the partition between doors and windows also stays the same.
Moving to the rear, the bumper stays the same, but the trunk is now a different, more angular shape. Hyundai has also changed the taillights. The side lights on the back of the car complement the three-bladed fog lights. Also, the new Grand i10 Nios has stylish diamond-cut R15 alloy wheels that add to its modern look.
Since it’s just a facelift, you should be able to tell them apart visually. Mostly due to significant changes in the front bumper and taillights, but not from afar or in the dark.
New Grand i10 Nios vs old Grand i10 Nios: Engine & Transmission
| New Grand i10 Nios | Old Grand i10 Nios | |
| Engine | 1.2-litre Kappa Petrol 1.2-litre Kappa Petrol + CNG | 1.2-litre Kappa Petrol 1.2-litre U2 CRDi Diesel 1.0 Turbocharged Petrol |
| Power | 83 PS 69 PS | 83 PS 76 PS 100 PS |
| Torque | 114 Nm 113 Nm | 114 Nm 190 Nm 172 Nm |
| Transmission | 5 Speed Manual / 5-speed AMT 5 Speed Manual | 5 Speed Manual / 5-speed AMT |
| Mileage | 20.7 km/l for Manual / 20.1 km/l for AMT 27.3 km/l for Petrol + CNG | 20.7 km/l for Manual (Petrol) / 20.5 km/l for AMT (Petrol) 26.2 km/l for Diesel |
If you had no problem with the petrol version of the outgoing model, you need not worry about this one. The facelifted version retains the same petrol engine and transmission as the outgoing model. That means the facelift will come with a 1.2-litre Kappa inline-4 that makes 83 PS and sends 114 nm of torque to the front wheels.
Hyundai stopped making diesel versions of their hatchbacks when they started selling cars that met the BS-VI engine standards. But Hyundai does offer factory-fitted CNG kits with a 5-speed manual transmission for the Magna, and Sportz trims. Also, you’ll be glad to know that the CNG models have a mileage of 27.3 km/l, which is a big improvement over the petrol-only models and a little bit more than the diesel model from the previous edition.
New Grand i10 Nios vs Old Grand i10 Nios: Features & Comfort
| New Grand i10 Nios | Old Grand i10 Nios | |
| Infotainment System | 8-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay | 8-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay |
| Wireless Charger | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic Climate Control | Yes | Yes |
| Projector Headlamps | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-function Steering Wheel | Yes | Yes |
| Engine Start Stop Button | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise Control | Yes | Yes |
| Electronically Operated Side Mirrors | Yes | Yes |
| Power Steering | Yes | Yes |
| Navigation System | Yes | Yes |
| Keyless Entry | Yes | Yes |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | Yes | Yes |
There is good news and bad news here. The bad news is that just about everything remains as it is in the new facelift model. A revised instrument cluster, footwell lighting, and grey seat upholstery are among the very few changes. But the good news is that the outgoing model came jam-packed with a lot of features to begin with. So it gets features like auto climate control, rear-mounted AC, Bi-Xenon projector headlamps, LED DRLs, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a touchscreen infotainment system, keyless entry and ignition, electronically adjustable and foldable side mirrors, and a rear parking camera.
The front bumper and taillights have been changed, which makes the car look better from the outside. We would have loved to see stuff like an auto-dimming IRVM, a 360-degree camera, and telescopic steering adjustment. But looking at the value-for-money factor, we can’t complain.
New Grand i10 Nios vs Old Grand i10 Nios: Safety Features
| New Grand i10 Nios | Old Grand i10 Nios | |
| GNCAP Safety Rating | Not Tested | 2-star Safety Rating |
| Front Parking Sensors | No | Yes |
| Rear Parking Sensors | Yes | Yes |
| Airbags | Standard 4 airbags | Standard 2 airbags |
| Electronic Parking Brake | Yes | No |
| ABS, EBD, and ESC | Yes | Yes |
| Blind Spot Indicator | No | Yes |
| Parking Camera | Rear | Rear |
| Auto Headlamps | Yes | Yes |
| Rain-sensing Wipers | No | Yes |
| Tyre Pressure Monitor | Yes | Yes |
Since both cars share the same platform, the facelift also gets the same 2-star Global NCAP safety rating as the outgoing one. However, Hyundai has taken some steps to make the facelifted version safer. For example, all trims have dual front and side airbags as standard, and the top-level Asta also gets curtain airbags.
The base model is the only one that doesn’t have a TPMS system. The Magna AMT, Sportz, and Asta models all have ESC and hill-start assist. While some may still have a hard time getting over the 2-star safety rating, the facelift is certainly safer.
New Grand i10 Nios vs Old Grand i10 Nios: Price Comparison
| New Grand i10 Nios | Old Grand i10 Nios | |
| Entry-level (Ex-Showroom) | ₹ 5.68 lakh | ₹ 5.28 lakh |
| Mid-level (Ex-Showroom) | ₹ 6.66 lakh | ₹ 7.10 lakh |
| Top-level (Ex-Showroom) | ₹ 8.47 lakh | ₹ 8.45 lakh |
The two models were never meant to coexist, so Hyundai priced the replacing facelift similarly to the one we see on the streets today. The base model Era MT has an ex-showroom price of Rs. 5.69 lakh, and the top-tier Asta AMT would cost you Rs. 8.47 lakh out of the showroom, with the rest of the variants playing in between. It falls in the same price range as the outgoing 2019–2023 model, so there is no stark difference here between the two. Out of all the complaints Hyundai cars get, the terms “value for money” or “overpriced” are seldom used, and this is no exception. It’s a direct competitor to the Suzuki Swift, the Celerio, and the Tata Tiago.
New Hyundai Grand i10 Nios vs Old Hyundai Grand i10 Nios: Summary
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it; that’s what Hyundai probably thought when they planned the facelift for this one. The Grand i10 Nios is a popular car with overall positive comments from reviewers and owners alike, and the new version has only improved for not much of a price difference. Hyundai has been doing a great job pricing its products, especially in the affordable budget range, so it goes without saying that the Grand i10 Nios is a remarkable achievement in providing the basic functions of a car along with some feel-good features at a very affordable price range. We think it will continue to sell consistently well and will be a popular choice for first-time buyers or a second car.
