The Hyundai Santro has long been a favorite among Indian car buyers for its practicality, affordability, and reliability. With the reintroduction of the New Hyundai Santro, Hyundai aimed to revive this iconic nameplate by adding a modern twist to the much-loved hatchback. Let’s explore whether the new Santro lives up to the legacy of its predecessor and remains a strong contender in the budget car segment.
Refreshed Design That Retains Familiarity
The new Hyundai Santro features a refreshed yet familiar design that strikes a balance between modern styling and classic charm. The tall-boy stance continues, providing ample headroom and a commanding road presence. At the front, the cascade grille with chrome surrounds, sleek headlamps, and sporty fog lamp housing give it a youthful and energetic look. While not as bold as some rivals, the design appeals to families and first-time car buyers who prefer a neat, conservative aesthetic.
Comfortable and Practical Cabin
Step inside the new Santro, and you’ll be welcomed by a well-thought-out cabin that emphasizes space and usability. The dual-tone beige and black interior offers a bright, airy feel. The dashboard design is simple yet functional, and the 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system (in higher variants) supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, offering entertainment and connectivity on the go.
Rear seat comfort is commendable for a hatchback in this price bracket. With ample legroom, high seating, and wide-opening doors, the Santro ensures comfortable journeys even for taller passengers. The boot space of 235 liters is decent for weekend luggage or grocery hauls.
Smooth Performance for City Drives
Under the hood, the new Santro comes with a 1.1-liter, 4-cylinder petrol engine producing 69 PS and 99 Nm of torque. It’s available with both a 5-speed manual and an AMT (Automated Manual Transmission). The engine feels refined and is tuned more for efficiency and ease of driving rather than sporty performance.
On city roads, the Santro excels with light steering, compact dimensions, and good visibility—all of which make parking and maneuvering hassle-free. The suspension is well-calibrated for Indian roads, soaking up most potholes and bumps with ease.
Mileage That Makes Sense
Fuel efficiency is one of the strongest points of the new Hyundai Santro. It offers an ARAI-rated mileage of around 20.3 km/l for the petrol manual variant and slightly less for the AMT. There’s also a CNG version that offers even better efficiency, making it an ideal pick for budget-conscious buyers or daily commuters.
Safety and Features
Hyundai has equipped the Santro with essential safety features like a driver-side airbag, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, and a strong body structure compliant with crash safety norms. Higher variants offer passenger-side airbags, reverse parking camera, and rear AC vents—features rarely seen in this segment.
Should You Buy the New Santro?
If you are in the market for a budget hatchback that offers a great mix of comfort, practicality, decent features, and low running costs, the new Hyundai Santro deserves a serious look. While it may not be the most powerful or feature-loaded car in its category, it wins in areas that matter most to everyday users—reliability, efficiency, ease of use, and brand trust.
Final Verdict:
The new Santro stays true to its legacy while embracing modernity. It’s a solid all-rounder that continues to make a strong case for itself in India’s competitive hatchback segment.
