The Hyundai Santro, once a household name across India, made a triumphant return to the market with updated features, modern design, and improved performance. Known for its compact size, comfortable interior, and reliability, the new Hyundai Santro continues to appeal to families, first-time buyers, and urban commuters.
A Legacy Reimagined
First launched in 1998, the Santro was Hyundai’s entry model that helped establish the brand in India. Its tall-boy design, efficient engine, and easy driveability made it an instant success. Over the years, Hyundai phased it out in favor of newer models, but due to its popularity and emotional connection with Indian customers, the company relaunched the car in a new avatar.
The modern Santro retains the charm of the original but adds contemporary upgrades that make it suitable for today’s consumers. With a refreshed exterior and better technology, it blends nostalgia with innovation.
Stylish and Functional Design
The Hyundai Santro sports a bold front grille, sleek headlamps, and a sculpted body, giving it a fresh and youthful appearance. Its tall-boy stance continues, providing ample headroom for passengers and making it easy to get in and out of the vehicle. The compact dimensions make it perfect for crowded city driving and tight parking spaces.
Available in multiple vibrant colors, the new Santro looks energetic and modern, catering to young drivers and small families who want a car that looks as good as it performs.
Comfortable Interior and Smart Features
Step inside the Santro and you’ll find a surprisingly spacious cabin for a hatchback in this segment. The car comfortably seats four adults, with decent legroom and headroom. The dashboard features a clean design, highlighted by a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Other features include rear AC vents—a rare offering in this price segment—along with power windows, steering-mounted controls, and voice recognition. The quality of materials inside the cabin is impressive for a budget car, and the overall layout is user-friendly and ergonomic.
Performance and Mileage
The Hyundai Santro is powered by a 1.1-liter petrol engine that delivers a smooth and refined performance, ideal for both city and highway driving. It comes with a choice of a 5-speed manual transmission or Hyundai’s Smart Auto AMT (automated manual transmission), which makes driving in traffic stress-free.
The engine produces 69 PS of power and 99 Nm of torque, which is sufficient for daily commuting and weekend getaways. It also offers good fuel efficiency—around 20 km/l for the petrol manual variant—making it economical to run.
A factory-fitted CNG variant is also available for those looking for an even more cost-effective and environmentally friendly option.
Safety and Reliability
Hyundai has equipped the Santro with essential safety features such as dual airbags (driver and passenger), ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, and a strong body structure. Hyundai’s reputation for reliability and excellent after-sales service further enhances its appeal.
The Santro also comes with a 3-year/1,00,000 km warranty, which can be extended, providing peace of mind to owners.
Affordability and Value
Priced competitively between ₹4.9 lakh and ₹6.4 lakh (ex-showroom), the Hyundai Santro offers excellent value for money. It competes with cars like the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R and Tata Tiago, and holds its own thanks to Hyundai’s brand value, build quality, and comprehensive features.
Final Verdict
The Hyundai Santro is more than just a re-launched car—it’s a complete package that successfully balances style, comfort, performance, and affordability. For those looking for a dependable city car with modern features and a trusted name, the Santro remains a top contender in the Indian hatchback market.
