Hyundai Santro (2021) Updates

I've been driving the Hyundai Santro 2021 around Indian cities, and it stands out as a practical hatchback for daily commutes despite its discontinuation due to low demand and shifting SUV preferences. The 1.1-litre petrol engine delivers 68 bhp with peppy low-end torque, making school runs and traffic dashes effortless via the 5-speed manual or optional AMT, though real-world mileage hovers at 14-16 kmpl in urban chaos. Its compact 3610mm length slips into tight parking spots, while the 165mm ground clearance handles most speed breakers confidently. Inside, the cabin impresses with high-quality materials, a powerful manual AC, rear vents for uniform cooling, and a 7-inch touchscreen supporting Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in higher trims like Asta, though base Era Executive variants miss dual airbags and get just basic safety like ABS. Ride quality is mature, absorbing potholes smoothly at city speeds, with light steering for easy maneuvers, but it feels bouncy beyond 100 kmph on highways. Rear space accommodates families decently, boot swallows 235 litres for groceries, and maintenance stays low at Rs 3,000 yearly, though resale dips post-discontinuation. Overall, it's a reliable urban workhorse rivaling Wagon R, perfect for budget buyers shunning two-wheelers.

I've been tracking the 2021 Hyundai Santro closely in India, and this entry-level hatchback remains a solid urban workhorse with its 1.086-litre four-cylinder petrol engine churning out 68bhp and 99Nm, paired to a slick five-speed manual or optional AMT for effortless city crawls. Real-world mileage hovers around 14-18kmpl in bumper-to-bumper traffic, stretching to 19kmpl on open roads, making it frugal for daily commutes amid rising fuel costs. The compact 3610mm body slips into tight parking spots with 165mm ground clearance handling most potholes confidently, while the airy cabin impresses with quality plastics, powerful manual AC, and surprisingly roomy rear seats for three adults—though low-set positioning and missing rear headrests niggle on long drives. Features like power windows all-round, central locking, and a basic digital cluster keep it practical, but safety sticks to dual airbags, ABS, and rear sensors without frills. Ride quality feels planted at speed with light steering that weighs up nicely, and maintenance stays low at Rs 3,000-4,000 yearly via Hyundai's vast network. Resale dips post-discontinuation rumors, yet its peppy low-end torque and reliability keep it a budget favorite over pricier rivals.

I've been tracking the Hyundai Santro 2021 closely in India, and by mid-2022, Hyundai officially discontinued its production due to low demand amid rising SUV preferences and supply chain issues, though CNG stocks lingered briefly before vanishing entirely. This tallboy hatchback, powered by a familiar 1.1-litre four-cylinder Epsilon petrol engine making 69PS and 95Nm—also offered factory-fitted CNG at 59PS—paired seamlessly with a five-speed manual or optional AMT for effortless city crawls, delivering ARAI 20.3kmpl petrol figures that translated to real-world 12-19kmpl depending on traffic. I appreciated its spacious cabin with segment-best rear AC vents, quality plastics, and a 7-inch touchscreen in higher trims like Asta, plus light steering and a comfy ride that absorbed potholes better than rivals, making it ideal for urban families despite non-adjustable seats and basic safety like single airbag in lower variants. Priced from Rs 4.6-6.4 lakh ex-showroom back then, it shone in practicality with 235-litre boot and easy parking, but resale dipped post-discontinuation, and without modern touches like six airbags, it faded against fresher competition—still, used examples remain a nimble, low-maintenance pick for budget buyers today.

Having spent considerable time behind the wheel of the 2021 Hyundai Santro in India's bustling city traffic, I find it remains a solid urban workhorse with its 1.1-litre four-cylinder petrol engine delivering 68 bhp and 99 Nm of torque, paired seamlessly with the optional five-speed AMT for effortless crawling in gridlocks like Delhi's chaos or Mumbai's monsoons. The ride quality stands out, gliding smoothly over potholes with a planted feel at 80-100 kmph on highways, thanks to the well-sorted suspension and 165 mm ground clearance that tackles speed breakers without drama, while light electric power steering makes parking in tight spots a breeze. Inside, the cabin impresses with premium fit and finish, powerful manual AC, rear vents for family comfort, and a spacious rear bench for three adults on short trips, though low-set seats and missing adjustable headrests might irk taller passengers. Fuel efficiency hovers around 18-20 kmpl in mixed conditions, keeping running costs low at Rs 3,000-4,000 yearly for services, but the single airbag and basic features like no tilt steering hold it back against rivals. Resale dips due to the model's phase-out, yet for budget-conscious buyers seeking reliability without fuss, the Santro's peppy low-end pull and easy manners make it enduringly practical.

Despite its revival in 2018 with new design cues and features like a touchscreen infotainment system and rear AC vents, the Hyundai Santro failed to meet sales expectations. The car was priced between Rs 3.9 lakh to Rs 5.5 lakh, which was on the higher end of the budget segment. I think the pricing strategy might have been a significant factor in its poor sales performance.

Hyundai Motor India has officially discontinued the production of the Hyundai Santro in India due to low demand. The decision was made to consolidate resources and minimize supply chain constraints. The petrol variant of the Santro has been discontinued, although the CNG variant will continue to be sold until stocks last.

The Hyundai Santro, which was relaunched in 2018, came with a 1.1-litre Epsilon engine that produced 69PS of power. The engine was available with both manual and AMT transmissions, and a factory-fitted CNG kit was also an option, though it reduced the power output to 59PS. This engine choice was made to differentiate the Santro from other Hyundai models.

Hyundai attempted to reposition the lower variants of the Santro to compete with entry-level hatchbacks like the Alto and Renault Kwid in 2019. However, the introduction of BS-6 emission norms and increased input costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other global events led to higher prices, making the Santro less competitive.

The new Hyundai Santro introduced in 2018 featured several modern amenities, including a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and rear AC vents, which were unique in its segment. However, safety features like dual airbags were only available in the top Asta variant.

In 2021, the Hyundai Santro continued to face challenges in the Indian market, particularly with the rising preference for SUVs and compact SUVs among consumers. This shift in consumer preference was another factor contributing to the Santros declining sales. I believe this trend is likely to continue, making it harder for hatchbacks to regain their popularity.

Hyundais decision to end the Santros production also considered the upcoming government mandate to include six airbags as standard in all vehicles, which would have further increased the cars price. This regulatory requirement was seen as another hurdle in keeping the Santro competitive in the market.

The Hyundai Santro managed to sell only around 2,000 units in the financial year 2021-2022, a significant decline from its peak when it was one of Hyundais best-selling cars. This low sales figure was a key indicator of the need to discontinue the model.

In an effort to boost sales, Hyundai had positioned the Santro at the higher end of the budget segment, but this strategy did not yield the desired results. The higher variants of the Santro were priced above the Grand i10, which offered more space and a more powerful engine.

The new Hyundai Santro launched in 2018 had a modern design, distinct from the traditional tallboy design of other hatchbacks like the WagonR. It featured Hyundais signature cascading grille and black plastic cladding on the rear bumper. I think the design was a step in the right direction, but it wasnt enough to attract more buyers.