Hyundai Santro Magna

The Hyundai Santro Magna is a compact family car that has been revamped to offer a more premium experience. It comes with a range of engine options, including a 999 cc and 1086 cc petrol engine, and even a CNG variant in some trims. The car features a smooth AMT transmission, which complements the engines character well, making it easy to drive, especially for first-time automatic car buyers. The interior is a highlight, with a modern design, powerful AC, and rear AC vents a unique feature in its segment. The car also includes amenities like a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, steering-mounted controls, and keyless entry. However, it lacks some essential features like dual airbags and tilt-adjustable steering. The Santros handling is confident, with light steering at city speeds and a planted feel at higher speeds, making it a comfortable ride for both city and highway driving. Overall, its a solid choice for those seeking a well-built, comfortable, and feature-rich compact car, albeit with some compromises on safety and features.

The Hyundai Santro Magna is a mixed bag that offers both compelling and lacking aspects. On the positive side, the interior quality and design are standout features, making it feel like a premium hatchback from a higher segment. The cabin is well-built, with appreciable quality of plastics, switchgear, and other materials. The powerful AC and rear AC vents are significant comforts, especially for rear passengers. However, the Santro falls short in the features department, lacking essential safety features like dual airbags and missing out on tilt-adjustable steering, adjustable headrests, alloys, and DRLs even in the top variants. Despite these omissions, the smooth AMT transmission and the cars planted handling make it a comfortable and confident drive, especially in city and highway conditions. If you prioritize interior quality and a premium feel over outright value and comprehensive features, the Santro Magna could be a good choice.

The Hyundai Santro Magna CNG has been priced at Rs. 6.69 lakhs in Delhi, making it a competitive option in the CNG segment. This variant comes with a 1.1 Epsilon MPI CNG engine, a manual 5-gear transmission, and a fuel capacity of 60 litres. It also features a heater, door ajar warning, and 12V power outlets. I think this pricing makes the Santro Magna CNG an attractive choice for those looking for a fuel-efficient vehicle.

Hyundai has introduced the Santro Magna AMT, which is priced at Rs. 5.82 lakhs. This model is equipped with a 1.1-litre Epsilon MPI petrol engine, an automatic transmission, and features like central locking, day and night inside rearview mirror, and steering wheel-mounted controls. The car also includes safety features such as ABS with EBD and a driver-side airbag. I believe the addition of AMT makes the Santro more appealing to city drivers.

The Hyundai Santro has been praised for its modern and premium interior, which feels like it belongs to a higher segment. The car features a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, rear AC vents, and steering-mounted controls. However, it lacks some key features like dual airbags and a tilt-adjustable steering wheel. I think the interior quality is a significant selling point, but safety features need to be improved.

Hyundai has emphasized the performance of the Santro, which is powered by a 1.1-litre Epsilon engine producing 68PS of power. The engine is available with both manual and AMT transmissions, and there is also a CNG variant. The cars refined 4-cylinder engine is a highlight, making it more comfortable to drive compared to its 3-cylinder counterparts. I believe the engine choice is well-suited for the Indian market.

The Hyundai Santro Magna variant has received a 2-star rating in the Global NCAP safety tests, which has raised some concerns about its safety features. Despite this, the car is equipped with essential safety features like ABS with EBD and a driver-side airbag. Hyundai has been criticized for not including dual airbags as standard. I think improving safety features should be a priority for Hyundai in future updates.

The price of the Hyundai Santro Magna in India varies based on the specific trim and transmission chosen. As of recent data, the ex-showroom price for the Santro Magna petrol variant starts around 5.63 lakh, while the Magna AMT variant is priced around 6.23 lakh. On-road prices, including taxes and other charges, can range from approximately 6.5 lakh to 7.5 lakh, depending on the state and local taxes. Its important to note that prices can fluctuate, so its advisable to check with local dealerships for the most accurate and up-to-date pricing. From my perspective, while the prices are competitive within its segment, the value proposition could be stronger with the inclusion of more standard features.

The Hyundai Santro Magna offers a respectable mileage, making it a viable option for those concerned about running costs. The petrol variant is claimed to deliver a mileage of around 20.3 kmpl, which is quite efficient for a car in its class. Additionally, the CNG variant, if available in the Magna trim, would offer even better fuel economy. This mileage is sufficient for daily city driving and occasional long trips, ensuring that the Santro remains a cost-effective choice in the long run.