The Hyundai Santro has long been a name synonymous with trust, practicality, and affordability in the Indian automobile market. First launched in the late 1990s, the Santro quickly became a household favorite. After a brief pause, Hyundai reintroduced the Santro in a modern avatar, updating its design, technology, and safety to match the expectations of today’s urban drivers. The result is a compact hatchback that offers everything a small family or first-time car buyer could need—without breaking the bank.
Bold and Friendly Design
The new Hyundai Santro sports a fresh and cheerful design that appeals to a wide range of buyers. It features a cascading front grille, swept-back headlamps, and sculpted sides that give it a contemporary, dynamic look. The tall-boy stance continues to be one of its key highlights, offering excellent visibility and a spacious feel inside the cabin.
Despite its compact size, the Santro doesn’t feel like a compromise. It looks modern, has a welcoming presence on the road, and comes in a variety of vibrant colors to suit every personality.
Spacious and Comfortable Cabin
Step inside the Santro, and you’ll find a surprisingly spacious and well-appointed cabin. Thanks to its tall-boy design, there’s ample headroom, and the legroom is more than sufficient for both front and rear passengers. The wide-opening doors and high seating position make getting in and out effortless, especially for elderly passengers.
The dashboard is neatly designed with a dual-tone theme, and higher variants offer a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. Rear AC vents—still a rarity in this segment—add to the comfort, especially during hot Indian summers.
Smooth and Reliable Performance
Under the hood, the Santro is powered by a 1.1-liter 4-cylinder petrol engine that delivers about 69 PS of power and 99 Nm of torque. It’s mated to either a 5-speed manual or a Smart Auto AMT transmission, depending on the variant you choose. The engine is known for its smooth power delivery, excellent city drivability, and high fuel efficiency, making it a smart choice for urban commutes.
Hyundai also offers a factory-fitted CNG variant, which is ideal for buyers looking to lower their running costs. With Hyundai’s trusted engine tuning and build quality, the Santro offers a fuss-free driving experience every time.
Easy Handling and City-Focused Dynamics
The Santro is engineered for city roads, with light steering, a small turning radius, and compact dimensions that make it perfect for navigating through traffic and parking in tight spots. The suspension setup is tuned to provide a comfortable ride over speed breakers and potholes, while the brakes offer confidence-inspiring stopping power.
Whether you’re driving in congested city lanes or taking a weekend trip to nearby towns, the Santro handles it all with ease and comfort.
Safety and Features That Matter
Hyundai hasn’t compromised on safety. The Santro comes with standard driver-side airbag, ABS with EBD, and a reinforced body structure. Higher variants offer dual airbags, rear parking sensors, and even a rear-view camera.
Other convenient features include:
- Steering-mounted audio controls
- Power windows
- Electrically adjustable ORVMs
- Rear defogger and wiper
- Voice recognition system
These features are thoughtfully added to improve the day-to-day driving experience.
A Great Value Proposition
The Hyundai Santro offers one of the best combinations of features, comfort, and affordability in the entry-level hatchback segment. With a starting price that’s within reach of most Indian families and a wide range of variants, it offers something for everyone—whether you’re buying your first car, upgrading from a two-wheeler, or looking for a second vehicle.
Add to that Hyundai’s legendary after-sales support, low maintenance costs, and wide service network, and you have a car that’s easy to own and even easier to love.
