#TriedAndTested: Why the Hyundai Grand i10 is a pretty grand city car

After spending a week in the Grand i10, zipping around Johannesburg, I've realised there are five main reasons why this cute little thing is the perfect city car (if you aren't dabbling in the price class of a Mini Cooper, for example)

1. Technology

Navigation on the Grand i10 is an optional extra (buy an SD memory card for R2,500 to activate the navigation system on the infotainment system), so if you aren't going to opt for that, you at least want to have basic technology such as Bluetooth so you can connect your phone and rely on Google Maps.

The Grand i10 connects seamlessly to a smartphone and with volume controls and handsfree buttons located on the steering wheel, it means you can focus on the road at all times. It also means that you can listen to Spotify or podcasts via your phone rather than hearing traffic report after traffic report while you are anyway stuck in that said traffic.

2. Comfort and safety

The Grand i10 might be a cute, small entry level car, but the manufacturer has done well with avoiding that tin can feeling you get inside many cars in this segment.

Instead, it has a smart upmarket feel with black leather and red cloth as well as red inserts on the instrument and door panels as well as the centre console. A leather steering wheel, electric windows and cupholders are some of the details that make the car comfy and fun to drive.

It comes with dual airbags - one for the front passenger and the other for the driver - and ABS. The alloy wheels might be a bit small to your liking, but in most cases you wouldn't hit the long road with the Grand i10 or go off roading in the Transkei. That would just be silly.

3. Fuel efficiency

The 1.2 engine won't get you atop a mountain, but that's not what it was designed for, as I just mentioned. And even though you might have to switch off your aircon to get up a heavy incline (or to overtake another car), with an average fuel consumption of 5.4l/100km this is a perfect little city car. With the petrol price constantly on the up, what else would you want?

4. Size and space

The little hatchback's small size is one of its strongest assets, I'd say. Parking is a piece of cake. Boot capacity is 256 litres which means you can fit your groceries, two small to medium-sized suitcases, or children's sports kits without too much effort.

Fitting a pram might not be viable, but you can fold down the back seats if necessary. Boot size can increase to up to 1,202 litres when the rear seats are folded down.

5. Affordability and maintenance

The Grand i10, in my opinion, comes with a slightly heavy price tag. The top-of-the-range 1.25 Glide costs R202,900 (which is what I drove), but you could also opt for the basic 1.0 Manual at R149,900. Although, do factor in Hyundai's excellent service and maintenance plan and the fact that its cars last a lifetime without really ever giving any hassles.

It comes with a two-year/30,000km service plan, Hyundai's five year/150,000km manufacturers warranty, additional two years/50,000 km powertrain warranty, and five-year/150,000km roadside assistance.