2019 Hyundai Santro Test Drive Review – Worth The Hype?

Performance – The 2019 Hyundai Santro is all-new but it carries over 1 thing from the Santro Xing and that is the 1.1-litre Epsilon engine. This engine is a 4-cylinder petrol unit producing 69 PS and 99 Nm. The very first thing I noticed is the engine’s refinement and NVH levels. The engine is very silent and vibrations are almost zero. Even while driving, it remains fairly silent for most part and gets vocal only at higher RPMs. The CNG variant produces lesser power and torque though (59 PS and 84 Nm). The petrol variant delivers 15-18 km/l in real world conditions while the CNG variant is claimed to offer 30.5 kms/kg.

The 1.1-litre engine of the Santro offers good drivability and feels quite refined

Crank the ignition and get going and you’ll notice how easy the car is to drive. Low-end is decent for city driving but the engine starts gathering more grunt in the mid-range. It delivers power smoothly all the way to the redline. For a blend of city and highway driving, this engine is very good and offers nice drivability. Outright acceleration from standstill isn’t very quick, but the Santro focuses on better drivability and responsiveness in in-gear acceleration. The 5-speed MT is a joy to use with its slick shifts and light clutch. The gear ratios are well-matched to the engine’s characteristics. I drove the AMT only for a bit but can tell you that while obviously it does have some jerking while changing cogs, it otherwise feels smooth when you’re not going hard on the throttle. I believe a lot of customers will buy the AMT variant for the convenience that it offers.

Driving Dynamics – The 2019 Hyundai Santro has a very pliant suspension set up. The ride is comfortable and the tall-boy attacks potholes with ease, without giving passengers any reason to complain. The car also remains fairly stable on the highways at high speeds and it maintains its composure during sudden lane changes. There is some body roll though which you cannot ignore but then again such cars are usually bought by people who aren’t going to go corner carving. The Santro is precise enough but lacks feedback out on the highways. At city speeds it is very light and makes the driving experience very easy. Braking performance isn’t bad at all, in fact much better than its immediate rivals. However, when you brake hard at high speeds, the Santro tends to skid a bit while losing its rear.