Smart SUV for City Driving with Mileage up to 37 km/kg and Bold Features along Low Price
The Hyundai Santro has always been a favourite among Indian families. Now, it’s back with a smarter look, bold features, and impressive mileage of up to 37 km/kg with the CNG version. Though it’s technically a hatchback, the new design and higher stance give it a mini-SUV-like feel, especially for city driving. With a compact body, modern interior, and low price, the Hyundai Santro is the perfect smart car for urban users looking for comfort, mileage, and value.
Let’s look at what makes the new Santro such a great package for city drivers.
Overview Table
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | Hyundai Santro |
| Fuel Options | Petrol / CNG |
| Mileage (CNG) | Up to 37 km/kg |
| Mileage (Petrol) | Around 21 kmpl |
| Transmission | 5-speed Manual / AMT |
| Engine | 1.1-litre 4-cylinder |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Boot Space | 235 litres |
| Top Speed | 140 km/h |
| Price Range | ₹4.9 lakh – ₹6.4 lakh (ex-showroom) |
Hyundai has smartly updated the design of the Santro to appeal to the younger generation. The front of the car features a wide grille with a chrome finish and swept-back headlamps that give it a bold and fresh appearance. The stance of the car is slightly raised, giving it a mini-SUV look, which is what many city buyers now prefer.
From the side, it has clean lines and stylish wheel covers that add to the smart design. The rear comes with large tail lamps and a wide boot gate, making the car look balanced and attractive.
Inside, the cabin is spacious for a small car. The dashboard has a dual-tone finish, and the centre console is neatly placed with well-designed buttons. The quality of the plastics and fit-finish is impressive for this price range. Even taller passengers will feel comfortable in both the front and back seats.
Engine & Performance
The Hyundai Santro is powered by a 1.1-litre petrol engine that produces around 69 PS in petrol mode and 59 PS in CNG mode. The engine is smooth and refined, perfect for city traffic and occasional highway drives.
You get two transmission options – a 5-speed manual and an AMT (Automated Manual Transmission), which makes it easier to drive in stop-and-go traffic. The pickup is decent, and the car feels stable at normal speeds. It’s not made for racing, but it’s more than enough for everyday use.
Ride & Handling
One of the best things about the Santro is how easy it is to drive in the city. The steering is light, and the small turning radius makes parking effortless. Even in narrow lanes or crowded areas, the car feels nimble and quick to move.
The suspension is soft and tuned for comfort. It absorbs most of the potholes and speed bumps well. Even at higher speeds, the Santro remains stable and doesn’t shake much. The wide windows and upright seating give a good view of the road, which helps in driving safely in city traffic.
Features & Tech
Hyundai has added many practical and modern features in the Santro. While it is a budget-friendly car, it doesn’t feel outdated. Key features include:
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7-inch touchscreen infotainment with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
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Rear parking sensors
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Voice recognition
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Steering-mounted audio controls
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Power windows and remote central locking
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Digital instrument cluster with MID display
In terms of safety, the Santro comes with dual airbags, ABS with EBD, seatbelt reminders, and strong body structure. Hyundai has kept both comfort and safety in balance.
Mileage & Fuel Efficiency
The biggest highlight of the Hyundai Santro is its fuel efficiency, especially in CNG mode. It delivers a mileage of up to 37 km/kg, which makes it one of the most economical cars in its category. Even in petrol mode, the mileage is around 21 kmpl, which is very good for a daily-use city car.
With rising fuel prices, choosing the CNG version of the Santro can help families save a lot in the long run. Plus, CNG is easily available in most cities now.
Price & Variants
The Hyundai Santro is available in several trims to suit different budgets. The price starts at around ₹4.9 lakh and goes up to ₹6.4 lakh (ex-showroom). It’s available in the following variants:
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Era – Base model with essential features
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Magna – Mid-variant with infotainment and basic tech
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Sportz – Fully loaded with touchscreen, AMT option, and CNG
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Asta (optional) – With extra safety and styling touches
For those looking for the best balance of price and features, the Sportz CNG is the ideal pick.
FAQs
Q1: Is the Santro suitable for highway drives?
Yes, while it is designed mainly for city driving, it can handle short highway trips comfortably.
Q2: Does the CNG version lose power?
It offers slightly lower power than petrol mode but is still good for regular driving.
Q3: How much boot space is available in the CNG version?
The CNG cylinder takes up some space, but you still get a decent amount of storage for daily needs.
Q4: Is the Santro good for new drivers?
Yes, it’s very beginner-friendly due to its light steering and compact size.
Q5: Are service and maintenance costs high?
No, the Santro has low maintenance costs and Hyundai’s wide service network makes it convenient.
Final Verdict
The Hyundai Santro continues to be a smart and practical choice for city driving. With its compact size, stylish looks, modern features, and amazing mileage of 37 km/kg in CNG, it is perfect for budget-conscious families and first-time car buyers.
It may be small in size, but it offers big savings and solid value. If you’re looking for a smart city car that gives you comfort, mileage, and peace of mind at a low price, the Santro is a deal hard to ignore.