The Hyundai Santro has been around for about three years now. Yes, when it was new on the market, it definitely drew more eyeballs than the Palio does today, but that is more due to its out of the world styling than sheer good looks. While it’s not a bad-looker in profile or from behind, its goldfish-like face definitely does not win it a nomination for the Ms Universe stakes.
But that hasn’t stopped people from buying the Santro by the thousands... or keeping goldfish as pets, right? Check out the new Santro at the showrooms now – since March this year, minor detailing changes have freshened up this little car. Clear lens head lamps, re-styled tail lamps, new upholstery and some more... but all this still doesn’t add up to a new car.
If you are well into middle age and arthritic aches and pains, the Santro is the obvious choice. That’s because its tall boy configuration allows you to step from the sidewalk into the car and directly into the seat without flexing your body too much.
Getting in and out of the lower Palio means bending a little and then sinking into your seat, something that demands a fairer share of youth and a supple body.
When it comes to interiors quality, the Korean wins. The quality of fit and finish outclasses the somewhat make-it-cheap fare in the Italian, and that means a youthful (and quirky) facia will greet you as you step into the car, combined with cheery upholstery.
The Santro’s air-con system tries better and more silently to keep the sun’s heat out while its high-position seats allows for a panoramic view outside. That makes for a travelling experience that’s less claustrophobic than in the Palio. Want to check this last statement out? Try crawling through metro traffic jams in both and you’ll quickly agree with us. Bad roads? The Palio. Tired bones? The Santro.
Which car should you make yours?
If there is one car in the hatchback segment that has won our unswerving recommendation over the last three years, it is the Santro. After all, it was voted as Business Standard Motoring Car Of The Year 1999, and not without good reason.
Hyundai Santro and Maruti
Hyundai Motor India’s flagship Santro has usurped Maruti Suzuki’s Alto to occupy the number one bestselling car.
Following the launch of the new 1.1 litre Santro Zip Plus in mid 2002, Santro finished the year with a market share of 32 per cent in the small car market, which includes cars such as Maruti Suzuki Alto, Zen, Daewoo Matiz, , Fiat Palio and Tata Indica.
Alto currently has a market share of about 30.5 per cent, while Tata Indica manages about 17 per cent.
Sales of the country's most popular car, Maruti 800, fell drastically, almost halved, during April, May and June this year to match volumes of B segment car models such as the Santro and Indica - a reason which prompted Maruti Udyog to drop prices of the model in July by Rs 15,000-18,000.
The company is hoping the reduction in prices will widen the gap between A and B segments, resulting in larger sales, which will also help it derive economies of scale at the purchase level. Company estimates show the sales volumes will return to normal levels as a result of the new price positioning.
A Maruti spokesperson while admitting sales of the M800 have dropped, said: "With large discounts and promotions in the car industry, the gap between the price of Maruti 800 and of B segment cars had narrowed. But that has now been corrected with the price drop."
He said that following the price revision in July, there has been an increase in enquiries across the country. Sales of the car are expected to increase in the next few months.
But that hasn’t stopped people from buying the Santro by the thousands... or keeping goldfish as pets, right? Check out the new Santro at the showrooms now – since March this year, minor detailing changes have freshened up this little car. Clear lens head lamps, re-styled tail lamps, new upholstery and some more... but all this still doesn’t add up to a new car.
If you are well into middle age and arthritic aches and pains, the Santro is the obvious choice. That’s because its tall boy configuration allows you to step from the sidewalk into the car and directly into the seat without flexing your body too much.
Getting in and out of the lower Palio means bending a little and then sinking into your seat, something that demands a fairer share of youth and a supple body.
When it comes to interiors quality, the Korean wins. The quality of fit and finish outclasses the somewhat make-it-cheap fare in the Italian, and that means a youthful (and quirky) facia will greet you as you step into the car, combined with cheery upholstery.
The Santro’s air-con system tries better and more silently to keep the sun’s heat out while its high-position seats allows for a panoramic view outside. That makes for a travelling experience that’s less claustrophobic than in the Palio. Want to check this last statement out? Try crawling through metro traffic jams in both and you’ll quickly agree with us. Bad roads? The Palio. Tired bones? The Santro.
Which car should you make yours?
If there is one car in the hatchback segment that has won our unswerving recommendation over the last three years, it is the Santro. After all, it was voted as Business Standard Motoring Car Of The Year 1999, and not without good reason.
Hyundai Santro and Maruti
Hyundai Motor India’s flagship Santro has usurped Maruti Suzuki’s Alto to occupy the number one bestselling car.
Following the launch of the new 1.1 litre Santro Zip Plus in mid 2002, Santro finished the year with a market share of 32 per cent in the small car market, which includes cars such as Maruti Suzuki Alto, Zen, Daewoo Matiz, , Fiat Palio and Tata Indica.
Alto currently has a market share of about 30.5 per cent, while Tata Indica manages about 17 per cent.
Sales of the country's most popular car, Maruti 800, fell drastically, almost halved, during April, May and June this year to match volumes of B segment car models such as the Santro and Indica - a reason which prompted Maruti Udyog to drop prices of the model in July by Rs 15,000-18,000.
The company is hoping the reduction in prices will widen the gap between A and B segments, resulting in larger sales, which will also help it derive economies of scale at the purchase level. Company estimates show the sales volumes will return to normal levels as a result of the new price positioning.
A Maruti spokesperson while admitting sales of the M800 have dropped, said: "With large discounts and promotions in the car industry, the gap between the price of Maruti 800 and of B segment cars had narrowed. But that has now been corrected with the price drop."
He said that following the price revision in July, there has been an increase in enquiries across the country. Sales of the car are expected to increase in the next few months.