Used Hyundai Santro: Things To Consider Before Buying

The Hyundai Santro kickstarted the Korean carmaker's innings in India. First launched in 1998, the Santro was discontinued in 2015 before being revived in 2018. During this time the Santro underwent two generation changes and multiple facelifts before Hyundai stopped production of the hatchback in 2022.

The Santro was a highly successful model, recording over two million unit sales in India, thus firmly establishing Hyundai in the market. Its unique 'Tall Boy' shape, refinement, premium feel and reliability make a used Hyundai Santro a practical choice even today. This guide should help you make an informed decision on a second-hand Hyundai Santro.

Evolution of the Hyundai Santro in India:

The Hyundai Santro was first launched in 1998 and underwent two generational updates and multiple revisions before being discontinued in 2022. Here's a look at its lifespan in India:

First Generation Hyundai Santro (1998-2014)

The Santro was Hyundai’s first product launched in India in 1998. It was a direct response to the Maruti Suzuki 800 and Zen which dominated the market at the time. The Santro set new benchmarks in the segment offering more interior space and a larger four-cylinder 999cc engine than the Maruti. With the introduction of the Santro ZipDrive, it offered a segment-first power steering, and then introduced a larger 1.1-litre engine, with the option of a 4-speed torque converter automatic.

Launched in 2003, the Santro Xing brought about the hatchback's first facelift with a boxy design and squarish headlamps. Down the line, Hyundai even offered a factory-fitted CNG kit for the Santro Xing. The Santro Xing soon became one of the best-selling cars in India, before being discontinued in 2014.

Second generation Hyundai Santro 2018-2022:

Hyundai revived the Santro badge with an all-new generation model in 2018. Based on the i10 platform, the new Santro offered more cabin space than the first-generation Santro. It was more premium as well, offering segment-first features like rear AC vents besides electrically adjustable ORVMs, reverse camera and rear parking sensors and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

The Santro continued to use a revised version of the old 1.1-litre engine, paired with a 5-speed manual, or a newly developed AMT. Hyundai even developed a CNG bi-fuel variant for the second-gen Santro in 2018.

The Indian market soon evolved to larger cars, away from entry-level hatchbacks, reducing demand for cars like the Santro. Additionally, owing to enforcement of stricter emission and safety regulations, Hyundai discontinued the second-gen Santro for good and laid the name to rest in 2022.

Hyundai Santro Periodic Maintenance Costs:

While the Hyundai Santro has made a name for itself with its reliability, it is always prudent to stick to the service schedule as prescribed by the carmaker. Here's the service chart with approximate costs.

Here are the prices for some of the common replacement parts for the Hyundai Santro:

Resale Value Of Used Hyundai Santro:

While most used Hyundai cars and SUVs hold good resale value, the vast amount of older Santro cars sold means there are many second hand examples to choose from for a wide budget range. 

While used Santro prices start at ₹ 1 lakh, the Santro Xing is the one to go for if you are looking for a hatchback on a tight budget.If you are keen on a used second-generation Santro, be prepared to shell out between ₹ 3.3 lakh and ₹ 5.6 lakh.  

Second-Hand Hyundai Santro Prices:

Here's a quick look at the price range of a second-hand Hyundai Santro, generation-wise

A lot of factors influence the price of a used car. The notable ones are:

Variants: Higher variants come with more features and are more sought after. The first-generation Santro had LE, LS and GS variants while the Santro Xing came with XE, XP, XG, AT and XS variants. The 2018-2022 Santro was sold in Era Executive, Magna Executive, Magna, Sportz Executive, Sportz and Asta variants.

Mileage: Cars with lower mileage/odometer readings are more desirable as these see lower wear and tear of moving parts like the engine. However, this is not the most accurate indicator of a car's health as it does not account for the way the car has been driven or if the odometer has been tampered with. That said, cars with mileage readings below 80,000km are generally preferable.

Ownership: Cars with single owners are generally well maintained compared to those with multiple owners.

Transmission: With rising congestion on urban roads, an automatic hatchback is quite convenient to drive in the city making them quite sought after. The second generation Santro came with a 5-speed AMT gearbox option that is affordable to maintain and fuel-efficient as well.  

Service history: Santro cars in the second hand market bearing complete service records from authorised Hyundai service centres are more desirable as these service records are easier to maintain, ensuring transparency.

Common Problems With A Hyundai Santro:

While the Hyundai Santro has been a fairly reliable mass-market success, there are some common issues reported by owners.

Electrical: A common problem with the Santro is the alternator failing. This could lead to the battery draining and leaving you stranded. A crucial check before buying a used Santro.

Suspension: Check for a bumpy ride or erratic handling. This could be due to worn-out suspension components. 

Power steering: While the Santro's power steering is quite reliable, high mileage cars may have issues with the steering rack or pump. A thorough check is advisable.

Bodywork: Check the underbody for rust, especially in case of older Santro cars or if you live in coastal areas.

You should always test drive a car before buying and use a comprehensive checklist handy to watch out for during a test drive. 

Hyundai Santro Specifications:

The Santro was only available with petrol powertrains though Hyundai did offer factory-fitted CNG kits in the Santro Xing and the newer 2018-2022 Santro. Here's a detailed look at the specifications:

Hyundai Santro Mileage:

All generations of the Santro used highly fuel-efficient engines offering mileage of around 20.3 kmpl. The Santro CNG variant delivers a mileage of 30.48 km/kg.

Conclusion:

A second-hand Hyundai Santro is a fantastic choice if you are looking to buy your first car or want an affordable runabout in the city. The Santro offers peppy performance, good reliability and ample space to make it a practical city hatchback. There are plenty of used Santros for every budget and despite the Santro being around for two decades, spares are easily available and relatively affordable.