2018 Hyundai Santro vs Maruti Wagon R Comparison

maruti wagon r vs hyundai santro

This 2018 Hyundai Santro vs Maruti Wagon R comparison review shows how the both stack up against each other on aspects like price, specs, mileage, interior features & more

The 2018 Hyundai Santro is only days away from its launch on 23 October. The all-new hatchback has so far been known through its codename AH2. It will replace the Eon in the company’s line up of models and will become the most affordable model to wear a Hyundai badge. The new hatchback will be rivalling cars like the Maruti Wagon R, Renault Kwid and entry level models of the Maruti Celerio and the Tata Tiago.

Like the original Santro, the new version will be a direct competitor of MSIL’s popular budget model, which has been selling in great numbers every month. But will it be able to stand a chance in front of the more modern hatchback from HMIL? Let’s find out in our new 2018 Hyundai Santro vs Maruti Wagon R comparison review –

2018 Hyundai Santro vs Maruti Wagon R Price Comparison:

New Hyundai Santro Rs 4 lakh
Maruti Wagon R Rs 4.14 lakh

Prices of the Maruti Wagon R start at Rs 4.14 lakh. There are good chances that the prices of the new Hyundai Santro might undercut those of its Japanese rival by a small margin. However, the AH2 will be launched at an introductory price and it won’t be long before the two models get equally priced.

The fully loaded model of the Wagon R costs Rs 5.35 lakh. While we are still not aware of the price list of the new Santro, there are good chances of the top model costing at least Rs 5.5 lakh. This will be owing to the higher kit that the Korean model will offer.

2018 Hyundai Santro Dimensions

However, in terms of value for money, we feel both the models will be placed equally. The Maruti Wagon R has been the best seller in its class since a long time now. The new Hyundai model will be required to get the pricing really right in order to take on the current segment leader.

Maruti has a legacy of offering unbeatable value for money and this is where the Santro needs to score. While the strong brand recall might be helpful for the new model, only time will reveal the clear winner of this aspect of our 2018 Hyundai Santro vs Maruti Wagon R comparison.

2018 Hyundai Santro vs Maruti Wagon R Mileage Comparison:

New Hyundai Santro 20.30 kmpl
Maruti Wagon R 20.51 kmpl

 Both the manual transmission and the AMT variants of the Maruti Wagon R have an ARAI-certified mileage of 20.50 kmpl. This is only slightly more than the 20.30 kmpl that the manual and the AMT variants of the new Santro will return.

Any small car’s fuel efficiency plays a huge role in its success in India and the Wagon R has been a choice of many owing to its frugal nature. In this respect, the new Santro seems to be almost a match for the Japanese rival, with only a marginal difference in the mileage figures.

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2018 Hyundai Santro vs Maruti Wagon R Specs Comparison:

The Maruti Wagon R is powered by a free-revving K10 engine that made its debut on the A-Star. It is a three-cylinder 1.0-litre unit that offers a maximum power of 67 bhp and a peak torque of 90 Nm. The peppy engine is known to deliver a good mix of performance, mileage, and reliability. The Wagon R comes with a five-speed manual transmission as standard. A 5-speed AMT is optional.

In comparison, the 2018 Hyundai Santro will be powered by a new version of the 1.1-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that powered the old i10. It will offer a maximum power of 68 bhp and a peak torque of 99 Nm. The engine will be much cleaner than its predecessor and should be BSVI-compliant. As the three-cylinder engines are not as refined as four-cylinder motors due to the nature of their design, the Santro might enjoy an advantage over the Wagon R in terms of refinement.

The Hyundai AH2 will be the first-ever model from its company to come with an optional automated transmission. This will make it as good as the Wagon R when it comes to transmission choices. Again, none of the two vehicles win this part of our 2018 Hyundai Santro vs Maruti Wagon R comparison.

2018 Hyundai Santro vs Maruti Wagon R Comparison of Features:

The fully loaded version of the Maruti Wagon R feels too underequipped in front of the new Santro. The Japanese tallboy comes with a double-din stereo, dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, projector headlamps, foldable rear seats, all four power windows, remote central locking, and alloy wheels.

In comparison, the new Hyundai Santro will be a lot better equipped. It will come with rear AC vents, keyless entry with push-button start/stop, touchscreen infotainment system, dual front airbags, ABS, ISOFIX child seats, speed alert warning, speed sensing door locks, impact sensing door unlock, and front row seatbelt reminder. In this part of our 2018 Hyundai Santro vs Maruti Wagon R comparison, the new Korean hatchback has a clear advantage.

2018 Hyundai Santro Spied Testing Again 1

2018 Hyundai Santro vs Maruti Wagon R Comparison of Dimensions:

  New Hyundai Santro Maruti Wagon R
Length 3,610 mm 3,599 mm
Width 1,645 mm 1,495 mm
Height 1,560 mm 1,700 mm
Wheelbase 2,400 mm 2,400 mm
Ground Clearance 160 mm 165 mm
Boot Space 235-litres 180-litres

 

The new Santro is clearly longer than the Wagon R. It’s also wider but the Japanese tallboy is taller and even has a higher ground clearance. Both the models are equally matced in terms of wheelbase. But the AH2 has a much larger boot than what the Maruti Suzuki model offers, which should give it a clear advantage.

While the new model doesn’t come across as a much bigger offering than the current segment leader, it does emerge as the winner of this part of our 2018 Hyundai Santro vs Maruti Wagon R comparison. 

Maruti Wagon R Felicity Limited Edition India 2

2018 Hyundai Santro vs Maruti Wagon R Comparison Verdict

Price – Prices of the new Santro are yet to be revealed but we have been told by reliable sources that they will start at roughly Rs 4 lakh. In comparison, the Wagon R will be slightly costlier but the difference will even out after the introductory pricing offer on the Korean tallboy ends.

Specifications – Both the models are equally matched in this part of the comparison. Both of them offer an AMT and have similar specifications.

Mileage – Even in this part of the comparison, the two models end up being almost equally fuel efficient. Compared to the 20.3 kmpl mileage of the Santro, the Wagon R offers 20.51 kmpl, which is only a little more.

Features – With features like push-button start and multi-function steering wheel, it is the 2018 Hyundai Santro that becomes the clear winner of this part of our comparison. Features like a 7-inch infotainment unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will give it a very premium touch.

Hence, it is clear that none of the two models hold a huge advantage over the other. But the new Korean car just about manages to outclass the current segment leader in our 2018 Hyundai Santro vs Maruti Wagon R comparison.