5 cars to expect from Hyundai-Nishat Motors

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2018 is turning out to be an important year for the Pakistani automotive industry, it marks the arrival of several new automakers to the country’s shore. Among them is Hyundai-Nishat motors and in today’s article we will be taking a look at some of the models the Korean giant sells around the globe that are likely to be seen on Pakistani roads in a short while. So without further ado here are five cars that are expected from Hyundai-Nishat motors:

2018 Hyundai i10:

  • Engine: 1.0L Naturally Aspirated Inline-3
  • Power: 66 HP
  • Torque: 95 Nm
  • Fuel Economy: 17.5 km/l
  • Price (Estimate) : PKR 1 000 000 – 1 275 000

Starting today’s list is the smallest and cheapest car Hyundai sells, the i10. It competes with the Suzuki Cultus, Wagon-R and of course, its upcoming sister car, the Kia Picanto. The i10 has been an award winner and the class leader ever since the first generation debuted in 2008. The i10 feels very refined on the road with very little road and engine noise, the interior feels fresh and modern thanks to coloured accents and is very well built. It feels responsive and offers sufficient power for city driving and occasional use on the motorway, in fact it is surprisingly fun to drive for a small car with swift handling and quick responses. The i10 has proved to be a very reliable car and that combined with the high fuel economy ensures low running costs. There is plenty of room inside for a small car and the boot is of a decent size. Expect ABS and Airbags as standard and Bluetooth and steering wheel controls on higher trims, however at this price amenities like cruise control are out of the question. The i10 will be offered a 5-Speed Manual and a 4-Speed Automatic transmission and will likely go on sale between Late-2018 to Early-2019.

Also Read: Hyundai Nishat Motor makes it official, signs agreement with Pakistan government

2018 Hyundai Accent/Verna:

  • Engine: 1.6L Naturally Aspirated Direct-Injected Inline-4
  • Power: 123 HP
  • Torque: 151 Nm
  • Fuel Economy: 13.5 km/l
  • Price (Estimate) : PKR 1 700 000 – 1 850 000

The Hyundai Accent/Verna is Hyundai’s compact sedan and goes against the Honda City, Suzuki Ciaz, the GLi/XLi variants of the Toyota Corolla and the upcoming Toyota Vios/Yaris Sedan. The exterior design is elegant and understated and looks more modern than the Honda City and the Suzuki Ciaz  The 1.6L engine is responsive to inputs and offers plenty of power for a compact car. The handling is more than good enough for this class and the Verna is quiet and composed on the road. The build quality is also a step above its main rivals, Pakistani models of the Corolla, City and Ciaz cannot compete with its interior both in terms of design and build quality. The 7-inch infotainment system is expected on upper trims and is the best in the business with quick touch response and the inclusion of Apple Carplay and Android Auto. Cruise control and moonroofs can be found on upper trims but auto-emergency braking and lane departure prevention are not offered, though it is not a big deal at this price point. Safety features like ABS and front Airbags are all here. The Verna comes with either a 6-Speed Manual or a 6-Speed Automatic depending on the trim level, the automatic is a little muted but is still infinitely better than the ancient 4-Speed Automatics found in its rivals. Take all these features, low price and great build quality into account and it is no surprise that the Verna frequently outsells the Ciaz and City in India, even though their City is the next generation and is far better equipped.

2018 Hyundai Elantra:

  • Engine: 1.4L Turbocharged Direct-Injected Inline-4
  • Power: 130 HP
  • Torque: 211 Nm
  • Fuel Economy: 16.5 km/l
  • Price (Estimate) : PKR 1 950 000 – 2 450 000

The Elantra is Hyundai’s offering in the mid-size sedan segment and goes against the Toyota Corolla Altis and the Honda Civic. Let’s start with the best part, the engine. The 1.4L turbocharged and Direct-Injected Inline 4 generates 130 HP and 211 Nm at 1400 just RPM. This low end torque makes it very responsive and pleasant in day to day driving, this engine is mated to a 7-Speed dual clutch automated manual transmission and the accelerates from 0-100 in a quick 7.8s. Since this engine uses Direct-Injection and does most of its work at low RPMs the fuel economy is also class leading. The car handles good enough for a mid-size sedan, and is very responsive to inputs. The interior is quiet and well-built like other Hyundai models and features modern delights like auto emergency braking, Apple Carplay, Android Auto and Lane Departure Prevention. It is also more spacious than its sedan rivals and can seat 5 comfortably. It will present the consumer with an enticing alternative to an Alits or a Civic. With all that said it will be of interest to see how assembly proceeds with a modern engine, as we all are aware that Honda Atlas struggled with introducing Direct-Injection and Turbocharging in the new 1.5T Civic X.

2018 Hyundai Tucson:

  • Engine: 1.6L Naturally Aspirated Direct-Injected Inline-4
  • Power: 130 HP
  • Torque: 160 Nm
  • Fuel Economy: 12 km/l
  • Price (Estimate) : PKR 3 000 000 – 3 500 000

Like any automotive manufacturer of today, Hyundai’s lineup would be incomplete without a crossover. If the Tucson makes an appearance in Pakistan, it would be a game-changer. The Tucson is a mid-size crossover that competes with the Honda CR-V (Which due to import duties starts at Rs. 9.5 Million!). This car has the potential to shake the SUV and crossover market in Pakistan, it would undercut the major players like Honda Vezel, Suzuki Vitara, Audi Q2, BMW X1 and Toyota C-HR (all of which are compact crossovers) in price by some margin. The only direct competition it faces will be its cousin, the Kia Sportage. The Tucson is a decent vehicle with a quiet cabin, great material and build quality and is laden with modern technology. It comes with a 6-Speed Automatic Transmission and All-Wheel-Drive is optional. The ride is comfortable and the suspension deals well with bumps and potholes, it handles well for a crossover but it is not thrilling to drive like the BMW X1 is. While it may be behind the class leaders in terms of performance and fuel economy, the Tucson is a solid vehicle that mainly stands for one thing: value for money and with the heap of features and a low price tag, the Tucson is a solid choice in a crowded segment.

2018 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid:

  • Engine: 1.6L Naturally Aspirated Atkinson-Cycle Inline-4
  • Power: 139 HP
  • Torque: 265 Nm
  • Fuel Economy: 25 km/l
  • Price (Estimate) : PKR 3 250 000 – 3 500 000

Last but definitely not least is Hyundai’s supposed Prius-killer, the Ioniq hybrid. The Ioniq hybrid is a part of the family of cars under the “Ioniq” nameplate which includes the Ioniq Hybrid, the Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid and the Ioniq electric. A 1.6L Atkinson-Cycle Inline 4 beats at its heart making 104 HP mated to a 6-Speed dual clutch transmission. Joining it is an electric motor adding another 41 Hp to the 139 HP combined. As a result the Ioniq goes from 0-100 in a very respectable 8.9s making it quicker than its rival, the Prius. But even more importantly it beats the Prius at its own game, fuel economy. The US EPA rates the Ioniq at 54 MPG (22.9 km/l) ahead of the Prius’s 53 MPG (22.5 km/l). The responses are quite muted, just like the Prius for the sake of efficiency, however there is plenty of power on offer for day to day driving and it never feels underpowered. The suspension deals with bumps and imperfections nicely and handling is good enough for a car of this class. The interior and exterior design is similar other Hyundai models (especially Elantra), unlike the new Prius which has very distinct styling that is quite alienating to some. Overall, the Ioniq delivers on its promise of a pleasant Prius alternative; It comes at a lower price, it looks better than its counterpart, has a better built interior, offers similar fuel economy and is equipped with the latest safety and infotainment technologies. If it is brought here, it is expected to undercut the Prius in terms of pricing, which may give it an edge in appeal but the bigger question is that whether it will be considered a worthwhile option next to SUVs and Crossovers that dominate this price range.

So, this was my list of Hyundai models that I expect to see in Pakistan, and while it is too early to make any definitive conclusions about the future of the Korean automaker, it is safe to say that Hyundai is here to stay and compete with the major players in the years to come.

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25 Comments
  1. muhammad tahir chaudhry says

    sir, hyundai Accent when will lanch in pakistan.
    i want to purchase .
    i have used it in Saudi arabia.
    please give me feed back.

  2. muhammad tahir chaudhry says

    sir,
    hyundai Accent will lanch in pakistan.
    i want to purchased it

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