The Hyundai Santro nameplate holds a special place in India’s automotive history, having introduced countless families to their first car experience when it originally debuted in 1998. After a brief hiatus, Hyundai revived the iconic nameplate in 2018, and now, the 2025 iteration takes another significant leap forward. The new Hyundai Santro 2025 masterfully blends the model’s trusted legacy with contemporary design, technology, and efficiency, creating a compelling package that appeals to both nostalgic buyers and new-generation customers seeking an affordable yet feature-rich hatchback.
Design Evolution: Familiar Yet Fresh
The 2025 Santro maintains its distinctive tall-boy design philosophy, which has been its hallmark since inception, but with a thoroughly modern interpretation. The front fascia features Hyundai’s latest design language with a larger, more prominent cascading grille flanked by sleek projector headlamps with LED daytime running lights. The sharper character lines along the sides reduce the visual bulk, while the floating roof design with blacked-out pillars creates a more contemporary aesthetic.
Dimensionally, the new Santro has grown marginally compared to its predecessor, measuring 3,610mm in length, 1,645mm in width, and 1,560mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,450mm. These dimensions position it perfectly in the competitive compact hatchback segment while providing more interior space than many rivals. The increased length and wheelbase particularly benefit rear passenger legroom, a priority for family-oriented buyers.
Available in seven exterior colors, including three new options—Aurora Blue, Titan Gray, and Fiery Red—the 2025 Santro allows for greater personalization. Higher trim levels feature 15-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, integrated roof rails, and chrome door handles that add a premium touch to its appearance.
Spacious Interior with Modern Amenities
Inside, the 2025 Santro represents a significant upgrade over its predecessor. The dashboard follows a horizontal layout with a floating 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system as its centerpiece. Material quality has seen a substantial improvement, with soft-touch materials used on frequently touched surfaces and thoughtful texturing on plastic components to elevate the perceived quality.
The tall-boy design philosophy pays dividends in terms of headroom, while the extended wheelbase enhances legroom, creating a spacious cabin that belies the car’s compact exterior dimensions. The front seats feature improved bolstering and cushioning for better long-distance comfort, while the rear bench can comfortably accommodate three average-sized adults—a rare feat in this segment.
Storage spaces abound throughout the cabin, including a sizeable glovebox, door pockets that can hold 1-liter bottles, a dedicated smartphone shelf with wireless charging capability on higher trims, and four cup holders. The boot capacity stands at a competitive 310 liters, expandable to 725 liters with the 60:40 split rear seats folded down.
Interior Features by Trim Level
| Feature | Era (Base) | Magna | Sportz | Asta (Top) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infotainment | 2-DIN audio with Bluetooth | 8-inch touchscreen | 8-inch touchscreen with navigation | 8-inch touchscreen with navigation |
| Smartphone Connectivity | Bluetooth only | Wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay | Wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay | Wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay |
| Instrument Cluster | Analog with MID | Analog with larger MID | Semi-digital | 4.2-inch digital cluster |
| AC | Manual | Manual with rear vents | Automatic climate control | Automatic climate control |
| Seating | Fabric | Premium fabric | Fabric with leatherette inserts | Leatherette |
| Steering Controls | No | Basic audio controls | Comprehensive | Comprehensive with voice command |
| Charging Ports | 1 USB-A | 1 USB-A, 1 USB-C | 2 USB-C | 2 USB-C, wireless charger |
| Keyless Entry | Remote key | Remote key | Smart key | Smart key with push-button start |
| Speakers | 2 speakers | 4 speakers | 6 speakers | 6 speakers with tweeter |
Powertrain Options: Efficiency and Choice
The 2025 Santro offers two powertrain options, catering to different customer preferences while maintaining Hyundai’s reputation for reliability and efficiency.
The standard offering is an updated version of the 1.1-liter Epsilon petrol engine, now producing 69 PS of power and 99 Nm of torque. This naturally aspirated engine has been refined for better NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) characteristics and improved fuel efficiency. It comes paired with either a 5-speed manual transmission or an automated manual transmission (AMT).
New for 2025 is the introduction of a 1.2-liter Kappa petrol engine with idle start-stop technology, delivering 83 PS and 114 Nm of torque. This more powerful engine is available with either a 5-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT), offering a more premium driving experience with smoother power delivery.
Both engines are now E20 fuel compatible and comply with the latest BS6 Phase 2 emission norms. Hyundai has also introduced a factory-fitted CNG option for the 1.1-liter engine, which delivers 60 PS and 85 Nm while offering exceptional fuel efficiency.
Engine and Performance Specifications
| Specification | 1.1L Epsilon Petrol | 1.1L Epsilon CNG | 1.2L Kappa Petrol |
|---|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1,086cc | 1,086cc | 1,197cc |
| Power | 69 PS @ 5,500 rpm | 60 PS @ 5,500 rpm | 83 PS @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 99 Nm @ 4,500 rpm | 85 Nm @ 4,300 rpm | 114 Nm @ 4,000 rpm |
| Transmission Options | 5MT / AMT | 5MT only | 5MT / CVT |
| Fuel Efficiency (ARAI) | 20.3 km/l (MT), 19.8 km/l (AMT) | 32.8 km/kg | 20.7 km/l (MT), 19.4 km/l (CVT) |
| 0-100 km/h | 14.5 seconds | 17.1 seconds | 12.8 seconds |
| Top Speed | 155 km/h | 140 km/h | 165 km/h |
| Emission Standard | BS6 Phase 2 | BS6 Phase 2 | BS6 Phase 2 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 35 liters | 60-liter water equivalent (CNG) + 35 liters (petrol) | 37 liters |
Technology and Connectivity: Feature-Rich Experience
The 2025 Santro leapfrogs many competitors with its technology offerings. The centerpiece is the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Hyundai’s latest BlueLink connected car technology. This system offers over 60 connected features, including remote engine start/stop, climate control operation, vehicle location, geofencing, and vehicle diagnostics.
Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come standard on all but the base trim, eliminating the need for cables when connecting smartphones. The Hyundai mobile app allows owners to remotely monitor and control various functions of their vehicle, adding a layer of convenience previously unseen in this segment.
The top trim features a sound system developed in collaboration with Bose, comprising six speakers and a dedicated amplifier that delivers surprisingly rich audio quality for this vehicle class. Voice recognition with natural language processing allows for intuitive control of various vehicle functions, including navigation, climate settings, and media selection.
Safety: Prioritizing Protection
Safety has been significantly enhanced in the 2025 Santro, reflecting changing consumer priorities and regulatory requirements. All variants now come with dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, and rear parking sensors as standard. Higher trims add side and curtain airbags, bringing the total to six.
Electronic stability control, hill-start assist, and a tire pressure monitoring system are available on higher variants, while the top-spec Asta trim includes a rearview camera with dynamic guidelines. The body structure has been reinforced with higher usage of high-strength steel, improving crash protection while minimizing weight gain.
Safety Features Across Variants
| Safety Feature | Era | Magna | Sportz | Asta |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbags | Dual front | Dual front | Dual front, side | Dual front, side, curtain |
| ABS with EBD | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Parking Sensors | Rear | Rear | Front & Rear | Front & Rear |
| Camera | No | No | Rear | Rear with dynamic guidelines |
| ISOFIX Child Seat Anchors | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Electronic Stability Control | No | No | Available | Standard |
| Hill Start Assist | No | No | Available | Standard |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring | No | No | Standard | Standard |
| Impact Sensing Door Unlock | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Seat Belt Reminder | Driver | Driver & Passenger | All seats | All seats |
| Speed Sensing Auto Door Lock | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
Pricing and Value Proposition
The 2025 Santro maintains Hyundai’s tradition of offering competitive pricing while delivering feature-rich packages. Starting at ₹5.49 lakh for the base Era variant with the 1.1-liter engine and manual transmission, the range extends to ₹8.75 lakh for the top-spec Asta with the 1.2-liter engine and CVT (all prices ex-showroom).
The sweet spot in the lineup is arguably the Sportz variant, which offers most of the essential comfort and convenience features while keeping the price accessible. The CNG option commands a premium of approximately ₹95,000 over the equivalent petrol variant but quickly pays for itself through fuel savings for high-mileage users.
Hyundai’s comprehensive warranty package further enhances the value proposition, with a standard 3-year/unlimited kilometer warranty that can be extended to 5 years at an additional cost. The company also offers three years of roadside assistance and six free services within the first three years or 30,000 kilometers.
Driving Dynamics: Comfortable and Competent
The 2025 Santro builds on its predecessor’s reputation for easy drivability while addressing some of its shortcomings. The steering is now lighter at low speeds, making city maneuvers effortless, yet it weighs up appropriately at higher velocities to inspire confidence.
The suspension setup has been recalibrated to offer a better balance between ride comfort and handling. MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam at the rear provide stable and predictable handling, while the increased wheelbase improves straight-line stability. Road imperfections are absorbed competently, though sharp bumps can still be felt in the cabin.
Both engine options provide adequate performance for urban environments, with the 1.2-liter naturally offering more enthusiastic acceleration. The manual transmissions feature light clutch action and precise shifts, while the AMT has been improved for smoother transitions between gears. The CVT paired with the 1.2-liter engine delivers the most refined experience, though it comes with a noticeable price premium.
Conclusion: Honoring Heritage While Embracing the Future
The 2025 Hyundai Santro successfully walks the tightrope between honoring its legacy and embracing contemporary expectations. It retains the core values that made the original Santro beloved—spaciousness, reliability, and value—while incorporating the technology, safety features, and refinement that today’s consumers demand.
In a segment increasingly populated by SUV-inspired designs, the Santro proudly maintains its tall-boy identity, offering practical benefits rather than following aesthetic trends. This authentic approach, combined with Hyundai’s reputation for quality and after-sales support, positions the 2025 Santro as a compelling option for first-time car buyers, small families, and those seeking a practical urban runabout.
The Santro name carries strong emotional resonance for many Indian consumers, and the 2025 model lives up to this heritage while setting new benchmarks in its category. It’s not merely a nostalgic revival but a thoroughly modern interpretation of what made the original Santro special—proving that some legacies don’t need reinvention, just thoughtful evolution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does the 2025 Hyundai Santro CNG variant support simultaneous use of both CNG and petrol? A: Yes, the Santro CNG features a dual-fuel system that automatically switches to petrol when CNG is depleted, and the driver can switch between fuels at the press of a button.
Q: What is the maintenance cost for the 2025 Santro compared to its competitors? A: Hyundai offers a prepaid maintenance package that costs approximately 30% less than the segment average, with service intervals of 10,000 kilometers or one year.
Q: Is the 2025 Santro compatible with ethanol-blended fuel available at many Indian pumps? A: Yes, both engine options are E20 compliant, meaning they can run on fuel containing up to 20% ethanol without any modifications or performance issues.
Q: How does the boot space of the 2025 Santro compare to other hatchbacks in the segment? A: The Santro offers 310 liters of boot space (expanding to 725 liters with seats folded), which is larger than most direct competitors like the Maruti Wagon R (235 liters) and Tata Tiago (242 liters).