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• The Hyundai Grandi10 and Toyota Agya both compete for the cash-strapped consumer's signature.
• The Grandi10 is a better proposition, despite its slightly heftier price tag.
• The Agya comes standard with Toyota's peace of mind.
• For more motoring stories, go to Wheels24
Two budget-friendly cars were launched in South Africa in the latter stages of 2020. The two cars, Hyundai's Grandi10 and Toyota's Agya, both entered the market as alternatives to bigger, more expensive hatchbacks. Though the two cars do battle at different ends of the budget spectrum, buyers will undoubtedly be looking at both when considering their options.
In the Grandi10's case, the line-up consists of 1.2-litre four-cylinder and 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engines; both mated to either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. The trim levels are either Motion or Fluid.
The Agya is powered by 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine, mated to a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission. The car is available in either 1.0 or 1.0 Audio guise.
Stacking them up
Following extensive drives in both cars, it is clear that between the two tested cars, the Grandi10 1.0 Fluid is a far better purchasing option than the Agya 1.0 Audio. Granted, it does carry a higher price tag (R218 900 vs R182 400), but you are treated to a lot more creature comfort than in the Toyota. The Hyundai's fit and finish seem superior to that of the Agya, and occupants are constantly confronted by the car's decent specification level.
The Grandi10 1.0 Motion is only R11 500 more expensive than the Agya Audio, but it should be given a fair chance to prove itself if the Agya is on your options list.
Speaking of the Agya, the interior is decked in poorer materials, and the overall feel does not inspire the same level of confidence or consumer satisfaction as the rest of Toyota's portfolio. The test team believed the cheaper Renault Kwid is in many aspects a better buy than this Toyota. Thankfully for customers acquiring the Agya, Toyota's vast dealer network will ensure that you are always taken care of. This should bode well for customers who value after-sales service.
For this comparative test, however, the Grandi10 gets our vote. And if your budget can stretch that far, the 1.0 Fluid is worth the extra money.
Video: Eighty Photography
