[Aditya]

The 2023 Hyundai Aura Facelift has been launched in India with a price tag between Rs. 6.30 - Rs. 8.87 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi).



Since the Hyundai Aura 1.0L Turbo-petrol has already been reviewed by Team-BHP, this report will only focus on changes made to the 2023 facelift. To read the full official review, click here.

Introduction

The Hyundai Aura was launched back in January 2020. It was based on the Grand i10 Nios and was positioned as the entry-level sedan in the company's model line-up. It looked more modern than the ageing Xcent, which it would eventually replace; the interiors were among the best in its segment, both in terms of design and quality. Hyundai gave the car some muscle by introducing a turbo-petrol engine. This unit made the Aura a fast sub-4 m sedan. In terms of sales, the Aura has been an average performer in its segment and regularly sells more than 4,000 units per month. It is locked in a battle for second place with the Honda Amaze, far behind the Maruti Dzire - the segment leader.

Now, along with the Grand i10 Nios facelift, Hyundai has launched an updated version of the Aura. Let's have a look at some of the prominent changes made to the car.

First up, there is no turbo-petrol engine available any more. This is a big disappointment for enthusiasts looking for a fun-to-drive little sedan. Engine options now include the same 1.2L Kappa naturally aspirated petrol motor with 5-speed MT & AMT options and a 1.2L Kappa petrol + CNG with a 5-speed MT. What is noteworthy is that these engines are RDE compliant. RDE emission norms are set to be introduced in April 2023. These require a vehicle to emit less than a certain amount of carbon dioxide in realistic driving situations. The 1.2L petrol engine is also E20 fuel ready, which means it can run on petrol blended with 20% ethanol.

Hyundai has given the Aura some cosmetic changes to the exterior and some additional features. It has also introduced some more safety features. The Aura is available in 6 single-tone colour options: Polar White, Titan Grey, Typhoon Silver, Teal Blue, Fiery Red and a new Starry Night shade. Unlike the Grand i10 Nios, no dual-tone colour options are available.

Coming to the interior, the cabin design remains unchanged. However, there is a new instrument cluster, the seats get new upholstery and the front footwells get ambient lighting - just like the 2023 Grand i10 Nios facelift.

In terms of features, the Aura gets cruise control, LED tail lamps, automatic headlamps with escort function, rear A/C vents, an 8-inch touchscreen head-unit with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility and navigation through smartphone, voice recognition, wireless smartphone charging (first in segment) and fast USB charger (Type-C) among others.

The car gets over 30 safety features including 4 airbags as standard (first-in-segment) and 6 airbags (in the top variant), an emergency stop signal (first in segment), a tyre pressure monitoring system (first-in-segment), hill-start assist control (HAC), electronic stability control, vehicle stability management, parking assist with rear parking sensors and rear camera, ISOFIX child seat anchors and more. A burglar alarm has also been added to the equipment list.

The Aura is offered in E, S, SX, SX+ and SX(O) variants. These are priced between Rs. 6.30 - Rs. 8.87 lakhs.

Hyundai is offering a 3 years / 1,00,000 km warranty package. Extended warranty for up to 7 years can be purchased additionally. We strongly recommend this extension if your usage is high. Hyundai is further offering 3 Years Road Side Assistance with the Aura. You can also get a Shield of Trust repair running package for up to 5 years and a Shield of Trust Super maintenance package for up to 5 years.

[Aditya]

2023 Hyundai Aura Facelift Exterior Review

Front end features a new radiator grille, bumper with a large air dam and redesigned LED DRLs:


No changes at the rear, except the reintroduction of the boot-mounted spoiler in the S, SX and SX(O) variants:


No changes to the sides either. Dimensions remain unchanged:


Halogen projector headlamps get automatic and escort functions:


Radiator grille is now split into a slim section above the bumper and a large air dam below. Upper section is completely blanked off:


Redesigned bumper gets a large air dam with a glossy black honeycomb mesh grille. Fog lamps have been deleted and restyled LED DRLs take their place:


DRLs are bright and prominent:


Boot-mounted rear spoiler gets an integrated stop lamp. Interestingly, this spoiler was first introduced in April 2021 and deleted in September 2021:


Refined 1.2L, 4-cylinder Kappa petrol engine is retained. It produces 82 BHP (@ 6,000 rpm) and 114 Nm max torque (@ 4,000 rpm), which is identical to the outgoing car. However, now it is RDE compliant, which means it will emit less than a certain amount of carbon dioxide in realistic driving conditions. It is also E20 fuel ready, which means it can run on petrol blended with 20% ethanol:


Read more on how this engine drives here.

[Aditya]

2023 Hyundai Aura Facelift Interior Review

Dashboard design remains unchanged. Crashpad is finished in brown. Brown, black and glossy black inserts are found in different places:


Leather-wrapped steering wheel is shared with the Grand i10 Nios:


Zooming in to show the contrast brown stitching of the steering:


The Aura is now equipped with cruise control. Switches for the same are located on the right spoke. The switches for browsing through the functions of the MID are also placed here. On the left spoke, the button for disconnecting a call has been replaced by a customisable one:


Reworked instrument cluster consists of an analogue tachometer on the left & speedometer on the right, along with analogue temperature & fuel gauges and a 3.5" MID in between:


The MID shows average and instant fuel consumption, distance-to-empty counter, digital speedometer & outside temperature reading. The trip meter shows the distance travelled, average consumption and time taken. The MID also shows a summary of the drive when you switch the car off:


Additionally, it will double up as a parking sensor display as soon as the reverse gear is engaged:


Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is another first-in-segment feature:


When cruise control is engaged or when traction control is turned off, it is displayed at the top:


Gearshift suggesting tool has been provided:


The Aura now gets automatic headlamps. The light stalk has been altered accordingly:


Switch to turn off the traction control is located next to the headlight leveller and below the right-side A/C vent:






Design of the seats is unchanged. But the light grey upholstery is new. With this colour, the seats can get soiled easily:


"AURA" branding is embossed on the backrest:


A closer look at the new upholstery...


...and the contrast brown piping and stitching:


2 USB ports (Type-C and Type-A) and a 12V power outlet are located below the climate control system on the centre fascia. The Type-C USB port (a first-in-segment) can only be used for charging, while the Type-A port can be used to connect your smartphone to the infotainment system as well as for charging purposes. 12V power outlet gets a flip-up plastic cover:


Hyundai has provided a plug-in USB port that can be slotted into the 12V charging socket. It comes with a plastic cover:


Leather-wrapped 5-speed gear knob gets a glossy black top with a silver border:


Gear lever has a leather boot with contrast brown stitching:


Front footwells get blue illumination:


4 airbags (dual front + side) are standard on all variants of the Aura. This is a first-in-segment safety feature. The top SX(O) variant gets curtain airbags as well:


Rear seat with the new upholstery. Two adjustable headrests, ISOFIX child seat anchors and centre armrest have been retained:


Front seatbacks are scooped out to liberate more knee room for the rear passengers:


Spring-loaded grab handles above all passenger doors. Rear right unit gets a coat hook:
C

[Aditya]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the Indian Car Scene.

[Shreyans_Jain]

Kudos to Hyundai for proactively updating their cars and being transparent and clear about both compliance with both RDE and E20 norms.

Great to see that analogue instrument cluster. Looks so much better than those stupid screens of the Nexon, Carens and Venue.

[Aakash118]

Premium looking interiors, slightly better front looks & better safety equipment makes Aura a much better package than before. Just wish that lovely turbo petrol could be on offer, would had make it the most complete sedan under 10 lacs.

[JacksonStorm]

Positive on Aura 2023:

1. A good-looking analogue instrument cluster
2. Safety features (TPMS, ESC, HAC, 4 airbags standard, and 6 airbags on the top model)
3. Front Design (Reminds me of the Elite i20)

If Hyundai adds the below feature (at least in the top model), then it is a complete package.

1. Front seat adjustable head rest
2. Front seat Driver arm rest

If Hyundai redesigns the rear end (tail lamp design) like the Xcent (Xcent Facelift), then it will look really nice.
The Xcent facelift rear tail lamp design is one of the best designs

[07CR]

There is something seriously wrong with designers at Hyundai. Except the new Tucson and current gen verna, none of their cars look appealing and infact carry a very confused design language. Like this angry face design suits SUVs not compact sedans like Aura.

[padmrajravi]

Six airbags is a great addition. At least in paper, Aura is a complete car now. I wish Hyundai replaces that AMT. Just for that fact alone, I still consider the Aura an inferior car to my Xcent. That said, I haven't heard much complaints about this AMT box.

I can't believe Hyundai still continues with the same rear design. The fact that someone gets paid to approve these designs is a mystery to me.

OT: For our facelift reviews, adding a section of bullet points just to brief about the changes from the original model may help to improve readability. I know we only mention the changes in the facelift reports, but I think we should also summarize them in the beginning as a couple of bullet points like our 'What we like' section in original model's report.

[CarWorld]

Aura has best interiors in compact sedan segment. Better than Dzire and Amaze. Now we get option of ESP, VSM, Hill hold, traction control and six airbags. It has decent 400 plus litre boot size too. It has adjustable rear head rests and AC vents too.This really makes it complete package for someone looking to buy an entry level family sedan. Where it lacks a bit is in power figures 82 bhp vs 89 bhp in competition and AMT as choice of automatic transmission. Although Hyundai AMTs are best in business. Looks very good choice to me.

[sunikkat]

Personal taste and no offence to anyone, but Aura is the most ugly looking car in India. Period.
In a sub 4m design, the designers have tried to incorporate cut, crease, muscle, unlimited lights, chrome etc. Honda has done a much better job with Amaze in the same space.

[Silver Knight]

Most beautiful car in India imho. And, with every iteration, the car is improving its look.

[puntra800]

No offence to anyone but the latest iteration seems like a mishmash of a lot of design elements which not necessarily suit the subcompact sedan segment. The most awkward feature as per me is the blacked out C pillar.

[Rodie09]

Originally Posted by puntra800

No offence to anyone but the latest iteration seems like a mishmash of a lot of design elements which not necessarily suit the subcompact sedan segment. The most awkward feature as per me is the blacked out C pillar.

This design is quite a disaster IMHO. Again, looks are subjective and to me Hyundai Aura has been the worst looking car I have ever seen on Indian roads and continues so with this facelift. No offence to any owners here but this is plain hideous from all sides.

How do people get paid for this? And are there qualified people churning all this or part of some talent hunt program.

That C-pillar element from side profile - that is brutal to eyes.

There may be lots of good things inside or in the powertrain, but I could not take it anymore after the looks part.

[itsmesk]

For some reason, looks ugly. The grill looks too big for the car. Somehow managed to make a spoiler look ugly in the rear and the Black C pillar does not integrate well. Amaze is much better looking.