Goodbye Hyundai Atos

The Hyundai Atos is being discontinued in South Africa, adding another model to the growing list of local cars that will soon no longer be available for purchase.

Hyundai confirmed to TopAuto that the manufacturer has ceased production of the hatchback at its factory in India, meaning that the Atos will soon be removed from its catalogue.

There are approximately 500 units left in stock as of the end of February, it said.

Goodbye Hyundai Atos

The Hyundai Atos is the brand’s cheapest model and is also one of the most affordable cars in the country with a starting price of R199,900.

It is only available in one trim level with a choice of either a five-speed manual or automatic gearbox, with power being provided by a 1.1-litre engine generating 50kW and 99Nm. As a result, the small car boasts an economical fuel consumption of 5.7 to 5.9l/100km.

Its feature list, meanwhile, entails 14-inch wheels, manual air conditioning, USB ports, Bluetooth, electric front windows, a multifunction steering wheel, cloth and vinyl upholstery, and a 7-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Another one bites the dust

The Hyundai Atos is the third car in just the last few weeks to be discontinued in South Africa, following similar news from the Kia Rio and Suzuki Vitara Brezza.

The affordable market space has been hit the hardest of all the vehicle segments in the last couple of years, with hatchbacks in particular seeing the loss of several well-known names.

On top of the Kia Rio, this includes the Ford Figo and Fiesta, Nissan Micra, Datsun Go, and even the BMW i3 – which was one of only two electric cars in South Africa to retail for less than R1 million.

What’s the alternative

With the Atos on its way out, the Hyundai Grand i10 will assume the title as the carmaker’s cheapest model, as it retails for just R15,000 more than the former with prices beginning at R214,900.

The i10 is sold with a choice of two engines – either a 1.0-litre powerplant with 49kW and 94Nm, or a 1.2-litre with 61kW and 114Nm.

Both drivetrains can be had with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic box, and fuel consumption works out to 5.4-5.9l/100km for the smaller power unit and a thirstier 5.9-6.9l/100km for the larger one.

The Grand i10’s base spec sheet then reads much the same as it did with the Atos, though the higher-trim Fluid models receive rear parking sensors, artificial leather seats, daytime running lights, and alloy wheels.