Hyundai i10 has been a huge success for Hyundai in India. In past one year, Hyundai is one of the few car companies which have observed record sales increase, thanks to Hyundai i10 which has made this happen. After this positive response , Hyundai has also launched i10 with Kappa-Engine of 1.2 L capacity. Earlier, the engine was iRDE 1.1 L.
What’s the difference between i10 Kappa and i10 iRDE ?
Technology:
Kappa is a technically advanced engine as compared to iRDE Engine of Hyundai i10. the iRDE engine was an enhanced version of Hyundai Santro Engine. But Kappa is a different design which is technically advanced than the iRDE engine of i10. In tech jargons, it has four valves per cylinders compared to three in iRDE, it has a Dual over-head cam-shaft (DOHC) compared to standard Single overhead cam-shaft (SOHC) in iRDE, it is made of super light weight die cast aluminum. In short it has got better ingredients 
Power:
Now we are talking for something real , the power. i10 Kappa has a power output of 80 BHP
compared to i10Â iRDE which has a max power output of 66.6 BHP . What does it mean? Well it means a lot for the feel of the car, the pick-up and the punch. Its a considerable difference of 20% which means a good amount!
Mileage / Fuel Efficiency:
If you are worried about ever rising fuel prices, then don’t keep away from i10 Kappa just because it has got a bigger and more powerful engine, because you will be surprised to know that there is almost no difference in the fuel consumption average of i10 Kappa and iRDE. In fact, Hyundai claims that i10 Kappa delivers 4% higher fuel efficiency than i10 iRDE. But for practical aspect, you can say that i10 Kappa will not consume more fuel compared to i10 iRDE.
Price:
Rightly said that everything comes for a price, so does the better technology . i10 Kappa is priced a slightly higher than i10 iRDE, simply because it has better technology, more power and good fuel efficiency. But its pure value for that extra money.
Looks:
There is not big difference in exterior looks except for the rear spoiler logo at the back of the car which says 1.2 Kappa. For Interiors, they have been made sporty for certain Kappa variants by providing metal finish inside handles, leather wrapped Steering wheel, gear knob and hand brake, which you will not find in iRDE.
Verdict:
You must have guessed by the comparisons I have made above that Kappa is a clear winner
But if have bought i10 iRDE before Kappa was launched (I am also one of them 
) Don’t loose heart, because i10 iRDE is itself a great car from every aspect when compared to other cars in this segment. Please Share your views and experiences of i10 via comments below. Click here for more such updated directly in your inbox.
Updated on 14th July 2009:
I recently got the EPS (electric power steering) replaced under warranty which comes as a shock to me because I never expected such an important component to fail like this in 13 months of purchase of the car.
One more problem I have faced is my car’s battery got fully discharged and it got complete dead until i got it re-charged from a battery shop. I am yet to get the charging circuit checked, there might be a problem there too.
so my recommendation is that you do your research well before buying hyundai i10.
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29 Comments »
Ashish said :
September 7, 2008 at 9:56 am
my nephew frequently keeps on asking…why go for a higher capacity engine if you can tweak a smaller capacity one (like it has happened for Yamaha-R15) to deliver more power…n i’m often clueless. guide me…
admin said :
September 7, 2008 at 7:46 pm
@Ashish
Thanks buddy for the comment
Your Nephew is right, there is always a possibility to increase the power of the engine using same engine capacity by making the engine components lighter in weight, especially the moving parts, e.g pistons, valves, crank shafts, connecting rods, valves etc.
For example: a 800 CC engine of Maruti 800 gives 37 BHP max power
and Yamaha R5 racing engine of 600 CC gives 120 BHP max power!
Reason:
A lots of energy goes waste in overcoming inertial forces of heavy moving pats of engine. But there is always a balance between the strength and weight of these moving parts. If you can make the moving parts light without loosing strength of the moving part you can take out more energy from engine by burning same fuel in same kind of engine.
If you compromise too much on weight, it will loose strength and will break down
But there is a theoritical limit of this
because you can not get more energy than the energy burnt by fuel, so you gotta increase the engine capacity (CCs) after a limit.
Maruti A-Star - Specifications Features and Looks | CarBlogIndia - All About Automobiles said :
November 20, 2008 at 11:46 pm
[...] The max power of the A-star is equal to that of Hyundai i10 iRDE 1.1 litre version. Although its 20%… [...]
Achal Varma said :
December 29, 2008 at 2:46 pm
hi…i am thinking for an i10 kappa…mileage and durability is my main concern…as i would be stretching to pay the emi of a kappa, i would want no or little maintainance, mileage etc hassles…please guide me whether i go in for a santro xing or an i10…what are the comparative mileage and weight of the cars
admin said :
January 14, 2009 at 10:54 pm
@Achal
If u are looking at milage and maintainece, and overall economy, Santo would be a good options. But I would personally like to but i10 because its a very comfortable and smooth car. If you want economy, go for Xing, but if u can afford to pay somewhat more for ur comfort, i10 is a beautiful and comfortable car. I am using it for last 7 months, no problems so far.
nikhil said :
March 22, 2009 at 11:02 pm
hey just go for i 10 irde …and now i wud tell u guys the truth of both the engines
first of all let me make it clear 1.2 does nt give more mileage than 1.1 …it can only give mileage same as 1.1 when u drive it at 80-85 so u can say its for highway driving ..
i 10 stopped there productions of irde engine in mid feb 2008 and started working on kappa just because they wanted to make more profit …so i wud advise that if u dnt mind spending 35000 extra go for 1.2 but if ui cant and still thinking about increasing the budget thinking that u are getting a great thing ….FORGET IT ….clearly go for 1.1 variant …
Electric Power Steering VS Hydraulic Power Steering said :
May 28, 2009 at 11:03 pm
[...] into the features of the car you are going to buy. For instance, comparing Hyundai Santro and Hyundai i10 , Hyundai Santro has Hydraulic Power Steering whereas Hyundai i10 has electric power [...]
Amit said :
June 17, 2009 at 9:48 am
Hi,
The thread revealed that you have been driving i10 for the last few months. I would like to know the average mileage you are getting and under what traffic conditions. Also mileage is my only concern to decide between i10 iRde and Kappa variant. Many sites specify avg mileage as 14 for i10 iRDE and 17-18 for Kappa variant. Is it true?
admin said :
June 21, 2009 at 11:42 pm
@Amit
My iRDE I10 gives me about 14-15 KMPL mileage, which is good enough for me. I am not sure of kappa, but heard that its nearly same as irde
prashant said :
June 23, 2009 at 10:08 pm
hi,
I am buying a i10 kappa (sportz model) and have also paid an advance for the desired colours. However, I am still confused about whether I am taking the right decision. I have also TD swift diesel and ritz ZXI. Confused with regards to highway experience in i10 kappa and mileage . Please guide.
sanjiv said :
July 14, 2009 at 11:21 am
Dear admin, you are telling that for 7 months u own an i10 iRDE and having no problem. You have mentioned on some other page that recently u have replaced the EPS system. Do you know that i10 has inherent EPS problem???
I invite you to comment on the issue.
admin said :
July 14, 2009 at 5:58 pm
@sanjiv :
yes, i recently got the EPS replaced under warranty which comes as a shock to me because i never expected such an important component to fail like this in 13 months of purchase of the car.
One more problem i have faced is my car’s battery got fully discharged and it got complete dead until i got it re-charged from a battery shop. I am yet to get the charging circuit checked, there might be a problem there too.
so my recommendation is that you do your research well before buying hyundai i10.
prashant said :
July 14, 2009 at 7:14 pm
Hi………,
I have taken the I10 Sportz model (with Kappa Engine). Not aware of its highway performance . Please share your experience . I am dying to take her out on long drive but would rather pay heed to your comments first.
AARIK said :
August 27, 2009 at 11:14 am
YA I10 HAD SEVERE EPS PROBLEM I M ALSO FACING SAME PROB I DONT THINK THAT HYUNDAI COULD EVER BE ABLE TO MFG PROPER ELECTRONIC POWER STEERINGS.I THINK THIS PROB WILL RE OCCUR EVEN AFTER CHANGE OF PART
Ajay said :
October 24, 2009 at 12:21 am
Hi there,
I am looking for small car and unable to decide between Maruti Wagaon R, Cheverolet Spark and My prefrence Hyundai I 10….If i should go for I 10, what should I opt ……ERA or MAGNA… (irde or Kappa) I am concerned about milage and comfort….what is the basic advantage for paying more for Kappa Engine….I have also heard that Magana is coming in IRDE engine …what is the difference between IRDE Era and Magna..
Kinldy guide
aman said :
November 26, 2009 at 2:37 am
hi people>>>>
I was fully convinced that i want to purchase the Astar.
Then came video no 1. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=552S-w_o-bI )
They convinced me that i10 was a better car….
Now….
looking for an answer between the irde or the kappa I surf and reach this page.
First the administrator convinces me that kappa is the choice….. now at the end the whole view changes owing to some EPS system that I haven’t even heard of…..
Please help I desperately need to buy a car by tomorrow…..
P.S- after my expert research i conclude i10 is a better car than the ASTAR
Cheers…. Peace… Stay away from Drugs…
SAI said :
December 1, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Hi Team,
i’m planning to buy my first car… my buget is 4 lacs. i zeroed down to Santro Xing GLS, the main reason for choosing this car is mileage and maintainence and economic car … some ppl confused me saying that it is outdated… why shudn’t i go for i10 ….
Kindly suggest me in terms of mileage and maintainence
Rohit said :
December 1, 2009 at 7:19 pm
@SAI
I personally drive i10 and using it for last 1.5 years, so far no major glitches except for power steering failure which was replaced under warranty. I did not pay for anything except for the scheduled services of the car.
So you can go for it if you like it, maintainence is not too high compared to Santro
mahi said :
December 2, 2009 at 1:07 pm
I have a maruthi wagon r duo(lpg) 2007 january model. Now I think to sale wagon r and buy i 10 irde 2008 march model (used single owner)-price 3,20000. Is it an intelligent decision ? pls reply friends
Rahul Malhotra said :
December 23, 2009 at 4:06 pm
hi can any one suggest me
which one is better car
i10 irde (Magna) & i10 kappa (magna)
Rohit said :
December 23, 2009 at 4:17 pm
@Rahul
I would recommend Kappa
SAI said :
December 23, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Hi Mahi,
3.2 Lac is a bit expensive.. if u can spend 50K extra u can buy a brand new i10 irde that too u might get year discounts now..
ankit said :
December 27, 2009 at 12:13 pm
plz tell me which is better car i1o 1.1 or i10 i.2?i m only concerned about fuel efficiency
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January 4, 2010 at 11:30 pm
[...] launch of Chevrolet beat, Chevrolet brings competition of the market in segment of small cars like Hyundai i10 , Maruti Wagon R, Zen Estilo, Maruti Suzuki Ritz , Tata Indica Vista and other small [...]
vaibhava said :
January 6, 2010 at 4:39 pm
A-Star is really a star, very good pickup, no compairsion with any small car in this price tag. nice grip on road when it is running 145 km/h speed. and also good control. space is not a very big issue, adjust your front seat and you will get lot of space behind front.
prasad, bangaluru said :
January 8, 2010 at 3:11 pm
i bought i10 kappa 1.2 last two month back, it gives very good mileage at high way around 20plus at 60 to 70 kmph and in city condition 10-12 at peak hour,
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January 18, 2010 at 10:52 pm
[...] I will rule out i10 1.1 iRDE from this competition because of its low engine power and torque for a fair competition. For details read – Hyundai i10 1.1 iRDE vs Hyundai i10 1.2 Kappa. [...]
sibi said :
January 29, 2010 at 5:27 pm
When you want value for your money, When you want more out of less money , when you want style and performance go for A-Star .it is the car for every middle class family.t is a very good car in all the spheres.
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February 3, 2010 at 3:13 pm
[...] ICOTY jury in 2008 due to the consumption, operational efficiency and emissions got better with the 1.2 liter kappa engine. For this most of credit is being given to the smart and aggressive advertising of the [...]
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