Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea’s largest carmaker, said Friday its supermini Grand i10 won the 2014 Indian Car of the Year Award for its design and overall competitiveness.

The company said the larger and updated version of the i10, built specifically for the subcontinent, secured around 35,000 orders since its debut three months ago.

The car had instantly received good reviews for its roominess and the level of comfort features not usually found in the economy cars segment.

The carmaker said the award is significant because the Grand i10 beat established rivals like the Ford Escort and Honda Amaze minicars in the hotly contested Indian market.

The award is given based on reviews by 16 expert automotive journalists from nine leading media outlets who check sales figures, performance, technical innovation, design, fuel efficiency, value and response by ordinary consumers.

To enhance fuel efficiency and meet consumer demand, Hyundai has introduced a diesel engine with the Grand i10.

“The award signifies recognition by consumers and the Indian press on the continuous effort put in by Hyundai to upgrade the quality (of its cars),” Seo Bo-shin, head of Hyundai Motor India, said.

The original i10 was named the 2008 Indian Car of the Year, helping the South Korean carmaker’s drive to establish itself firmly in the large emerging market.

Related to the recognition, Hyundai said the Grand i10’s smaller cousin, the all new i10, was named Autobest’s best car for its 2014 model year. The car, which shares the same basic architecture as the Picanto city car, is made by Hyundai’s corporate sister Kia Motors Corp. at its plant in Turkey.

This award was given after 15 car experts from Europe’s fast emerging markets, including Russia, Poland, Hungary and Turkey, examined 13 areas that include after-sale service and quality. (Yonhap News)