Hyundai · 1997–2022

Hyundai Atos

The Hyundai Atos (Korean: 현대 아토스) is a city car that was produced by the South Korean manufacturer Hyundai from 1997 until 2014. It was also marketed under the Atoz, Amica and Santro model names. From 1999, the Atos with a different rear fascia and restyled rear side doors is marketed as the Atos Prime and in South Korea and Indonesia as the Kia Visto. It has been available only with a five-door hatchback body style. It was replaced in most markets by the i10 in 2007, but production continued in India until late 2014. The Santro nameplate, used in India, was revived in October 2018. It was once again discontinued in 2022.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Successor: Hyundai i10

All Hyundai Atos data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years → + Compare

Overview

=== Debut of original Atos === The development project for a Hyundai minicar started in October 1995 after the main Korean competitor Daewoo had already put in place the production of a city car, exposing numerous concepts in various international car showrooms that would have foreshadowed the production model (which would become the Matiz designed together with Italdesign Giugiaro). Hyundai produced a concept of a city car which was extremely compact and economical to sell not only in South Korea but also in Europe (market with high sales in the city segment seen the successes of cars such as Fiat Panda, Cinquecento, Renault Twingo and Peugeot 106) and in India. In just 23 months, with a total investment of 155 million dollars, the car passed from the blank sheet to production. In September 1997, Hyundai released it as the Atos, less than 3.50 meters long, characterized by a soft design but a very spacious interior thanks to the shape of the mini-van body, five doors and five seats. At the debut the engine was a four-cylinder petrol 800 cc Epsilon that was approved according to the new restrictive emission standards entered into force in South Korea. For export markets, the Atos adopted a larger 1.0-litre four-cylinder Epsilon engine. Production in the Ulsan plant started in September 1997. The European version was presented at the International Motor Show Germany in Frankfurt the same month and sales began in March 1998. Hyundai for the Atos created a specific base platform, very simple in the mechanical and economic setting to produce because the car had to be sold in emerging markets and therefore have a low price list: the front wheel drive scheme was adopted, with MacPherson front suspension, and a torsion-beam suspension at the rear, front disc brakes and rear dr

Other names

The Atos Prime is marketed as the: Hyundai Amica in the United Kingdom Hyundai Santro Xing in India Atos by Dodge in Mexico Kia Visto in Indonesia and South Korea (Hyundai also sold the original Atoz in Indonesia). Inokom Atos in Malaysia Hyundai Santro in India and Pakistan The original Atos was sold under the Hyundai brand but rebadged as the Atoz (or "AtoZ") in some markets, including the United Kingdom. The Hyundai Santro is a rebadged version of the city car Hyundai Atos sold in some Asian markets, primarily South Asia. The Kia Visto is a rebadged Hyundai Atos Prime.

Markets

=== India === Hyundai entered the Indian market in 1997 with the Atos, marketed under the name Santro. Hyundai derived the name Santro for the Indian market from Saint-Tropez, a French city famous for fashion, because the company wanted to project it as a ‘fashionable’ car. Produced at Hyundai's factory in Chennai, its primary competitor at that time was the popular Maruti Suzuki Zen. The distinctive styling of the first generation had mixed reviews, but the car was a success primarily due to its power steering feature and price. In the years since, the Indian version has undergone a number of upgrades in styling and technology to respond to consumer preferences. In 2003, the first generation (Zip) was replaced with the second generation Atos Prime, marketed in India as the Santro Xing, which enjoyed great sales success. The car was also exported from India in large volumes to the Asia and Oceania region. In its final few years, Santro had become a popular option as a hatchback taxi, and the car was still selling close to 30,000 units per year when Hyundai made the decision to discontinue production. Variants in India The Hyundai Santro was first released in India in 1998. It came with three variants: Santro base, with AC and black bumpers, priced at 2,99,000 INR ex-showroom Santro DX 1, added with front power windows, central locking, high quality fabric upholstery a fabric inserts on door trims, body colored bumpers, rear wiper/washer/defogger, front fog lamps, waistline moulding and full wheel covers, priced at 3,49,000 INR. Santro DX 2, added with power steering and first in class rear seat belts, priced at 3,69,000 INR. These were often criticised for their appearance. In 2000, a new version called Santro Zip Drive was introduced. Changes included were things suc

Specifications

Figures as listed for the 2000-2003, 5 door, 1.0i model with GSi trim as sold in the UK (as the Amica), with standard options. Technical data Fuel Delivery: Multi-Point Injection Transmission: 5-speed manual Engine size & layout: 996 cc, I4, 12 valves Peak Power: 40 kW (54.4 PS; 53.6 bhp) Peak Torque: 82 N⋅m (60 lb⋅ft) 0–97 km/h (0–60 mph): 14.6 s Top Speed: 160 km/h (99 mph) Fuel economy: 6.4 L/100 km (44 mpg‑imp; 37 mpg‑US) Emissions: 151 g(CO2)/km (8.6 oz(CO2)/mi), other emissions below Euro III standard.

Atos EV

Hyundai unveiled at the 1997 Frankfurt Motor Show an electric vehicle based on the Atos, the Atos EV. The Atos EV weights 1,173 kg (2,585 lb), including the battery pack, which holds 24 nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries. An on-board 6.6 kW conductive charger can fully recharge the Ni-MH batteries in seven hours. The Atos EV can travel more than 193 km (120 mi) in stop and go city driving and can reach a top speed of 129 km/h (80 mph).

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Hyundai Atos (FF/MX)

Manufacturer

Hyundai

aka

Hyundai Amica, Hyundai Atoz (Indonesia and United Kingdom), Hyundai Santro (India and Pakistan), Atos by Dodge (Mexico), Inokom Atos (Malaysia), Kia Visto (South Korea, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Philippines)

Production

1997–2014, 2018–2022 (for the second generation of Hyundai Santro)

Assembly

South Korea: Ulsan, India: Chennai (Hyundai India), Malaysia: Kulim (Inokom), Mexico: Campeche (Bering Company), Egypt: Cairo (Ghabbour Group), Pakistan: Sujawal

Class

City car (A)

Body style

5-door hatchback

Layout

Front-engine, front-wheel-drive

Platform

Hyundai-Kia FF

Related

Kia Picanto, Hyundai Getz

Engine

0.8 L Epsilon G4HA I4 (petrol), 1.0 L Epsilon G4HC I4 (petrol), 1.1 L Epsilon G4HG I4 (petrol)

Transmission

5-speed manual, 3-speed automatic, 4-speed automatic

Wheelbase

2380 mm

Length

3495 mm (1998–2004), 3565 mm (2004–2007)

Width

1495 mm (1998–2004), 1525 mm (2004–2007)

Height

1615 mm (1998–2004), 1570 mm (2004–2007)

Kerb weight

845 kg

Successor

Hyundai Eon, Hyundai i10 (for Hyundai Atos), Kia Picanto (for Kia Visto)

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q482491CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyundai_AtosCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1368947491 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2002_Hyundai_Atoz_1.0_Front.jpgCC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Vauxford · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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