On Test: Refreshed: Hyundai’s new i20

I spent a week with the popular i20 and have to conclude that it offers a well-rounded motoring package, with stylish good looks. I put the new i20 through it’s paces on urban routes as well as on the open roads of KZN. Comfortable driving with good fuel economy.

“The Hyundai i20 has been a solid competitor over the years in the hatchback market segment. It is a car for many tastes and budgets and offers a comprehensive motoring package, even at its basic trim level,” says Stanley Anderson, sales and operations director of Hyundai Automotive South Africa.

Exterior

The refreshed design of the new i20 includes a new shape and pattern of the front bumper and glossy black radiator grille, which have been enhanced to create an elegant look with sporty elements. At the rear, a redesigned bumper and a unique taillight design completes the picture, while a side view shows the new-look 16-inch alloy wheels for the Executive and N Line derivatives. The Premium variants are equally elegant with their 15-inch steel wheels, cladded with carbon-black wheel covers

Interior

The spacious interior of the i20 is further enhanced by clean, neat ergonomic design, with standard convenience features that deliver excellent value for money.

A mixture of cloth and acritical leather seat covering is used for the Premium and Executive versions, while the N Line comes with exclusive artificial leather seat covers. All derivatives have a manual tilt and telescopic steering column, and seat height adjustment for the driver.

The infotainment system features an 8-inch touchscreen that also doubles as a display the rear park assist and rear-view monitor. The infotainment system links wirelessly to Android Auto or Apple CarPlay applications.

Bose Sound

The Bose Premium Sound System in the i20 N Line is a collaboration between Hyundai and Bose engineers and features eight high performance speakers including a subwoofer. The system is equipped with dynamic speed compensation technology, which monitors vehicle speed and automatically adjusts music levels, ensuring a more consistent listening experience and reducing the need for drivers to make manual adjustments while on the road.

 

Premium

At entry level, the i20 Premium is equipped with a 1,4 litre 4-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission.

One step up in terms of specification level and features, the Executive variants also come with the 1,2-litre engine and 5-speed manual gearbox combination, which delivers fuel consumption as low as 5,9 litres/100 km, or the 1,4-litre engine linked to the 6-speed automatic transmission, where overall fuel consumption of 6,9 litres/100 km has been recorded. At the top of the range is the i20 N Line with its turbocharged 1-litre petrol engine and a 7-speed Dual Clutch transmission, also driving the car through the front wheels.

 

Special, sporty package for i20 N Line

Featuring refreshed design elements both internally and externally, the i20 N Line aims to enhance the driving experience with its sleek and modern appearance.

The i20 N Line also comes with a sunroof as standard equipment, and cruise control with buttons on the steering wheel. ESP (Electronic Stability Program) and HAC (Hill-start Assist Control) are also reserved for the i20 N Line only. A button switch is used to start the i20 N Line.

 

Engines and transmissions

Hyundai’s 4-cylinder 1,2-litre and 1,4-litre petrol engines are the powerplants of choice for the i20 Premium and Executive versions.

The i20 1.2 Premium comes with the smaller 1,2-litre Kappa engine that delivers 61 kW maximum power and 114,7 Nm peak torque. It is linked to a 5-speed manual gearbox and push the i20 to a top speed of 169 km/h. The same engine-gearbox combination, which produces fuel economy of 5,9 litres per 100 km, is used in the i20 1.2 Executive version with its higher trim level.

 

RRP

i20 1.4 Premium (automatic)  R329 900

All i20s are sold with a 7 year/200 000 km manufacturer’s warranty, a 4-years/60 000 km service plan, and 7 year/150 000 km roadside assistance. The service interval is 15 000 km.