Hyundai i20: A blend of style, comfort and technology in a premium hatchback The Hyundai i20 has been a popular name in India’s premium hatchback arena for quite some time now, a car known for its blend of style, features and daily usability.
Hyundai has sharpened the design, filled it full of more features and polished out the driving experience with its latest generation. But although the i20 is great in many respects, there are also a couple of drawbacks that buyers should consider.
Design and Road Presence
The i20 has a fresh, modern design and it certainly grabs attention on the road. The broad and bold front grille is juxtaposed by a pair of sharp LED projector headlamps with DRLs giving the car an aggressive look.
The sculpted sides, diamond-cut alloys wheels and Z-shaped LED tail lamps give it a premium feel. It is a hatchback that doesn’t shy away from attention — it screams for it.
The i20’s looks are functional in terms of aerodynamics too – so that makes for good fuel efficiency and stable high speed manners. But others may find the design too busy, with multiple cuts and creases that won’t appeal to all tastes.
Interior Quality and Features
Inside, the cabin doubles down on the promise of something premium. The dashboard is minimalistic but has a futuristic appeal with a big 10.25-inch touchscreen (only in higher trims), digital instrument cluster and all controls neatly placed.
Inside, materials are friendly to the touch, featuring soft-touch elements in strategic areas, although there are still some hard plastics down low in the cabin.
Hyundai really looks out for the tech. On the features front, the i20 gets wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, connected car features , wireless charging, ambient lighting, a sunroof and a high-end Bose audio system in its top trims.
It’s roomy, too, more so for a hatchback — there’s good leg and head room front and rear, and the 311 litres of boot space is fine for urban duties.
Performance and Ride and Handling
The i20 comes with choices of powertrain suitable for different types of driver. The 1.2-litre NA petrol mill is refined and smooth, just perfect for the city. It’s offered with a 5-speed manual or an IVT (CVT) automatic, both geared for comfort, not speed.
For those craving more thrills, the more powerful 1.0-litre turbo-petrol which has got 120 PS offers strong mid-range and is offered in combination with a 7-speed DCT or iMT (clutchless manual).
The turbo feels lively and lends the i20 the character it deserves, especially on the highway overtakes and during rapid driving. But the ride, while mostly in the good-camp wheezy sound-wise, sits on the firm side,
so you will be aware of sharper bumps and potholes in the cabin, especially if your A4 is fitted with bigger alloy wheels.
Steering feel is also light, wonderful for city manoeuvring but some drivers could want a little more heft and feedback at higher speeds.
Safety
Speaking of safety, the various features on offer include six airbags, electronic stability control, hill assist, ISOFIX mounts as well as rear parking sensors along with a camera.
Combined with the other protective aspects, the Ford Focus is one of the most protected hatchbacks on the market.
Pros:
Sporty design that attracts attention in the segment
Well-configured interior: It has large touchscreen, sunroof, Bluelink, Bose sound system
A variety of available engines, including a potent performance V8 and a high-horsepower V6Choice of engines to satisfy both luxury and sport-minded shoppers
Nice inside feel, but plenty of passengers’ space
Up to six airbags in a Safety Package with strong safety credentials.
Cons:
Firmer ride, particularly over poor roads
Top variants are expensive for a hatch back, close to compact SUV zone
Light steering offers little feedback at speed
Premium feel is dulled by some hard plastics lower down in the cabin
No longer any diesel option, which reduces choices for high-mileage drivers
Hyundai i20: Final Word
The Hyundai i20 continues to be one of the most complete hatchbacks on sale in India.
Its striking design, a tech- and feature-rich interior and multiple engine and trim offerings to appeal to a wide swath of buyers.
It is at a premium price point and a little firm riding, but the combination still makes it a strong contender for anyone looking for a good-looking, contemporary hatchback that does more than the average commute.