The Hyundai i20 was released over a year ago, but we recently revisited this versatile, upmarket hatch for a week, and remembered why we thought it was special the first time around.
Styling
The i20 looks snatched and taut with its swept-back LED headlamps, triangular fog lamp housings and sharp, hexagonal grille, which is designed according to Hyundai’s ‘sensuous sportiness’ identity. Viewed from the side, it’s clear that the dynamic greenhouse was designed to cut through the air and boasts a drag coefficient of only 0.33.
Around the back, the i20 dazzles with a contemporary 3D (LED) lighting design that resembles two interconnected arrows facing each other, with the ends wrapping around the car’s rear corners. The i20 certainly looks fast, fashionable, and ready to race, even though it’s not a hot hatch.
Interior quality, comfort features, and space
The i20’s sporty, contemporary design theme is echoed inside with bolstered black vinyl seats with grey central stripes, red edging and red topstitching throughout the ergonomic cabin. The digital cockpit, stylish leather-covered steering wheel and blue ambient lighting in the doors make for an interesting and youthful space that isn’t over the top in any way.
The two USB ports in front and a third one in the back for second-row passengers proved to be a hit with my two teens, as did the wireless Apple CarPlay functionality which would (among other things) read out my Whatsapps to me and play the kids’ favourite playlists via Spotify and Apple Music. (It has Android Auto as well.)
The Fluid (and N Line) models also offer a central wireless charging pad for your phone – quite a luxurious feature in this segment.
The large touchscreen with its sizable instant menu buttons proved simple to use, but if your phone is connected, you’ll probably stick with the fuss-free smartphone mirroring. There is the odd delayed response if you press the stop or play button on-screen, but the system works well otherwise. You also see the rear-camera’s view in the touchscreen display when you shift into reverse.
Cleverly placed binnacles provide convenient storage for smaller items. Fluid models have a central armrest cubby where the whole family stored their face masks and I stowed my remote and house keys.
The i20 has more than enough leg room on row two, and the generously-sized boot easily swallows school bags and everyday sports equipment with room to spare. The i20 is actually the perfect hatch for small families that consist of 3 – 4 members.
The drive, suspension, and fuel consumption
With its firmish suspension, the i20 doesn’t like speed bumps very much and one has to approach them with caution, but it doesn’t mean that the i20 is too hard for the city. A person would just have to try their best to avoid the potholes.
One has to constantly stir the 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbo in town to keep the little pot on the boil (this is not just in the i20, but with any small, turbo-engine paired with a manual ‘box), but out on the open road, the i20 really comes into its own. With very little road noise and excellent road-holding, the i20 loves the twisties and relishes inter-city road trips. Thanks to the 6th gear, fuel economy can be as low as 5 litres per 100 km if you stick to the speed limit on highways. Driving kids around town returned fuel economy of about 7 – 7.2 litres per 100 km.
Safety
The i20, in Fluid guise, has 6 airbags, but no traction and stability control – only the flagship N Line has stability control (as well as hill-start assist), as standard. At nearly R350k, these features should really be part of the deal. The rear-middle seat has only a lap belt but the i20 will probably see no more than 2 kids on the back seat (on a regular basis, anyway).
Pricing
The i20 1.0T Fluid will set you back R342 500 – not cheap, we know, but whether you’re buying new or used, Hyundai is known for its reliability and fair servicing/parts pricing, as well as its class-leading 7-year warranty. However, the cheaper, better-specced base model of the new Polo range which comes in at R315 000 (1.0-litre with 70 kW, also turbocharged) looks more appealing – certainly on paper, if not in the metal. Other contenders include the Kia Rio hatch 1.4 LX, R329 995, and the Mazda2 1.5 Dynamic auto, at R333 800. The Honda Fit 1.5 Comfort comes in at R340 000 while the turbocharged Opel Cora 1.2T Edition, R339 900, has the most torque (205 Nm) as well as the largest number of features – but South Africans are slightly wary of Opel, as parts are not known for being cheap. It offers the best value among its competitors, though.
Verdict
By now, most South Africans have identified Hyundai as a brand that is always a safe bet. And thanks to the brand’s gorgeous new design, you don’t have to sacrifice style for substance anymore.
The i20 has metamorphosised from a practical, easy-to-drive, everyday car into a grown-up, handsome hatch with serious kerb appeal. You’d be silly to overlook it if you’re shopping in this segment.
Keyword: Hyundai i20 1.0T Fluid (2022) Review: Your friendly neighbourhood hatchback