This is one of the surprise cars of the year, a car that turns out to be far better than promised. I hadn’t expected anything from the new Hyundai i20. A small hatchback that’s a rival to well established rivals such as the Volkswagen Polo and Ford Fiesta, that’s well equipped for the money with strong residual values. Not, however, exactly a machine to get the enthusiast’s heart racing.
If you’re familiar with the outgoing i20 you’ll notice the big difference in styling. The new car is a mass of creases and sharp edges that are all part of Hyundai’s bold new ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ design language. Yes, car companies really do come up with vacuous statements like that. But to be fair, the new i20 does look neat and sporty. The higher trim levels have the option of a two-tone roof but all versions get LED daytime running lights and LED tail lamps.
It’s also a bigger car than it used to be. The width has been increased by 30mm and the wheelbase extended by 10mm. It was always a car that felt spacious inside but now it’s even better suited to tall adults in the back. In fact, the i20 is now so roomy inside that it questions the point of looking at the larger i30 model.
Before we go for a drive, a quick look under the bonnet. There is only one engine available in the i20 and that’s a 1.0-litre direct-injection three-cylinder petrol engine that produces 99bhp. As with most newcomers today the i20 features a mild-hybrid system although this one is a grown-up 48 volt system as originally introduced on big Audi SUVs.
New for this generation of i20 is a robotised automatic gearbox that replaces the previous torque converter unit. Our car, however, is fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox that features a drive-by-wire electronically controlled clutch. The clutch feels completely natural to use but has the advantage of being able to disconnect the driveline automatically for fuel-saving coasting.
We’re driving the SE Connect which is the entry-level model and costs £18,595. In a straight on-the-road price comparison against the Fiesta and Polo the i20 doesn’t come out in the lead like it used to. However, if you’re looking at a leasing deal those strong residuals are likely to give you lower payments. Also, the SE Connect comes with a lot of standard equipment including much safety technology. Cruise control, lane keep assist, a reversing camera and a 10.25in infotainment screen. Even Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included. Always likely to get a thumbs up from me are numerous old fashioned knobs and switches to control heating, ventilation and audio. Simple and safe to use.
Starting the small petrol engine proves to be a problem. It’s normal to have to press the clutch to start a manual car but not to have to press the brake as well. Once I’d worked out this health and safety gotcha the three-cylinder motor sparked into life. It’s a thrummy engine as most three potters are, but it revs well and is smooth. Plenty of power, too. Better still is the six-speed gearbox which has a really precise action. It’s hard to actually detect but the smooth acceleration from rest is no doubt in part helped by the ISG (Integral Starter Generator) doing its bit to help the internal combustion engine at low revs.
The i20’s suspension is on the firm side which when you run over ridges and bumps in town sends a judder through the body, but on quicker country roads it copes better with bumps. This car reminds me of the Suzuki Swift, another modestly powered simple car that’s far more fun to drive than you would imagine. With a bit more work on the springs and dampers the i20 could retain its fun to drive appeal and be more comfortable.
There’s a lot of hard plastic in the I20’s interior but where your hands will actually be when driving: on the steering wheel and on the gear lever, you will feel leather next to your skin. It’s easy to get carried away fretting about hard plastics when nobody spends time behind the wheel stroking the underside of the dashboard. The steering wheel itself is adjustable for reach and height so you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a comfortable driving position. The seat back adjusts via a lever that gives you a choice of positions rather than the infinate number that a rotary adjuster gives you.
That the i20 is only available with this engine is true for the moment but on the way is a hotter version of the car with a 201bhp motor. That, badged as the i20 N, will join the brilliant i30 N in Hyundai’s line up of hot hatches. That could be a really great little car. Our standard i20 SE Connect shows that even a hundred horsepower is enough for some fun.
Model tested: Hyundai i20 SE Connect
Price: £18,595
Engine: 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol
Power: 99bhp
0-62mph: 10.4 seconds
Max speed: 117mph
Mpg: 54.3
Co2: 118g/km
Keyword: Road test: 2020 Hyundai i20