Indiacar.com -Hyundai i20

While the i20 is good to look at, it’s well put-together too. It has a strong build quality and solidness about it. The i20’s mechanical layout follows the absolute supermini standard with MacPherson struts suspending the front end and a torsion beam axle at the back, damped by gas-charged shock absorbers all round. Electric power assistance for steering is about the most radical item on the spec list and the i20 is the first Hyundai in India to get it. All versions of the i20 ride on 14-inch rims but tyre sizes vary. The base version (Magna) gets steel wheels shod with 175/70 R14 rubber, the higher-end Asta gets a 185/65 footprint.

Interiors
The i20 gets a well designed functional cabin with loads of equipment on offer. The Hyundai is certainly spacious with decent accommodation in the front as well as the rear. It is possible to seat three behind in reasonable comfort. A boot capacity of 295 litres is decent and the flat load area and wide tailgate aperture and 60:40 split rear seats, makes the most of it. There are lots of cubbyholes for oddments and the cooled glovebox is one of the largest AutoCar (Feb. ’09) has seen on an Indian car.
On the flip side the shiny plastics do look a little down market and also the aircon vents are not in keeping with the overall position of the car.
Where the i20 scores is with the amount of equipment it’s loaded with, especially the safety kit. The Asta version gets six airbags and seatbelt warning lights for all five passengers – certainly a first for a hatchback. Another first are the electric folding rear view mirrors. The i20’s centre console features electronic climate control and an integrated music system with steering-mounted controls. The toggle switches are easier to operate than rollers or buttons. The Asta also has USB connectivity, in addition to an auxiliary port, so you can plug in your iPod or MP3 device. A multi-information display on the dash tells you the outside temperature, time, day and date and also journey information.
Strangely the i20 does not have a vanity mirror under the sun shades – which is a small oversight but an important one for lady owners.

Engine, Gearbox & Performance
Under the i20’s shapely bonnet sits the same 1197cc Kappa engine, which we’ve already seen in its baby brother, the i10. This all-aluminum 16-valve motor which develops the same 79bhp and 11.4kgm of torque now has to haul around a body that is significantly heavier. A fully loaded i20 is slower than the i10 especially when overtaking fast-moving traffic but for normal city driving – performance is adequate thanks to the well judged gear ratios that make the most of the Kappa engine. The engine is fairly responsive for the cut and thrust of peak-hour traffic. However AutoCar testers (Feb. ’09) would have preferred a little more low end torque as the car really gets into its stride once past 2500rpm, from where it pulls cleanly to about 5500rpm. The redline is closer to 6000rpm but revving it is pointless as it runs out of breath before that and the soundtrack gets uncomfortably loud. The in-gear slogs see the i20 taking a leisurly 16.98sec in or standard 20-80kph run in third gear. This measured performance is indicative of the i20’s nature at large; it isn’t a slouch, but it isn’t exciting either.

On the Road
The lightness of the i20’s controls is immediately apparent and it’s also obvious that the i20’s engineering team has focused attention more on comfort than outright handling prowess. The clutch pedal’s lack of resistance takes some getting used to but the generous assistance of the electric power steering and the light gearshift make the i20 a restful companion. The soft suspension also does a decent job of dealing with speed breakers and potholes and appears well up to the task of dealing with Indian roads. Yes, it does tend to bob a bit on patchy roads, but one needs to ease of the throttle in such circumstances. The i20, say AutoCar testers (Feb. ’09) is not for spirited driving, it feels best when driven at a relaxed pace.

Fuel Efficiency
The i20 is a pretty fuel-efficient car with an in-city figure of 11.2kpl and 16kpl on the highway.

Verdict
The i20 is certainly not a cheap car. At Rs. 6.51 lakh, on-road, Mumbai, the big Hyundai is squarely in C-segment territory. But then at this price, its user-friendly nature makes it a good companion for city use and the comprehensive array of equipment keeps one pampered. Safety is one area where it shines – it’s the first hatchback to get six airbags. Also it’s reasonably fuel-efficient. But despite impressing us in many areas, say AutoCar testers (Feb. ’09), the i20’s unexciting cabin and bland driving experience makes this a car that’s to be bought more with the head than the heart.