On the outside, it may be difficult to differentiate the i20 with the pre-facelift model. However, Hyundai has done some minor changes to refresh its design such as giving it new alloy wheels and new bumpers. The i20 still looks premium and handsome. The compact dimensions of the i20 make it easy to manoeuvre in stop-go traffic. It also gets a reverse camera which makes parking a breeze. The i20 is a very good car for day-to-day commuting.
On the inside, as with every Hyundai, the i20 is well loaded and adequately spacious. The boot is big enough to pack bags for a short drive while the infotainment system offers great sound quality. It comes with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity and is smooth to use. The AC chills the cabin effectively. The interior is also very practical offering you various places to store small items such as sunglasses in the holder. The seats are comfortable and the quality of materials used is also very good. The fit and finish have also improved. It is also well loaded in terms of safety equipment and the top variant comes with 6 airbags.
The 1.4-litre CRDI diesel engine is extremely refined and punchy making it appropriate for city driving. The motor does lose some punch in the top-end but is very smooth. It is also very fuel efficient as it returned us a mileage of over 16 km/l with full AC. It has minimal turbo lag and is apt for both city and highway duties. NVH levels are also well controlled and gear shifts are also quite smooth.
One of the main selling points of the i20 is it's easy to drive nature. The light steering and the light clutch make the i20 effortless to drive. The soft suspension gives it exceptional ride quality. While the steering wheel doesn't weigh up enough on the highway, inside the city, it is very much appreciated. The steering also doesn't offer adequate feedback, especially around the corners. Handling though due to the soft suspension isn't fabulous but the ride quality makes up for it. There is definitely some amount of body roll on offer.
The i20 is oriented more towards comfort and practicality than performance and dynamics. The light steering and compact dimensions mean that you don't have to worry about parking or lose your temper while driving in peak traffic. The i20 may surely be expensive, however, it offers sedan like features in hatchback form factor, something which can't be taken for granted these days. The feature-loaded interiors and outstanding ride quality allow you to enjoy your ride while the fuel-efficient engine does its job in the background. All this makes the Hyundai Elite i20 one of the best premium hatchbacks in the market today.
Source: MotorBeam.com