Hyundai i20 Turbo DCT Automatic review

We drove the new i20 petrol- 1.2l engine car and the Turbo i20 and here's what we feel about the performance of the car.

New Delhi: We have discussed the new i20 from Hyundai a few days back in our first look review- including the prices and features, and now we will talk about the actual performance of the car. We drove the new i20 petrol in both forms including the 1.2l engine car and the much talked about Turbo i20 which has more power and extra price also! We drove the car in city traffic and on empty roads to see the changes Hyundai have done to the car. First, let us talk about the i20 Turbo.

ALSO READ: Benefits Of Using FASTAGs: All You Need To Know & How To Get One For Yourself It is the most powerful i20 that you can buy plus it is also the most powerful with the 1.0 turbo petrol developing 120 bhp and 172Nm. You can get the Turbo i20 with either an iMT gearbox (clutchless manual) or the 7-speed dual clutch automatic.

Before driving we had a quick glance at the car and outside on the road, the new i20 looks bigger than the previous model. It is much wider and longer than the previous i20 and also any current hatchback. In-fact the size matches up to compact SUVs. The grille is also big but well connected to the long headlamps along with the sharp lines which are at the side and flow throughout the car up-to-the tail-lamp. The new i20 looks younger and in this dual-tone of red/black with those alloys, the car certainly grabs attention. It is no longer subtle and those Z-shaped tail-lamps are also part of the new appeal. However, we would have liked no chrome at the back as the black/red match up well together. Else this is a really good looking hatchback.

 

I opened the slightly heavy door and the new i20 no doubt has the quality to back up the price it is asking. Now for a car which costs Rs 11 lakh plus as seen here, the new i20 needs to feel expensive and it does. Aside from a few hard plastics, the quality and general fit and finish is a new standard for hatchbacks and also betters some compact SUVs. The big 10.25-inch touchscreen and all-digital dials are the main talking points. The touch screen is easy to use and see, and it has all the usual features you would expect. I also liked the continuous running lines across the

dashboard which gives the car a wider look. Hyundai has made some changes to the i20 for India considering our usage but the one big advantage has to be the space. The new i20 is a wide car and that means inside you can fit three passengers- something even compact SUVs lack. The headroom and legroom are also very good not just for a hatch but in general.

In terms of features the i20 has pretty much everything plus some features you see in luxury cars. The basic features include climate control, rear ac vents, steering controls, height adjust driver seat, electric mirrors, push-button start, cooled glovebox, and more. However, the ones that stand out are the sunroof, the 7 speakers Bose Audio, air purifier, and wireless charging. We liked the audio system sound and it also gets sim-based connected technology where you use a variety of services via your phone or when driving you can talk to the car. You also have OTA map updates.

Finally about driving and the car has tilt and telescopic steering- which compact SUVs or some of its rivals do not get and we feel it is important. You also get a good view of the road ahead. The turbo starts off well too and you barely hear it. Out in the city, the engine is not harsh and neither does it make any three-cylinder sound. It is also smooth and easy to drive with the DCT automatic being more comfortable. Despite getting bigger the i20 is still a hatchback and that means traffic or parking is not an issue. The real fun comes when you get onto an empty road where the i20 Turbo feels quick no doubt. For a hatchback the 120 bhp and 172 Nm that the i20 Turbo makes is a lot and that means performance is really strong with a sub 10 second 0-100 km/h time. The car overall is really fast and you do not realize how soon you are doing big speeds. The automatic DCT means long-distance driving is also more comfortable. The i20 Turbo does not get paddle shifters like the Venue though.

Compared to the old i20 or some of its rivals, the new one feels more energetic and seems to have been made to be enjoyed from behind the wheel. The handling is better and so is the steering. It is not nervous at high speeds and the Turbo feels stable. That said the overall suspension is a bit on the firm side when going over potholes as we would have liked a more absorbing suspension. Officially the Turbo is said to give 20kmpl but in real-world expect 12kmpl. We also drove the standard 1.2l petrol as that it is expected to be the popular option and it is not a bad engine at all. While at 83 bhp, it does not have the power of the Turbo, it is sufficient for city use and occasional highway use. It easy to drive and use in the city. Its mileage is higher than the Turbo also in the real world.

 

The 1.2l i20 starts at Rs 6.7 lakh but the fully loaded 1.2l i20 manual is Rs 9.2 lakh. The Turbo i20 starts at Rs 8.7 lakh while the red car seen here is the top-end DCT auto version at Rs 11.17 lakh. Yes, the new i20 seems very expensive on paper especially the Turbo but then Hyundai has also given features and technology not found on hatchbacks. Compared with its rivals the new i20 has more space plus features and quality while being the only one to offer Turbo with the DCT. The 1.2l version though not exciting is good enough for city use but we like the Turbo the most and the DCT at that. Yes Turbo DCT seems pricey but the combination of looks plus features and performance along with space means it is a better deal than most compact SUVs which are more expensive. The new i20 creates a higher segment of hatchbacks with the turbo being the pick of the range.

What we like- performance, DCT gearbox, quality, looks, features, space

What we do not- Turbo DCT is a bit expensive, no turbo manual