Hyundai i20 Review

Hyundai is the fastest growing automotive company in the world and the i20 light car, which arrived locally in July 2010, reflects the Korean marque’s transition from cheap and cheerful to accomplished and refined. The i20 was much like a scaled down i30. Interestingly, Hyundai Australia (HMCA) did not take the ageing Getz off the market. This meant two entrants in the light car segment. The Getz was finally dropped in August 2011 only to be replaced by the Accent. Sales are similar at around 1000 units each per month to give HMCA the highest total volume in the sector.

Exterior and Interior Design

The design is bold and integrated, especially in five-door guise and when painted in one of the brighter mica liveries such as Electric Green. And it is unmistakably Hyundai from the bold H-badge in the grille back to the large tail lights. It is easy to imagine this car as a fashion statement with lowered suspension and larger alloys. The interior is clean, modern and exhibits high quality materials.

Accommodation

The i20 impresses with its packaging. It is a big-feeling light car with generous room for four occupants or five at a pinch. Even with the rear seatbacks up, you can fit 295 litres of luggage into the boot. You sit comfortably with excellent all-round vision. Ergonomics are not without fault and the trip computer readout in the centre of the dash can be confusing with its different settings manipulated by a large button nearer the passenger than the driver. A quite reasonable sound system wired for the now expected AUX, USB and iPod connectivity should satisfy the target buyer. Even the entry level ($14,990) three-door Active manual model is quite well specified with electronic stability control, keyless entry and alarm, air-conditioning and a novel glovebox cooling system. Add $1K for two more doors and $2K for the four-speed automatic in lieu of a five-speed manual transmission. Active models have a 73.5 kW 1,4-litre engine. Next up is the five-door 91.1 kW 1.6-litre Elite which adds features such as 15-inch alloys, trip computer, leather-wrapped steering wheel, fog lamps and extra airbags. The Elite costs $18,490 for the manual or an extra $2000 for the automatic version. For $21,490 the manual Premium has stylish leather seats and a driver’s armrest bound in the same material. It scores 16-inch alloys and climate control.

Performance and Economy
Performance of both engines is good and even the 1.4 exhibits handy torque quite low in the rpm range. While the 1.6 has the expected edge, buyers of the 1.4, especially as a manual, are unlikely to feel shortchanged. Four ratios is one too few for a modern automatic transmission but the five-speed manual gearbox is a pleasure to use with light, precise shifts. The real story here though is fuel economy. HMCA hired ex-rally champion Ed Ordynski to see how far north he could drive a manual Active from Sydney on one tank of fuel (theoretically 45 litres but actually 53.3 with the long nozzle down to the under-floor tank, fuel lines, etc). Ed admitted that he had serious doubts about reaching Brisbane on the Pacific Highway during the school holidays. But after 200 kilometres with the fuel light glowing, the i20 got to Bundaberg before running out of fuel. Ed Ordynski cruised at 75-80 km/h and used just 4.23 litres for every 100 km, comparable with many larger, diesel-engined vehicles.

Ride and Handling
The i30steers nicely with just enough weight at the wheel rim. The handling is balanced with little evidence of understeer. Ride comfort is good, although occasionally there is some noise from the front suspension.

Conclusion
The i20 is among the best light cars in a highly competitive sector. It is the equal of all its Japanese rivals such as the Honda Jazz and Mazda2.