Hyundai i20 driven in South Africa 2015
What is it?
The Hyundai i20 is the brand’s core vehicle but also one in need of the biggest update with internal threats from the brilliant Grandi10 and an influx of other brands jostling for its place. When the first Hyundai i20 reached South Africa it was something of a benchmark and the latest one adds space and style in an attempt to return to the position as the best small car circling R200 000.
What’s it like?
Vastly different to the old one where quality is now the focus and not necessarily the price. Part of the plan with this Hyundai i20 was to swop the curves for something more contemporary. Hyundai refer to it, rather unimaginatively, as Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 but that implies the latest Hyundai i20 is twice as curvy. Not so, actually quite the opposite: Squarer and squatter. It bears a strong resemblance to the i30, particularly those wraparound rear lights. This is a simple, elegant design that will age well, is universal in its age appeal and perhaps most importantly, creates a much roomier cabin.
End to end the Hyundai i20 is 10mm shorter but that, and the lowering of the roof, are the only reduction in size. The car is 24mm wider and offers 15mm more shoulder room. Incremental improvements amount to better roadholding and more passenger comfort. Even legroom has improved. There is certainly a lot of car squeezed between the wheels – or alloys if you opt for the Fluid specification – and 294-litres of boot space is among the best.
There are new controls and materials, a new steering wheel and wonderful seats but the main infotainment screen is tucked into a small crevice in the dashboard and shies away from meaningful interaction. As part of the Fluid specification, the cabin environment offers a digital climate control, rear electric windows and rear park assist. The Motion specification is only available with the 1.2-litre but Bluetooth and comprehensive safety equipment is still standard in this model.
There are no changes to the 1.2-litre or 1.4-litre but there really needn’t be since these engines have always been among our favourtites. Smooth, high-revving and just about strong enough to carry the bigger body with a degree of finesse. In the latest Hyundai i20 you still choose between 61kW/115Nm or 74kW/133Nm and a six-speed manual gearbox or 4-speed auto. Consumption for both is falls on either side of 6.0l/100km.
The Hyundai i20 is accomplished and polished in all areas. It has stuck to its strengths but not ventured beyond them. Ride quality is more supple than before thanks to overhauled suspension, the interior is lavished with acoustic-deadening material, the controls can be learned within minutes and it is very composed across bad surfaces. However you come away feeling that there’s no real revelation, nothing you haven’t seen elsewhere, and handling that can be slightly numb. In fact that pretty much sums up the entire car.
Should I buy one?
There aren’t many reasons for not doing so since the new Hyundai i20 is a notable improvement in every discipline. Most will never demand more from their car but younger buyers might just be shopping for bigger screens, more connectivity, turbo engines…more technology. They might also shop down, into the clutches of the very capable Hyundai Grandi10.
The Hyundai i20 comes with a service plan:
1.2-litre: 2yr/30 000km
1.4-litre: 3yr/60 000km.
Pricing: Hyundai i20 South Africa
- 1.2 Motion Manual R184900
- i20 1.4 Fluid Manual R204900
- i20 1.4 Fluid Automatic R214900
