Hyundai i20 Review
Review Score: 7/10
Pros:
Driving feeling, design, easy-to-use interior controls, workmanship quality
Cons:
The quality of parts, the brightness of the headlights, the low equipment level of the sub-packages, and the lack of more up-to-date and powerful engines are noticed.
Hyundai’s supermini, the i20, is now three years old, and it is exclusively produced in Turkey. In our country, the i20 is available with 1.4-liter naturally aspirated petrol and 1.0-liter turbocharged petrol engines. Both engines provide 100 horsepower, but the turbocharged engine offers higher torque compared to the naturally aspirated one. Most i20 models sold are equipped with the naturally aspirated engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission.
When the Hyundai i20 was first introduced, it stood out as one of the better-equipped cars in its class. Its mid-range trim was comparable to the upper trims of many competitors. However, due to the fluctuating exchange rates and tax brackets, several rivals chose not to bring their higher trim levels to Turkey. Taking advantage of local production, Hyundai aimed to maintain stable prices despite currency fluctuations, leading to adjustments in the i20’s equipment levels over the years. As a result, there are variations in equipment packages among i20 models with the same name across model years.
Design
Hyundai i20 features a distinctive exterior design with its forward-sloping bumper design, grille design that varies with each trim level, and LED headlights that contribute to its sharp look. The car’s unique wheel designs further enhance its appearance, with each trim level featuring its own specific wheel design. The bold design lines on the doors add character to the i20.
The design of the rear of the vehicle is a love-it-or-hate-it affair. The lightning-shaped taillights might seem unusual during the day, but they draw attention with their appearance at night. Although the taillights extend to the trunk lid, creating a unified light strip, this strip is not illuminated. The black coloring from the rear window to the lights creates the perception of a much larger rear window when viewed from the outside. The diffuser located at the bottom of the rear bumper, while not necessarily functional, adds a touch of elegance.
Although the interior features hard materials, the design compensates for this shortcoming. Hyundai designers, drawing inspiration from steering wheels used in racing cars, have opted for a 4-spoke steering wheel and a large gear lever. The oyster shell pattern that unites the ventilation grilles adds texture to the interior, while the high-positioned touchscreen displays sharp graphics.
Ride and Comfort
Hyundai i20, with its sweet and firm springs, handles large bumps well, but on small bumps, the stiffness of the springs becomes more noticeable. Despite the stiffness of the springs, the shock absorbers provide excellent damping, ensuring that the car does not feel uncomfortable. While the Hyundai i20 is not the most comfortable car in its class, it provides an average level of comfort for its segment.
The high-speed stability of the i20 is quite sufficient for its class, and its insulation is at average levels within its class. Unless you venture onto the highway, the Korean model can be considered quiet, even at high speeds, without being overly disturbed by wind noise. However, I would have expected better headlights for night driving.
The driving feel is one of the best aspects of the i20. The car’s chassis interacts very naturally with the driver. The Hyundai i20 communicates very well with its driver, making it easy to push the already high driving limits of the car. While driving at 140 kilometers per hour on a curvy asphalt road, even with bumps on the road, the car maintains control, a testament to the i20’s successful road handling. Moreover, the ESP rarely intervenes, and when it does, it supports the dynamic character of the car in a helpful way.
The Hyundai i20 can be a fun car when you want it to be. With its light structure, sufficient engine, responsive chassis, suspension system that supports it, and steering with decent feedback, you can enjoy pleasant drives on mountain roads. After spending some time with the car, it becomes easy to disrupt and then regain its road handling at the same speed, and even when pushed to its limits, the i20 does not create a situation that causes anxiety. Of course, to have fun with the naturally aspirated and low-powered engine, you need to rev it up, but the sound produced by the 1.4 MPI engine at high revs only adds to the excitement. The 6-speed automatic transmission shifts gears in a stable and decent manner. If needed, the Hyundai i20 comes equipped with a mechanical handbrake.
Equipment and Practicality
The i20, equipped with features such as lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, emergency braking, and hill-start assist, is actually a quite sufficient car when considering its class and intended use. It provides comfortable city driving, easy parking, and, thanks to its features, a more comfortable journey on long trips.
As you move up to higher trim levels, the i20 gains more comfortable features such as an armrest, ambient lighting, BOSE sound system, keyless entry and start. The interior space of the i20 is within class averages, offering average trunk capacity and legroom. While the rear seat may not comfortably accommodate 3 people for long distances, it can be manageable for short trips, and, like other competitors in its class, it’s best considered as a 4-person vehicle.
The i20’s seats can be quickly adjusted thanks to the spring mechanism. The 352-liter trunk is suitable for the belongings of a 2-person trip, but for a long journey with 3 people, you may need to fold down the rear seats.
Inside, the physical buttons allow you to control the i20’s climate and multimedia systems naturally and without distracting your attention. Hyundai deserves commendation for maintaining usability while transitioning to digital interfaces. Unlike many other brands that bury functions like volume control and climate adjustments in touchscreens, which could jeopardize driving safety, models with physical buttons enable quick adjustments to climate temperature or volume without diverting your attention.