re: 1st-gen Hyundai i20 (2008 - 2014) : Review We took delivery of our i20 Asta 1.2 petrol on Monday. We didn't drive around much on Monday, straight to the temple for prayers and blessings, and headed home as the number plate wasn't ready. Yesterday I got the number plate fixed and got to know the car while driving in the city, the environment in which the car will spend most of its time.
Here are some of the points I noted: Pros
- Engine NVH. The 1.2 Kappa with VTVT is a very refined unit and it has a nice feel to it from idle through the mid-range. We're avoiding high revs during the run-in period.
- Design, build and fit-and-finish. The i20 was always a good looking car, the facelift enhances it further and gives it a European look at the front. Build and paint quality are good, and the interiors (a Hyundai strength in recent times) are very well made.
- Features. Though I would have preferred Hyundai giving six airbags as standard on the Asta, it is otherwise quite well loaded with many useful features such as DRLs, Bluetooth connectivity, keyless entry & start-stop, electrically foldable mirrors, reverse camera & sensors, climate control, driver armrest, rain and dusk sensors etc., making it value-for-money.
- Comfortable and spacious front seats. Adjustable neck restraints (headrests), dead pedal, tilt-and-telescopic steering, driver's seat height adjustment and armrest make it easy to find a comfortable driving position for most people.
- Boot space. It is good for a sub-4m hatchback and the 60:40 split folding offers flexibility when needed.
- Gearbox and clutch. The gears slot in with a precise and positive feel without much effort, while the clutch is light enough and easy to use.
- Driver's seat belt reminder, both visual and loud continuous beeping. I always belt up as soon as I sit in a car (on any seat) so this doesn't matter that much to me. I really welcome this feature because the persistent loud beeps will ensure that my dad is belted up while driving (he forgets to wear the belt sometimes). Okays
- Engine performance. While the same 1.2 Kappa VTVT makes the i10 and the Grand i10 (and presumably the upcoming Xcent too) very quick with super sharp, eager throttle responses and great pep throughout the rev range, the engine merely feels above average in the heavier i20. I'm not complaining about this one as the performance on tap is good enough for most purposes and part throttle responses & drivability are quite good too. But the i20 diesel with the 6-speed gearbox is in a different league when it comes to flat-out performance (after the lag, when the turbo is on song).
- Front visibility from the driver's seat. While the rear camera & sensors aid rear visibility and the ORVMs are adequate, frontal visibility is not the best. This maybe because I'm used to tallboy hatchbacks and find the lower seating position new. It may take some getting used to. No complaints about the lights though. I haven't driven on highways yet, but the headlamp's low beam spread and intensity is very good compared to the barely adequate one on the i10, while the tail lights, stop lamps & HMSL, indicators, fog lamps and LED DRLs all aid in improving visibility.
- Rear seats. These are not as good as I expected, though they may be better than some direct competitors. The width is good and the two height adjustable neck restraints are very welcome, but the headroom is only adequate. If tall people are seated up front setting the seats to a comfortable position, the rear passengers' available space gets reduced. I would have also preferred an ELR seatbelt and height-adjustable neck restraint for the centre passenger, as on the export models. Cons
- Steering. I'm amongst the minority on Team-BHP who prefers an EPS over a hydraulic unit for its lightness and ease of use in tight parking spots (like the contortions we have to do to get the car into our parking space). Still, I find the steering to be lacking in feel (even for a light EPS) and almost game console like. Surprisingly, I find the steering on the lighter i10 (with skinny stock tyres) to offer better feel and directness.
- Turning circle radius of 5.2m is bigger than those of most competitors. This may pose a problem on tight U-turns and navigating through small, congested lanes. The very light steering and foldable mirrors only alleviate this partly. On the topic of steering, I find the steering wheel's rim thin to hold but a cover should sort this out.
- Ground clearance. On paper it is 165mm which is the same as those on the i10 and Indica, and I've not had a problem on those cars navigating even large speed breakers. However, the wheelbase and track of the i20 are longer and wider. With a soft-ish suspension, one may have to take care while crossing large, unscientifically laid speed breakers with a full load. I wish the GC was increased to 175mm to prevent underbody scrapes.
- Single reverse lamp on the left side. The right side unit houses the rear fog lamp in place of the reverse lamp. I would have preferred two reverse lamps for better visibility to others while reversing and a single, centrally mounted rear fog lamp. Unknowns
- A/C performance. Chennai's very brief, cool winter is just ending and the A/C performance is good enough now. The real test will come during the unbearably hot and humid time in summer. Keeping my fingers crossed about this as there were complaints about the i20's cooling from members earlier (sun-films are also banned now). The air vents are not great for aiming air at one's face, due to their weird shape.
- Fuel efficiency. This can be calculated after more usage in different conditions to arrive at a number. I'm not expecting anything great in the city with the A/C on, but as long as it is not uncomfortably low, it should be okay. I hope the highway efficiency is good enough.
I'll put up a detailed review with pictures later, after getting to know everything about the car.
The initial impressions are positive overall, and Hyundai have made a good effort in designing and building a quality, user friendly product with characteristics and features that Indians want and prefer. The car is also value-for-money if one considers the nice feeling it provides with its interiors, fit-and-finish and list of features.
The next generation i20 should be on sale in India next year after it's unveiling at the Paris Motor Show later this year. Hyundai have an opportunity to further build on the car's strengths and sort out its weaknesses (such as driving dynamics, steering feel etc.) with the next generation product. I have a feeling that the next generation i20 would be as much of an improvement over this one, as the Grand i10 is over the i10. This South Korean manufacturer is definitely on the right path as an automobile company. I wish them good luck in their future efforts. |