Hyundai SA has introduced its new third-generation i20 which is a complete shift from its previous model. We took the new 5-door hatch on test to find out just how much its has changed.
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Photo GridThe Hyundai i20 first debuted in SA in 2009 and since then over 100 000 units have been sold locally.The new 3rd gen, built in India, has set its sights on the top players in the local 5 door hatch market. With a striking new appearance , new tech and a new engine and transmission pairing, the latest i20 is set to take the fight to the top dogs.
Related: Hyundai i20 (2018) 1.4 Active - A Korean Lara Croft
Many have said that the previous model was drab and boring, somewhat akin to wallpaper paste, and it's sad to say that they were quite right. We took delivery of the new top spec Fluid 1.0T model for a week of testing that shows that the new generation is shift in the right direction.
The old i20 is completely gone with the new model taking on the design language of other vehicles in the Hyundai line up. Elements from the Kona, Creta and Tucson can be found on the new i20 such as sharper lines, aggressive looking lighting, large gloss black grille and matching splitter. The Fluid model we had on test was fitted with 16" alloys, gloss black side skirts, mirrors and two-tone paint job, making the roof black, a sporty gloss black rear diffuser and rear taillight element that crosses the tailgate.
All this makes a for a very sporty looking hatch that will appeal to a younger crowd.
The new i20 gets a firmer suspension that lends itself to a much more planted road feel. There is a bit of lag in the low rev range but picks up significantly once the turbo spools making the small 3 pot engine quite rev happy. You get quite a spirited drive when pushing this hatch and a tasty engine note to boot but bumper to bumper traffic becomes tiresome due to constant gear changes with the manual option.
Our test mule was equipped with the 1.0 turbo, 3 cylinder petrol engine mated to a 6 speed manual delivering 90kW / 172Nm, coupled with the aforementioned sporty suspension and driving dynamics, and you get a fun drive that begs to be pushed along.
The Fluid model on test was very well-equipped with faux leather seats, leather-bound steering and gear knob steering wheel controls with integrated cruise control.
The dash is a very stylish affair with the 8-inch infotainment featuring Apple Car Play / Android Auto, as well as the rearview camera, On the drivers side you get a digital cluster and impressive soft touch surfaces mixed in with some mid spec plastics. The centre console features the requisite 12v out and USB ins as well as a wireless charging pad and auto air-con.
There is more legroom in the rear thanks to the vehicle being longer and wider than before, rear passengers also get air-vents and a USB charging point. One complaint we did have, was the inability to drop the driver's seat lower, leading to a higher seating position and the inability to get a comfortable driving position.
The rear seats are also not 60/40 split, but you do get 311l of boot space for all those shopping bags.
Like many of its Hyundai stablemates, the i20 is a very safe offering. The interior is packed with safety equipment and then some making this one of the best in the segment. You get 6 airbags, ABS, EBD, but TSC and Hill Hold Assist are surprisingly absent.
Hyundai claims 6.5 per 100km, we averaged 7.2l on the combined cycle, but that climbed up to 11.4 when we pushed the engine hard.
Price
Hyundai i20 1.0T TGDI Fluid MT (Two Tone) - R 335 900
Hyundai offers its 7 year / 200 000km warranty (5 year/150 000 + 2 year/50 000) and a 4 year/60 000km service plan with all i20s sold
* Pricing correct at time of publication
The new i20 returns a sporty drive with all the mod cons you would need in this segment. We do recommend spending a little extra to get the 7 speed DCT derivative that will make this the best option when considering a vehicle from this batch. The competitors such as VW Polo, Opel Corsa and Kia Rio are already well established in this arena but if you want to be different and get a cracking motor for the money the Hyundai i20 is the best place to start.
Lawrence MinnieLawrence has been involved with motorsports for almost 30 years. Whether it's two wheels or four, if it has an engine, he will try to race it. This love of motor vehicles has led him to ride, drive, film, photograph, and write about his passion. Freelance for a while but now a permanent fixture on the AutoTrader team for over 7 years, Lawrence contributes written, photographic, and video content for AutoTrader and AutoTrader Bikes.View News & Reviews
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