Hyundai for a foreign car maker has surely done well in India. Even the new range of products from the ‘i’ series has hit the bull’s eye. The i10 has carried off from where the Santro left and the i20 does the same with the Getz. Hyundai is yet to prove its worth in the diesel department although the same cannot be said about the sedans which have sold appreciably. The Getz CRDi, was not only overpriced but also looked pre historic. Hyundai i20 now comes with a 1.4-litre CRDi engine and is a good choice for customers looking for a high class premium car. There is also the option of a 1.4-litre petrol with an automatic transmission. Design and fuel efficiency of this stylish hatchback have been praised by auto journalists and auto enthusiasts.
The base variant of the petrol comes with a 1.2-litre engine which is quiet peppy and flexible for a small engine. The robust 98bhp 1.4 engine is simply powerful but serves no purpose. The diesel comes in options of 74bhp 1.4 or a livelier 89bhp version. The 74bhp diesel takes some time to get off the blocks.
The i20 steering for a city car is a bit heavy which could be lighter. On the positive it still is easy to drive in town thanks to the responsive engines. It does pick up the pace once the engine is revved. There’s lots of grip, and the handling remains stable and predictable. The ride is comfortable, but there is some body lean in bends. Combine that with the inert steering and it’s not as much fun to drive as the class best.
In terms of the refinement the petrol engine does feel a bit hurried even while you are just cruising. So there is not much of a rattle to disturb you. The one thing you will hear is the wind noise rushing down the sides of the car. Overall the car is reasonably quiet all round.
The Hyundai i20 safety is surely worth a mention. The car has bagged Euro NCAP 5 star safety rating and scored an impressive six out of a maximum seven points in the “safety assist” category for its belt reminder and electronic stability programme. Other safety features include high-tensile steel chassis, airbags, active headrests, front seatbelt pretensioners and anti-lock brakes, and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution. This is the first compact car in the Indian car market that is equipped with eight airbags for improved safety of its driver and passengers.
The Hyundai i20 in India was initially perceived as an expensive hatchback and sold in low numbers due its premium brand image. However, in the long run it has done brisk business and the Indian consumer has surely rewarded the Hyundai i20 with good sales numbers in return for its quality. Hyundai i30 is also in the pipeline to carry on the success of the i10 and i20. In terms of the looks the Hyundai i30 also carries forward the legacy of the fluidic design philosophy. Hyundai is planning to launch i30 in upcoming days in Indian market.
