Hyundai i20 long term review, second report

As pleasant as sitting in mile-long traffic pile-ups is in this car, driving around on our poorly paved and pothole-dotted streets is also fairly convenient. The motor responds well enough to light taps on the throttle and the light steering makes even my over-one-hour commute from Parel to Juhu seem fairly effortless. When the roads open up though, you have to factor in the turbo lag; mashing your foot down on the accelerator doesn’t provide a burst of acceleration immediately and you have to wait for the 1.4-litre diesel motor to bubble up. The ’box works well though, and gears slot in precisely, if with a slight rubbery feel. The suspension handles the rough stuff pretty well, except for those gargantuan, moon-like craters and bumps that are hill-like in proportion. The steering is pretty accurate and it does go around corners without too much rolling, although it’d be a stretch to describe the i20 as sporty. The other factor that stands out in the i20 is the real estate on offer on the inside. The front seats are comfortable, wide and supportive, though some may not be too happy with how soft the cushioning is. In the back, there’s tonnes of room to stretch out and the rear AC vents are a blessing on those stuffy Mumbai days.

The longest stretch I managed to keep the Hyundai with me was over a weekend and it didn’t take long to realise why everyone at the office was always hankering for it. It’s convenient, frugal, comfortable and well-equipped.  Most importantly, it makes you feel special in a way no rival can, not in this segment or even a class higher.