Hyundai's bigger, bolder i20 certainly looks the part. We're in Jodhpur to tell you what it's like to drive.
In profile, the new i20 looks sharp, with the rising window line, bold shoulder line and that blackened C-pillar lending the car its distinctive look. An important point here is that only the top two trims of the i20 get 16-inch alloy wheels. How successfully the 14-inch steel wheels on lower-spec cars manage to fill the large wheel arches remains to be seen. Still, there’s no arguing that the tail looks attractive. The spread-out tail-lights look rather nice, and even small details such as the lip atop the windscreen is well executed. Frequent travellers will be happy to know the i20’s boot is spacious enough to hold more than a weekend’s luggage with ease. The only problem is the boot sill is quite high, so loading and unloading can be an issue.
As for the cabin, there’s really little to complain about. Overall quality is impressive (though still a notch down on the VW Polo), detailing is impressive (the column stalks feel very rich) and the layered dashboard looks suitably upmarket. If there’s a negative it’s that the screen for the audio system is a tad too small. Some might also find the knobs for the music system small and fiddly, but drivers do get their own set of controls on the well-finished, three-spoke steering wheel. Drivers will also like the good visibility and ability to adjust the steering for rake and reach. The supportive seats and general feeling of space enhance the front seat experience further.
Access to the rear seat is nice thanks to the wide door aperture, and once inside you’ll be quite amazed by the space on offer. Legroom and headroom are particularly good and there is sufficient width to seat three. The rear seat also scores well for good back and leg support. However, the backrest is a bit too reclined and the bolstering on its outer edges hurts comfort when seated three abreast. Shorter occupants may also find the windows a little too high for their liking. If there’s a consolation, rear seat occupants do get a dedicated air-con vent in all but the base version of the i20.
And that brings us to features. The top-spec Asta trim we’ve featured comes with lots of equipment as standard. The list includes automatic headlamps, push button start, automatic climate control, an audio player with 1 GB of onboard music storage, Bluetooth telephone function and a reverse camera. Even the mid-spec Sportz trim comes well loaded, but frustratingly essentials such as a rear wash/wipe and a passenger-side airbag are only offered on the top-spec car.