Hyundai i20…Spit and polish for popular Korean

Interior of i20 Active is enhanced by flashes of colour

IT’S not that long ago that Hyundai was dismissed as just another hopeful interloper from the Far East but how things have changed thanks to the near-relentless upgrading and expansion of a model range that introduced the daring concept of the long warranty and a design ethos that owes much to Europe and to Germany in particular. 

For sure, Hyundai does not allow designs to stagnate so there’s always something fresh for the buying public to consider. The i20 Hatch is a case in point. It was only just over three years ago that a more grown-up i20 was presented for review and now comes a tweaked range and a new derivative presented under brooding skies in the Western Cape winelands.

My bones tell me that the latest Grand i10 may have been encroaching on i20 territory and cannibalising sales but that may just be far-fetched theory. Whatever, Hyundai has taken steps to open up the gap between the two with a facelifted range and I cite the introduction of the flagship 1.4 Active in particular as evidence of further distancing this model range from its smaller siblings.

This Active model is joined by 1.2 Motion and Fluid models with 5-speed gearbox, by 1.4 Motion and Fluid models with 4-speed auto and by a 1.4 Fluid with 6-speed manual box. Changes to the bumper profile and the introduction of a cascading grille mark-out the Motion and Fluid derivatives while all three models acquire a re-worked rear bumper, tailgate and lamps which impart a more muscular look.

Fluid and Active models also gain slick new 16-inch alloys while the latter is further distinguished by a different grille and fog lights and matt-black bumpers which are are clad with silver inlays resembling skid plates.  Practical roof rails complete the outdoorsy picture along with a raised ground clearance that Hyundai is adamant is indicative of very effective dirt road performance.

Inside, occupants are greeted by a revamped dashboard while the Active model confirms its enhanced status with a choice of red or blue trim inserts and seat inlays. All models are equipped with an infotainment system with USB/AUX and a new 7-inch display incorporating Bluetooth connectivity and an on-board computer. For an extra outlay, sat nav capability can be activated courtesy of an SD card which slots in beneath the display screen.

Raised clearance, fancy alloys and a new nose are most obvious features of i20 Active

I encourage you to visit www.hyundai.co.za to get a full run-down on the generous equipment levels on all models, but for now let’s see how the new formula gels.

If you’ve been paying attention, you will have noted that 1.2 and 1.4 litre engines are offered within a range sporting six rather dandy colours. We started out in a Polar White 1.4 Active with blue interior highlights that for me really lifted the cabin ambience. Hyundai has also been doing a good job with surface finishing that creates an impression of slush-moulding – but which is actually hard to the touch – and with incorporating “chrome” finishing detail on and around switchgear.

Collectively, all these detail touches contrive to create a feel-good factor which is further enhanced by continuous improvements in interior refinement levels. That 1.4 motor provides 74kW/133Nm peak outputs which collectively ensure the compact hatch gets along with a measure of alacrity, albeit that the engine needs to rotate a lot faster on the cruise than would be the case with an even smaller turbo-assisted motor. This in itself is no hardship as the 6-speed box is a peach, providing rapid, knife-through-butter shifts. Top speed is listed at 182km/h.

Virtually all travel was conducted on reasonably smooth tar roads so it’s hard to assess the all-weather ride but in these circumstances, the suspension offers a well-judged compromise between comfort and control and the steering, perhaps a tad rubbery at low speeds, works just fine at higher speeds as do the all-disc brakes.

The return journey in a 1.2 Fluid provided a less colourful interior but much the same solid feel as the Active. Regaining momentum when baulked was more of an event than with the 1.4 and getting to the top of long uphill stretches on a memorable mountain pass required perhaps one extra downshift, but giving due allowance for the small displacement, the 1.2 – with 61kW/115Nm -delivered without too much fuss and with acceptably controlled sound levels. If you try hard enough, you should reach 165km/h on the level which isn’t too bad for a 1.2.

All in, the refreshed i20 has assuredly enhanced the already-present bigger-car-feel of this model and delivered more solid looks. It is though, the 1.4 Active that stands out for its additional design touches that add a bit of flair to what is a neat but conservatively-wrought model range.

(Please note that all comment concerning model range and specifications refers to SA market models.  The Hyundai i20 is imported into Zimbabwe by ADI who should be contacted for specific details of models distributed in this country)