5 things women will love about the new Hyundai i20
Hyundai Automotive South Africa launched the refreshed i20 earlier this year, (May 2018) to refresh the line-up with a more modern design, as well as to include a sportier-looking 1.4 Active flagship derivative.
We’ve been spending some quality time with Hyundai’s new i20 and while it has a host of features to keep potential buyers excited, we’ve discovered 5 that we think our female readers will love the most.
Sophisticated appearance
Hyundai’s sales and operations director, Stanley Anderson, says that as one of the brand’s most important models, it was important for the automaker to update the i20’s design, inside and out, in order to continue to meet the expectations of its customers.
Also read: Car Review: 2018 Hyundai i20
We love that the i20 still looks as good as it did, with subtle modernised touches to its exterior that give it a more sophisticated appearance. Some of these include redesigned front bumpers with cascading grille on the Motion and Fluid derivatives. Updated bumpers at the back of the Motion, Fluid and Active models have also been included as well as rear combination lamps to give it a more dynamic look.
Inside, a new dash board and centre console feature in a neat layout. There’s also a host of new technological functions which we’ll mention later.
More comfort and space
The new i20 offers more room for your goods, with a boot capacity of 285 litres and 1001 litres with the rear seat backs folded down.
For a small car, it feels a lot roomier than you’d expect. Height adjustable seats, an adjustable steering wheel and adequate leg and headroom means that the i20 can accommodate anyone, no matter their size.
Functional interior
The infotainment system in the i20 is easy to operate, with practically designed buttons that aren’t complicated to use while driving. The seven-inch touch-screen display and infotainment system is standard across the range with Bluetooth, but the i20 also comes with a USB port and AUX cable port. As an option, customers can also get satellite navigation by purchasing an SD memory card for R2 500.
The rest of the i20’s interior functions are sensibly laid out, which we love, because there’s nothing worse than having to fiddle around with different buttons or levers to figure out what’s what. Easy peasy!
The Fluid and Active versions come with automatic climate control as standard while the glove box in all derivatives have glove box cooling.
City driving convenience
The i20 has always been a popular car for busy city commuters. Revised suspension and new tie rod design enhance the new i20’s steering feedback – it’s precise and responsive which is perfect for navigating your way around congested city roads and parking spots.
I’ve noticed that our city roads are becoming harder to zip in and out of, not just because they’re so jammed with traffic, but because our bad road surfaces mean that one can’t just quickly speed past a broken down truck, for example, without feeling the wrath of a large bump or badly cracked area of the road. A more stable and comfortable ride in the new i20 is managed thanks to improvements to its trailing arm geometry and read springs.
Crossover-like Active option
The i20’s new flagship derivative, the 1.4 Active model, now offers a more sporty option for those looking for something with a little more adventurous.
Ground clearance in the Active model has been raised to 17cm, which, coupled with its 16-inch wheels and ample tyre profile, makes this model look as though it has intensions to go off road with ease. We tested it on gravel during its launch and while it’s no 4×4, basic gravel roads are a no-fuss affair in the Active derivative.
The Active’s sporty visual appearance is complemented by a different grille and fog lights, with silver cladding on the matt-black front and back bumper. Roof rails make the fitment of activity gear like bicycle carriers or roof box for camping gear east on the Active.
If you’re in the market for a new hatch, the new i20 range offers a more contemporary and smarter (and sportier) line-up than before. We suspect that the i20’s success in popularity will continue in its new range, particularly among those looking for something affordable yet functional.
The refreshed Hyundai i20 is launched with a competitive price tag for all derivatives, which includes the 2-year/30 000 km service plan for 1,2-litre derivatives, a 3-year/60 000 service plan for 1,4-litre derivatives, as well as the standard 5-year/150 000 km manufacturer’s warranty which is extended with an additional 2 years or 50 000 km powertrain warranty across the range.
The prices are:
i20 1.2 Motion (manual) R229 900
i20 1.2 Fluid (manual) R241 900
i20 1.4 Motion (automatic) R254 900
i20 1.4 Fluid (automatic) R284 900
i20 1.4 Fluid (manual) R266 900
i20 1.4 Active (manual) R279 900
Service intervals are 15 000 km apart.