Face it. We are more open to making new choices when it comes to selecting a car that might look like KG lunch box or a small tote, as long as we can slid into it comfortably and it takes us to work place hassle free. And, automobile manufacturers have taken a note of it and coming up with smaller yet smarter and brighter cars that are friendly to the choked roads. Lets check out the buzz with the Hyundai i20 launch.
The new kid, i20, a 5-door hatchback from the Hyundai Motors debuted first during the Paris Motor Show last year. Quite similar to its foregoer i10, Hyundai i20 get its manufacturing done here in India and will then be exported to other places. However, i20 was designed in Europe and was also developed there. It comes with Hyundai’s 5-year warranty for mileage, and with this Hyundai believes that i20 will be able to meet the expectations of European market and will thrive the competition present within the mini car segment, especially in India that its positioned against the Swift and also the Fabia. But more than Fabia, Maruthi Swift will be the one that it’s going to compete in terms of market.
The i20 is longer, wider as well as lower than its predecessor Getz and rides on an expanded wheelbase of 2525mm. The interior architecture seems enhanced and much improvised over Getz and the looks are loveable, and it certainly appeals stronger than a Maruthi Swift, although, I felt it could have been designed to look even better. The cabin is silent and i20 has features of a premium luxury Sedan and will certainly appeal the upwardly mobile working class of India.
In India i20 is launched with 3 versions namely Hyundai i20 Asta, Hyundai i20 Asta (O), Hyundai i20 Magna. And the difference between i20 Asta and the i20 Asta(O) lies in that the latter comes with side as well as curtain airbags, and let me tell you, it will be the first of its kind in India for this segment of cars.
The engine is 1197cc Kappa petrol type delivering max power of about 79 Bhp and a torque of 110 Nm. In fact, Hyundai admits that it’s going to come with a CRDi version soon within the first half of 2009.
Wondering what a Kappa engine is? Well, the engine is trendy and engine is tweaked to release low emissions and give an envious fuel economy. Indeed the CO2 rating of i20 is about 124 g/km and this is less by about 15g relative to same-sized petrol engines. The car clocked 12.9 seconds for 0-60 speed. Differential gear ratios makes it excellent one for urban roads, although, I am not sure how it’d perform on the highways.
{ 53 comments… read them below or add one }
Nice review,clean language,no fancy graphics.
Keep up the good work.
Rgds
Deepak, Congrats! It is heartening to note that you have started a review of Cars. The i20 review is nice as the car, uncluttered. Would like to read a long term road test of this car soon, which includes highway performance and fuel efficiency figures.
Summary of upside is given, what about the downside?
Too good review… i like the honesty and simplicity. Keep it up…
Your site is now in my favorites list.
I’m planning to buy a new car very soon. Strucked up between Hyundai I10 Sportz and I20 Magna. After reading your review I feel like going to I20 but my budget can permit me to buy only base version Magna and I hate to buy base version of any car. Can somenoe suggest me which one to select?
They got same engine.
Good interiors.
Everything is like same but I20 looks bigger but I will need to pay that 1 LAC extra for it… really confused please help out,.
i am planning to buy a sedan base model..petrol, but the thing is im confused on between logan and indigo cs (in fact, dont know much about the after sales of tata (people feedbacks show it is full of tension), but what about logan? please help me out folks!
sajudan the indigo cs n logan are primarily diese lcars , for which the refinement levels in these cars,esp wid regard to their petrol versions will not be exciting enough. i suggest if bootspace is not a big issue for u, u can go for the i20,refined and fuel efficeint.on d contrary a good sedan, if can stretch ur budget a little u can gor for the linea(petrol) and even d swift dzire(lxi) model.both are fuel efficeint and worth d money..!
mr.naganath iyer,this is for ur query.
the i20 is about 150kgs heavier than the i10,so this car might feel a little underpowered for its engine size,but is really hardly noticeable..! the highway mileage is good but might feel a little slow off d blocks..apart from this there’s no real issue with this car.although if u want this car to be really powerful u can wait for the diesel version,its going to be more powerful ,having a 1.4l engine n good torque..
wow! nice much better than the i10 it prices about 6 lakh but again a kappa engiene ?
what is it worth then? just the looks and the nice interiors? better buy a i10 in much cheaper price.
i am planing to buy a new car..the problem i am facing is about comfort and space…and my margin price is 6 lakh…i like new i-20 and ford fusion…Can somenoe suggest me which should i prefer…
i have been booked hyundai i20 vechile magna with effect from febuary and not yet reached till the dated, so i would like to request your company to supply vechicle as per our booking order.and if your good office supply as per our request i would be gratefull. from bhutan
@Ashish Mutha
They got same engine.==>No same capacity, technology is diferent.
Good interiors. ==> Yes i20 is far better than i10.
Everything is like same but I20 looks bigger but I will need to pay that 1 LAC extra for it… really confused please help out,.==>Nothig is same.. i10 and i20 are entirly different. starting with handling, technology, comfort look and feel and the features.
~Chitta Ranjan
Hi,
We are going to buy our first ever car. Initially, I was confused between A star, i10 and swift (budget was around 5 lacs), but moved by aesthetic appeal of i 20 I stretched the budget to 6 lacs. Now, someone said even after paying 6 lacs you are not able to get a big car, so either go for swift dzire or stay with i 10.
i m really confused plz suggest me.
Anirudh
nice car
hyundai is the best car company in INDIA
Nice review…like to very much.
Only thing is Swift belongs to Maruti and not Maruthi.
Best of Luck!
The i20 is great but stay away from DSC Hyundai if you are in Chennai!
I made the mistake of buying my i20 from them in February 2009 and since then have experience nothing but trouble from them!
Now I have no problems with the car, but the service from the staff of DSC Hyundai is absolutely pathetic. Here are a few of the things that they screwed up with:
1) They promised me a buy back deal for my Maruti Zen at Rs. 1,10,000 but finally paid me 90,000/-
2) They promised to deliver the car in 3 weeks but finally took more than 5 weeks (Not so bad right! Weel read on…)
3) The sales person, Mr. Elango promised me seat covers, a car cover and tinted glass FREE and told me that it would be done in a month’s time. Whenever I called to remind him he told me that the car cover and seat covers had not arrived as it was a new model. After 5 months I dropped in without notice only to find the seat and car cover lying in their showroom. He promptly asked me to pay four thousand for the lot and swore he never promised anythign free!
4) When I did not receive the RC Book after 3 months I grew worried and visited them. They informed me that they had made a mistake with the name and had sent the RC Book for corrections.
5) After several calls and threats I finally received the RC book – 6 months after purchase – ONLY TO FIND THAT THEY HAD REGISTERED MY CAR AS AN i10… instead of an i20 !!!
6) Till today I have not received the RC book and am presently considering legal action.
7) I chose DSC hyundai for two reasons (a) The buy back deal (that later turned out to be fake) and (b) because they told me that their service centre was hardly 6 kms from my home. For the first service I got a call asking me to bring the car to a place that was 20 kms away!! When I asked Elango he once again denied his statement. I opted for the car pick up at an additional charge of Rs. 100 and waited and waited. They would call and promise to pick it up, but would not land up. When they finally did they returend the car – WITH SOME OF THE ITEMS STOLEN!
These guys are the worst thing that could happen to anyone. Stay clear of any of the DSC dealers. They over promise, under deliver and have no clue what customer care is all about!
I,m planning to buy a small car next year. May I ask when will the i20 introduced in the Philippines?Thanks
Arnel, the i20 will be introduced in Philippines by the end of this year.
Anirudh, the i20 is a shade about the cars you mentioned, get the i20 no second thoughts about it.
hey man..very nice review.
Could you also mention the mileage ??
How about going for the basic model ?
According to you which model is the best (value for money)?
Toby, the i20 gives around 12kmpl and the basic model is no frills model but still has good space. The most VFM model is Asta.
too costly..following that it is having a same engine Kappa 1.2 using in i10
The i20 looks too good.
The i20 looks good. I hope the company keeps up without compromising the quality like the one done by Maruti Udhyog Ltd.
I have placed order for i20 on 14/10/2009 through Bhutan Hyundai Motors and have been asked to wait for atleast 3 months. As per BHM, the production will be in December and delivery in January 2010. Questions
1.
It looks like a good car. But I wonder why there are no options given except the fixed options per every model. In the Magna model, almost everything is there ( AC, power steering, power window, music system, etc. Why is the USB slot not included in this model? It is a peanut amount for big priced cars and nowadays every car owner is using thumdrives for listening to music of their choice. Please reply me in the above given E-mail address since I have also placed order for one i20 car last month.
LB, dealer is taking you for a ride. Don’t fall for it. Tell him you want the car now or you want your money back and look at another dealer.
Cost cutting measures means no USB slot for the Magna. The Asta has it though.
I bought I20 Asta petrol 3 months back and i am very happy with this car.
I got delivery within 10 days. I20 is awesome.
contents are very clear,and easy to understand..
wow! nice much better than the i10 it prices about 6 lakh but again a kappa engiene ?
what is it worth then? just the looks and the nice interiors? better buy a i10 in much cheaper price.
The i20 looks too good.Good interiors.
I recently test drove the Maruti Ritz with my family and found it to be simply awesome.I really like the way the interiors has been styled. The dual tone dash board looks cool and quality is very impressive as well.
I have taken Maruti Ritz two month back the performance of the the vehicle is very nice. Space inside is very good and vehicle is very comfortable for the small family. I am getting mileage of 14 to 15 and have done only first servicing. Nice and power full vehicle…
It’s almost mid of 2010 and i-20 still not in the philippines soil. soy ouu have update when they will release it here? I am really excited about this car,,, nice one!
It’s a very nice car……
plan to buy i20 but am a little unsure of the power of asta 1.2 petrol in hilly area…. my average daily uphill drive is 10 km … but the incline is steep … anyone driving i20 in hilly terrain pl share ur experience
m planning to buy new i20 car next year, but i wonder what will be the prizes in one year. Besides, i also doubt of its clearance ands mileage too. plez any one driving the said car help me knw more of it. also let me kno ur opinion about the car and your good advice to my plan, especially i request bhutanese people to comment.
Hi
The car is fabulous in terms of style, interiors and looks quite big. The engine is peppy one and smart, superb pick up and drive ability is too good. engine is smooth and music system is awesome. Mileage after 700 kms found 2 b 14.2 kmph. Pretty decent average and might increase after first 2 services. I have asta model and i feel it really value for money.
hello friends i want to buy a new car hyundai i20 can u sagesst me.about this car fetures,maillage, onroad prise,etc
Thanks
I got a new I20 car from Mukesh Hyundai, Kolkata. But they their support and service not good at all. They receive payment cheq against some other company name, no sit cover, no car cover, no fog light nothing was provided which they proposed to provide. Stay away from this provider.
i20 is the best car in it’s segment, it’s mileage is 12kmpl in city and 14kmpl on highway.the best part is it’s interior,the music system is awesome with 6 speakers. on road price: magna 5,48,000 , sportz 5,90,000 & asta 6,40,000. ilove it and i’m sure all the i20 owners toooooooooooooooooooooooooo………
hi its m hitesh 4m shrirampur.ahemednagar..i hv jst reqstd 4i20 sportz its a rastest indian car uptil i knw n the bst service 4m jai malhar do buy i20 its my opinion to all of u….
Hi Guyz….im planning to buy i20 sportz dis diwali….i currently own Santro….my query is can i attach bass tube and 4 channel amp in factory fitted system in i20….in my santro i have
Pioneer 6050UB head unit
MegaVox 800w amp 4 channel
Jbl 1215 1100w basstube
Blaupunkt GT series oval speakers for rear
JVC front speakers
original pioneer tweeters
im addicted to loud nd heavy bass nd music…plzzz help me
one more thing…is thr anyway to remove the factory fitted system if bass tube and amp doecnt gel in
One more thing….does i20 music system has separate remote control like we get in sony or pioneers
I am looking to buy a new i20 Asta. Can someone help with a good dealer-who are reliable, in mumbai-near mulund-w, would like to exchange my existing zen Lx while i take the asta. ..look forward to your response.can someone appraise me on the extended warranty aspect, what if we do not go for it.
Thanks
Dr George.
I’m planning to buy a new car very soon. Stroked up between Hyundai I20 Sportz and Swift. What is the mileage? Can someone suggest me which one is worth?
contents are very clear,and easy to understand..
hey everyone hi! i have test driven swift zxi ,beat ltz and i20 asta and ritz zxi .I felt that the interiors of i20 are the best.But exteriors of beat are very good,its a cute and pretty car! I like the performance of all four and i have heard issues on i20′s underpowerness but never felt it.i have three choices.
1. Hyundai i20 sportz(Optional)
2. Chevrolet Beat ltz
3. Maruti Suzuki Swift vxi or zxi
4. Maruti Suzuki Ritz zxi
I am very very confused if someone can please advice me the best of the four.
i can spend around 6,20,000 and not a single penny more than that.
Please suggest me the best.
yes, i20 is the car of the year… its very good sport model car. i too planing to buy i20 very soon if my lord jesus wants….
Hi friends,
m confused between swift dzire vxi and i20 sportz.
which is better one to buy since i have heard that i20 sportz has some AC issues whereas swift dzire takes 2-3 mnths delivery time. please help……