Fresh new Hyundai i20 hits the road in South Africa

Hyundai’s new i20 has hit the road in South Africa with a refreshed, stylish design that is part of a well-rounded motoring package in the segment for hatchback cars, where it occupies a sizeable 10% share of this competitive part of the local car market. 

The new i20 announces itself in three specification and trim levels and a mix of three engines and three transmissions that gives customers a range of options – from the entry-level Premium variants to the Executive versions, followed by the flagship, sporty N Line with its turbo-charged mill.

“The Hyundai i20 has been a solid competitor over the years in the hatchback market segment. It is a car for many tastes and budgets and offers a comprehensive motoring package, even at its basic trim level,” says Stanley Anderson, sales and operations director of Hyundai Automotive South Africa.

“We know that it is also a popular vehicle for fleet buyers, who will be attracted by the excellent fuel efficiency of the 1,2- and 1,4-litre petrol engines in the Premium and Executive variants, while the sporty character of the i20 N Line derivative with its powerful turbo-engine occupies a special place in the range.

“Moreover, it is a reliable, solid car with outstanding build quality – a warranty burn rate of only R10,52 per unit per month bears testimony of that,” says Anderson.

At entry level, the i20 Premium is equipped with either a 1,2-litre or a 1,4 litre 4-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine. The 1.2 Premium delivers power to the front wheels through a 5-speed manual gearbox, while the 1.4 Premium uses a 6-speed automatic transmission.

One step up in terms of specification level and features, the Executive variants also come with the 1,2-litre engine and 5-speed manual gearbox combination, which delivers fuel consumption as low as 5,9 litres/100 km, or the 1,4-litre engine linked to the 6-speed automatic transmission, where overall fuel consumption of 6,9 litres/100 km has been recorded.

At the top of the range is the i20 N Line with its turbocharged 1-litre petrol engine and a 7-speed Dual Clutch transmission, also driving the car through the front wheels.

Exterior

The refreshed design of the new i20 includes a new shape and pattern of the front bumper and glossy black radiator grille, which have been enhanced to create an elegant look with sporty elements.

At the rear, a redesigned bumper and a unique taillight design completes the picture, while a side view shows the new-look 16-inch alloy wheels for the Executive and N Line derivatives. The Premium variants are equally elegant with their 15-inch steel wheels, cladded with carbon-black wheel covers. A dynamic light signature that emphasises its overall bold look, is provided by the front lights – with halogen lamps for the Premium and Executive, and LEDs for the N Line.  

Even with its compact B-segment dimensions of 3 995 mm (length) by 1 775 mm (width), the new i20 offers customers plenty of interior room, as well as 311 litres of boot space.

The i20 Premium is available in 5 exterior colours – Titan Grey Metallic, Fiery Red, Atlas White, Typhoon Silver Metallic, and Moonlight Blue Pearl – while the Executive variants come in either Fiery Red or Atlas White, both with a black roof.  Atlas White and a beautiful deep Thunder Blue, also combined with a black roof, are reserved for the flagship N Line derivative.

Interior

The spacious interior of the i20 is further enhanced by clean, neat ergonomic design, with standard convenience features that deliver excellent value for money.

A mixture of cloth and acritical leather seat covering is used for the Premium and Executive versions, while the N Line comes with exclusive artificial leather seat covers. All derivatives have a manual tilt and telescopic steering column, and seat height adjustment for the driver.

A manual air conditioner for the Premium and Executive variants, while the N Line is equipped with an automatic climate control. Rear passengers in all the derivatives benefit from an adjustable air outlet in the console between the front seats. The Executive and N Line versions have a cooling function for the glove box.

 All trim versions use the same 3,5-inch Supervision digital instrument cluster with TFT multi-information display for the driver, and all derivatives are equipped with an infotainment system featuring an 8-inch touchscreen that also doubles as a display the rear park assist and rear-view monitor. The infotainment system links wirelessly to Android Auto or Apple CarPlay applications.

A wireless cell phone charger is added to the list of convenience features of the Executive and N Line variants. Two cable charging points – USB and USB-C – are also provided, with a standard 12V power socket positioned between them.

The steering wheel in the i20 Premium and Executive contains remote control buttons for the infotainment system’s volume, for Bluetooth-linked telephone calls, and different mode settings. The different trip computer and car settings displays can also be controlled and adjusted with remote buttons on the steering wheel.

A middle console between the seats provides storage space, and an arm rest when the cover is closed. The arm rest is adjustable in the N Line version.

Special, sporty package for i20 N Line

Featuring refreshed design elements both internally and externally, the i20 N Line aims to enhance the driving experience with its sleek and modern appearance.

The new i20 N Line model embodies the signature N-specific design elements crafted to elevate both the driving experience and visual appeal. These features include the iconic N Line logo adorning the radiator grille and tailgate. At the front, LED headlamps with signature LED Day Running Lights complete the dynamic picture.

The new i20 N Line enhancements include a newly designed set of 16-inch alloy wheels and an updated pattern for the front radiator grille. Additionally, N Line-specific design elements such as the bumper and inserts add a distinctive flair to the car’s appearance, further enhanced by projection-type fog lamps. At the rear, visible twin exhaust pipes and a sporty tailgate spoiler with side wings differentiates the N Line from the other variants.

In the cabin, drivers will notice the addition of multicolour ambient lights, creating a dynamic ambiance that complements the vehicle’s sporty character. Inside, the cabin exudes a motorsport-inspired ambiance with interior controls and accents in striking red and metal finishes. 

The i20 N Line also comes with a sunroof as standard equipment, and cruise control with buttons on the steering wheel. ESP (Electronic Stability Program) and HAC (Hill-start Assist Control) are also reserved for the i20 N Line only. A button switch is used to start the i20 N Line.

The exclusive three-spoke N Line steering wheel, complete with perforated leather and exclusive red stitching, enhances both the dynamic aesthetics and the driver’s grip. Complementing this is the specially designed gear knob, featuring luxurious leather inlays, bold red accents, and the prominent N logo, serving as a focal point in the cabin. The N Line’s DCT transmission can also be controlled manually with shift paddles on the steering wheel. 

Additionally, the non-slip aluminium-look sports pedals and contrast stitching throughout the interior subtly accentuate the high-performance design ethos of the N Line, while the sporty seats with ample neck support and side cushions deliver both control and comfort during driving.

The Bose Premium Sound System in the i20 N Line is a collaboration between Hyundai and Bose engineers and features eight high performance speakers including a subwoofer. The system is equipped with dynamic speed compensation technology, which monitors vehicle speed and automatically adjusts music levels, ensuring a more consistent listening experience and reducing the need for drivers to make manual adjustments while on the road.

Engines and transmissions

Hyundai’s 4-cylinder 1,2-litre and 1,4-litre petrol engines are the powerplants of choice for the i20 Premium and Executive versions. 

The i20 1.2 Premium comes with the smaller 1,2-litre Kappa engine that delivers 61 kW maximum power and 114,7 Nm peak torque. It is linked to a 5-speed manual gearbox and push the i20 to a top speed of 169 km/h. The same engine-gearbox combination, which produces fuel economy of 5,9 litres per 100 km, is used in the i20 1.2 Executive version with its higher trim level.

Next up is the 1,4-litre Kappa engine with 73,3 kW maximum power output and 133,4 Nm peak torque, linked in the i20 1.4 Executive to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Its combined cycle fuel consumption figure is 6,9 litres/100 km.

The most powerful engine in the i20 range, a turbocharged 3-cylinder petrol mill, has been reserved for the i20 N Line. It delivers up to 89,5 kW at 6 000 r/min. and 171,6 Nm maximum torque between 1 500 and 4 000 engine revolutions per minute.

When the horses are kept on a short rein, overall fuel consumption of 6,9 litres/100 km is achievable. However, the sporty character of the i20 N Line comes to the fore when the reins are loosened, and the driver plays with the 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission paddle shifts on the steering column.

Firmer suspension settings help to give the N Line outstanding roadholding and a sure-footed grip in corners. The i20 rides on a McPherson strut suspension with gas-filled shock dampers in front, and a coupled torsion beam axle with coil springs and gas-filled shock dampers at the rear.

Safety

Apart from seat belts, all new i20 variants have upper and lower ISOFIX attachment points for child seats. The Premium and Executive versions come with airbag protection in case of a crash for the driver and front passenger, while the i20 N Line version also features side impact airbags for the front occupants, as well as curtain airbags that extend to the rear of the car.

The i20 uses disc brakes at the front and drum brakes at the rear, and all variants are equipped with an Advanced Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD). All versions come with a full-size spare wheel. 

An Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system forms part of the i20 N Line’s active safety features.

Pricing

The prices of the new i20 derivatives with its respective standard specification packages are:

All i20s are sold with an industry-leading 7-years/200 000 km manufacturer’s warranty, a 4-years/60 000 km service plan, and 7 years/150 000 km roadside assistance. The service interval is 15 000 km, or annual.