Hyundai i20 Mild hybrid power and big-car luxuries for Hyundai’s bold new small hatchback
Third-generation small hatchback gets mild hybrid power and bigcar luxuries On sale September Price from £16,000 (est)
THE HYUNDAI i20 small hatchback has been reinvented. Much like the transformations that have changed the fortunes of Peugeot and Volvo in recent years, Hyundai has treated the i20 to much more than a simple nip and tuck for its third generation. Instead, the i20 has been to the gym, seen a plastic surgeon and nally visited a trendy fashion house for a new wardrobe. In short, it has gone funky.
First up, the new i20 is a mild hybrid, meaning the sole 99bhp 1.0-litre petrol engine on offer in the UK has a small electric motor that can help the car to coast when the engine isn’t needed, leading to fuel and CO2 emissions savings of up to 4%.
Despite having a wider and longer body than the outgoing car, the new i20 is up to 4% lighter.as well as giving the car sportier looks, those stretched dimensions mean there’s now more space in the boot – more than you’ll nd in rivals such as the Volkswagen Polo and Ford Fiesta, in fact.
Inside, the new i20’s ultra-modern look continues with two digital displays, measuring up to 10.25in each.the rst takes the place of traditional analogue instrument dials, while the second is given over to infotainment.the new system offers wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, while elsewhere there are features you’d normally expect to nd in more expensive models, including wireless charging, LED ambient lighting, a Bose sound system and an additional USB port for rear passengers to charge devices.
The car’s suite of safety equipment has been upgraded, too; it now includes automatic emergency braking that can detect pedestrians and cyclists, plus a blindspot monitoring system.
Prices are expected to start at around £16,000, making the i20 more expensive than the equivalent Polo and Fiesta. However, the i20 is expected to come with higher levels of standard kit.