Ever since its launch, the Hyun­dai i20 has been one of the most sought after hatchbacks. The i20 has established itself as a consistent performer in its class and is a threat to all its rivals. This latest facelift seeks to carry on that consistency. We are here to see if this facelift does the job. Read on to find out.

Exterior

As all facelifts tend to go, you won’t see a complete design change on the outside. However, you will notice minor tweaks that are made for the better. The refreshed hatch­back gets a new front grille and bumper. The headlamps are the same and still feature DRLs and pro­jector headlamps. At the back, the tail lamps sport a new LED pattern and the bumper is also redesigned. The license plate placement has also been moved further up to the boot lid. The profile of the hatchback remains unchanged but it does get the new five-spoke design pattern of the alloy wheels that are sleeker than in the outgoing model.

 

Interior

 

Just like the previous model, the interior of the i20 feels premium the moment you hear that strong thud while closing the door. Everything feels solidly put-together and the quality of bits and fit and finish is excellent. The dashboard design and color scheme is carried over from the predecessor, and the feature additions include a 17.7cm touch­screen infotainment system and revised air-con controls. Storage areas are nicely laid out across the cabin, with large bottle holders and charging points for mobile phones. The boot is adequate and you can increase it with foldable rear seats if you are carrying more luggage.

 

Performance

 

Powering the i20 is the same 1.2 liter petrol engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission that puts out 82 bhp and 115 Nm of torque. The engine is eager to drive and the response time is quicker, resulting in easy and smooth drives both in the city and in the highways. The rear suspension is a tad stiffer now and the car doesn’t tend to bounce as much over speed bumps. The ride is also marginally better at both low and high speeds. Handling-wise, the steering, too, has been recalibrated and has a bit more feel and weight. Overall, the i20 has improved on the driving experience compared to the outgoing model.

 

Verdict

 

The Hyundai Elite i20 is easily one of the best hatchbacks in the country today. It looks sleek and smart. The interior has always been class-leading and feature-rich and the performance is more than enough for all sorts of daily driving. Apart from that, there’s Hyundai’s amazing after sales service and the great value it retains during resale. Also, with a price of NRs 3,556,000, the Hyundai Elite i20 is affordable too, which makes this hatchback a great buy.