The Hyundai i20 is a small hatchback designed to replace the Hyundai Getz. However, the Getz will remain on the Australian market until production ceases in mid-2011.

Styling is a big feature with Hyundai as the South Korean company makes a major push on world markets. The front of the Hyundai i20 has the wide-mouth air intake, as well as the swooping headlights that are a feature of all Hyundai’s ‘i’ series cars. The bonnet boasts a raised central ridge with this contoured theme extending to the strongly sculpted doors. There are strong style lines down the side of the car and these tie in neatly with the tail treatment that uses lights to continue the side style.

Overall the Hyundai i20 is quite an eye-catching little car and several people who viewed it during our week’s review commented on the appearance.
 
The metal look centre console is an interesting retro touch and is well-designed and uncluttered. The controls are large and are logically positioned for minimal driver distraction. The higher-specced models have a trip computer display that’s positioned above the centre console allowing it to be read by both driver and passengers.

Hyundai i20 has seating for four adults although taller rear seat occupants may find headroom a little restricted. Rear legroom is quite acceptable for a car in this class, with front seats that are comfortable and supportive and rear seats that are about average for a car of this size and price.

The boot is generally the first area to suffer in the passenger/luggage compromise in small cars. That in the Hyundai i20 can take 295 litres and the shape makes it quite usable. The 60/40 split rear seatbacks can be folded to increase luggage room.

All models in the Hyundai i20 range come with a glovebox cooling system that can help keep some of the chill in your drinks if you put them in there while they are cold. A neat touch that gives this very affordable Korean car a feel of upmarket class.

Our review Hyundai i20 was the Elite five-door with the standard five-speed manual gearbox.

Like the others in the range ‘our’ Hyundai i20 Elite came with an audio system that includes MP3 and WMA capability with an auxiliary input jack and USB input and iPod connectivity and steering wheel mounted controls. The Hyundai i20 Premium has six speakers. All models come with Bluebooth compatability. Elite also has a trip computer, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, front foglights and 15-inch alloy wheels.

The entry level Hyundai i20 Active comes with a 1.4-litre petrol engine while the Elite and Premium have a 1.6-litre petrol. 1.4-litre powerplant generates 73 kilowatts of power and 136 Newton metres of torque. The 1.6 peaks at 91 kW and 156 Nm.

Performance is good without actually being what you would call lively and the engine is a modern unit that responds quickly to throttle inputs. It’s reasonably quiet at cruising speeds but can be on the noisy side if worked hard. The i20 is hardly alone in this way in the small car class as it’s difficult and expensive to engineer noise and vibration dampening characteristics into vehicles of this size.

Fuel consumption with the manual gearbox will be in the seven to nine litres per hundred kilometres range around town and can drop into the sixes on the open road with a bit of attention to getting the best economy from it.

The five-speed manual is light and easy to use, which is just as well as there’s not a lot of engine torque on offer at times so if you have a load on board and/or are in hilly country you will need to use the gearbox fairly often.

Hyundai tells us the suspension has been tuned for Australia and there’s no doubt the i20 has a good feel on the road. There’s not a lot of body roll and the little car is willing to turn into bends neatly and holds its line even when the road is quite bumpy. Steering feedback isn’t too bad, although it is one thing we would like to see improved in the dynamics department.

Road noise is generally subdued, but Australia’s notorious coarse-chip surfaces do create a fair bit of tyre roar at times.

Active safety items fitted to all Hyundai i20 models include ABS brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist, stability and traction control.

On the passive safety side, all i20 models now come with six airbags and a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

As with all Hyundai vehicles, the new i20 comes with a five-year unlimited distance warranty. This is a particularly attractive feature and several buyers have told us the long warranty figured high in their decision to go for a car from this marque.

AT A GLANCE

MODEL RANGE
Active 1.4-litre petrol three-door: $15,490 (manual), $17,490 (automatic)
Active 1.4-litre petrol five-door: $16,490 (manual), $18,490 (automatic)
Elite 1.6-litre petrol five-door $18,490 (manual), $20,490 (automatic)
Premium 1.6-litre petrol five-door: $21,490 (manual), $23,490 (automatic)
Note that these prices do not include dealer or government charges. For a limited time the Active models are available at driveaway prices starting at $15,990. Contact your local Hyundai dealer for these and other driveaway prices.

FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard in all models
Automatic Transmission: $2000 option in all models
Cruise Control: Not offered
Dual Front Airbags: Standard in all models
Front Side Airbags: Standard in all models
Electronic Stability Program: Standard in all models
Rear Parking Sensors: Not offered
Reversing Camera: Not offered
USB/Auxiliary Audio Inputs: Standard in all models
Satellite Navigation: Not offered
Bluetooth: Standard in all models
Steering Wheel Mounted Controls: Not offered in Active, standard in Elite and Premium

SPECIFICATIONS (Hyundai i20 Active 1.4-litre five-door hatch)

ENGINE:
Capacity: 1.396 litres
Configuration: Four cylinders in line
Head Design: DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 10.5:1
Bore/Stroke: 77.0 mm x 75.0 mm
Maximum Power: 73 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque: 136 Nm @ 4200 rpm

DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: Front
Manual Transmission: Five-speed
Automatic Transmission: Four-speed
Final Drive Ratio: NA

DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 3940 mm
Wheelbase: 2525 mm
Width: 1710 mm
Height: 1490 mm
Turning Circle: 10.4 metres
Kerb Mass: 1117 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 45 litres
Towing Ability: 450 kg (1000 kg with braked trailer)

SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: MacPherson struts, coil springs
Rear Suspension: Coupled torsion beam axle
Front Brakes: Ventilated disc
Rear Brakes: Disc

FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Type: Petrol 91ROM
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/02): 6.0 L/100km

GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 7.5/10
Air Pollution Rating: 8.5/10

STANDARD WARRANTY:
Five years/unlimited km