Whatshot
Radical Hyundai i20 Transformation
Radical Hyundai i20 Transformation
Date: 2015-02-20
There's a lot to look forward to this year within the automotive industry. We've kicked off the year with surprising low fuel price's whilst anticipating some of the most exciting product launches South African manufacturers have to offer.
This week we're looking at Hyundai's refurbished i20, after following up Hyundai's media launch in Umhlanga it's safe to say I have good news for you. For those of you in the B-segment market, we can all sympathize with just how competitive these vehicles are, which only leads to a more difficult buying decision. Hyundai have made things a little easier by offering an attractive, segment leading vehicle. I test-drove the new i20 1.4l Fluid which has a 6-speed manual transmission.
My first impressions were just how radically the visual aesthetics have been transmuted into a fresher look with sharper lines, really portraying the premium product that I believe it is. The interior has also received an overhaul with a pronounced minimalistic finish, which is really neat.
The new i20 receives a longer wheelbase, which results in numerous benefits including a more spacious cabin and noticeable competency with regards to handling. I found the i20 a pleasure to drive and it definitely retains the standard of drivability that it portrays aesthetically. Unless you're specifically looking for the automatic, I would advise choosing the 5-speed 1.2 motion or 6-speed 1.4 Fluid as I found them smoother to drive, especially for someone with a zestier driving style such as mine.
The i20 1.4 Fluid has most definitely put itself on a pedestal within this segment and it's definitely a car you have to test drive if you're in this market, mainly because it offers superior value for money with regards to specifications compared to all the other manufacturers, especially starting at just R204900.