Hyundai i20: what more could you want?

Hyundai i20: what more could you want?

Feel: Take a seat and drive off - nothing is easier than that in the new Hyundai i20. All the essential controls within easy reach, arranged in a tactile and visually appealing manner and marked with understandable symbols – what more could you want? The grained plastic paneling of the dashboard, the leather-upholstered steering wheel and the subtle metal applications convey a feeling of value; the seats, with their firm upholstery, are a real backrest.

Drive: To be honest, the performance of the 84 hp engine didn't convince me. Extremely leisurely when starting out, the unit sounds quite tortured at 4000 rpm when it reaches its maximum of 122 Newton meters. This is what happens when you provide a naturally aspirated engine with an electronic monitor that constantly monitors compliance with the strict emissions standards. The 100 hp turbo petrol engine in the i20 is certainly the better choice, and it is also significantly more fuel efficient. The excellent chassis, direct steering and smooth transmission of the little Korean can only really show off their strengths in combination with a more powerful engine.

Load: The trunk has a capacity of 326 to 1042 liters, which is typical for this class, and passengers find surprisingly generous space in the rear seats. The ample knee and headroom means that even longer tours don't become torture.

Conclusion: Except for the weak engine, the Hyundai i20 was completely convincing in the test. The lavish standard equipment even includes “luxury features” such as a heated leather steering wheel and a cooled glove compartment; the safety features include hill start assist, LED daytime running lights and tail lights, lane warning assistant and static cornering lights. In a word: a nice car for every day.