Recently, Hyundai launched the new generation of the Hyundai i20 which now comes with a host of upgrades. The premium hatchback segment has been led by the Maruti Suzuki Baleno for a long time. Tata launched the Altroz a while back, but it has also not been able to dethrone the Baleno. However, the biggest competition of the Baleno has been the i20. Today, we share some thoughts of a Maruti Suzuki Baleno’s owner while driving the 2020 Hyundai i20.
The person is driving the top variant of the Hyundai i20 which is Asta(O). The test drive vehicle is equipped with a 1.2-litre naturally petrol engine that produces 83 PS of max power and 113 Nm of peak torque. It is paired to a 5-speed manual gearbox. He also states that the previous i20 weighs 100 kgs more than the new one. This has helped in increasing the claimed fuel efficiency from 19.8 kmpl to 21 kmpl.
Also read: All-new 2020 Hyundai i20 premium hatchback: India-spec version REVEALED (Video)
The person explains that the seating of the 2020 i20 is low due to which you feel that you sit in the car and towards the ground. Then he explains how the steering wheel gets in the way of seeing the Multi-information display. However, this might be just a small issue with people of his height and not everyone will feel the same way. Although, he also thinks that the digital instrument cluster feels a lot premium when compared to other premium hatchbacks. But, the person will require some time getting used to the tachometer being on the right side and the speedometer on the left. He also feels that the electric sunroof could have been bigger as it does not really help in letting more light in the cabin. Due to this, he thinks that the Asta variant offers more value for money you can save some money by not opting for the Asta(O) variant.
He also praises the Bose sound system which delivers heavy bass and superb clarity. He notices that the test drive vehicle that he is driving has a defect with the volume control button on the steering wheel as the button is moving around a lot. The seats of the hatchback are very comfortable and there is ample of legroom and headroom for the rear occupants. They also get their own set of AC vents and a USB charger to charge their mobile devices. The windshield offers a good view out and the overall visibility is very good.
Then he comes towards the driving dynamics where he points out that the steering of the 2020 i20 is very light, responsive and it weighs up nicely at high speeds. He feels that the brakes do a good job of stopping the vehicle and the ORVMs offer a good view of what is behind. Speaking of the engine, he notices that the engine is very refined, smooth and you won’t even notice if the engine is running on idle. The 2020 i20 does not feel underpowered like the previous generation’s petrol version did. The lightweight construction could be one of the reasons behind this. The clutch action is light and the gearbox is slick
Then, at last, he shares his verdict by saying that the i20 is much more expensive than its competitors but it offers much more premium features. Also, he feels that the build quality of the 2020 i20 is much better than the Maruti Suzuki Baleno but it is still behind the Tata Altroz. Hyundai 2020 i20 starts from Rs. 6.79 lakhs ex-showroom.
Also read: Upcoming 2020 Hyundai i20 Magna spied before launch
The post What a Maruti Baleno owner has to say about the new Hyundai i20 first appeared on Cartoq.