2018 Hyundai Elite i20 Review
Car Tested: 2018 Hyundai Elite i20; Road Test No. 909
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 6.21 – 10.79 lakhs
The Elite i20 gets minor changes but remains a strong contender in its segment
Hyundai kick-started the premium hatchback segment in India with the first i20 that was launched way back in 2009. The i20 became an instant hit for Hyundai and masses started loving premium hatchbacks because they provide the comfort and equipment of C-segment sedans while they continue to maintain a compact footprint. The second generation of the hatchback was launched as the Elite i20 in 2014 and since the next generation is still some time away, Hyundai has given a mid-life refresh to this hot-selling car.
Motor Quest: The first generation Hyundai i20 featured a very curvy design that looked very European in nature. Post that, when the Korean automaker launched a facelift of the older car, it got a more “fluidic” design that was in-line with other Hyundais and the styling had a Korean touch to it. The Elite i20 comes with very sharp styling elements in huge contrast to the older i20.
[flickr size=”center” float=”medium”]http://www.flickr.com/photos/motorbeam/39820571554/[/flickr]
More of the visible changes are at the rear
Exteriors – The Elite i20 gets a cascading grille with curved edges now while the front bumper gets a minor restyle. The fog lamps are a bit smaller in size while the Sportz and Asta trims get LED DRLs near the fog lamps. The Asta (O), however, gets DRLs inside the headlamp housing. The car comes with new 16-inch alloy wheels on the Asta (O) trim while the regular Asta gets 15-inch gunmetal alloys. The lower variants get steel rims. The side profile doesn’t have any changes but at the rear, the tail-gate and bumper have been redesigned and the number plate is now placed on the tail-gate instead of the bumper. The tail lamps also get new graphics while the bumper gets a black insert.
[flickr size=”center” float=”medium”]http://www.flickr.com/photos/motorbeam/25660467927/[/flickr]
The interior get minute revisions
Interiors – Very few changes have been made to the cabin of the Elite i20. The dashboard remains the same but the design of the centre AC vents has changed. The touchscreen infotainment system comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and the touchscreen itself is very good to use and smooth in its operations. The vehicle comes with 6 airbags on the top variant and it also gets ISOFIX child seat mounts at the rear. The seat fabric has been changed now while the rear seat also gets a segment-first centre armrest. There are no other changes to the interiors and space and comfort levels remain similar.
