The Hyundai i20 Active comes loaded with features that were intentionally left out on the Elite i20 along with a raised ground clearance and some additional body cladding for that rugged look.
A rugged package to take on the newly found space between hatchbacks and compact SUVs, Hyundai India has launched its first crossover for the year the i20 Active in the country with prices starting at Rs. 6.39 lakhs and going up to Rs. 8.89 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi). Based on the phenomenally hit Elite i20 hatchback, the new i20 comes with the same underpinnings and engine options while being loaded with some rugged upgrades and new features to play the part of a crossover with more conviction.
Design – Starting with the changes on the outside, the 2015 Hyundai i20 Active gets additional black body cladding at the front and sides with silver finished skid plates. There are new alloy wheels and roof rails added to the crossover while the fog lights at the front are now larger than the ones seen on the hatchback. All kitted up, Hyundai has also added projector headlamps as well as integrated LED daytime running lights into the headlight cluster that were missed out on the Elite i20. The rear bumper, on the other hand, gets new reflectors and reverse parking sensors that complete the list of exterior updates.
Interiors – On the inside, the cabin gets a whole new appeal while maintaining the same layout courtesy of the funky new optional orange and blue inserts on the dashboard and gear knob complimenting the otherwise all black interior and adds a dash of sportiness. The seats also get finished with orange inserts, similar to the i20 coupe sold internationally. Completing the list of changes are the new silver finished pedals. The i20 Active continues to come loaded just like the hatchback, but also gets some interesting features like cornering lights, automatic headlamps and a cooled glovebox. Hyundai will not be offering the petrol version in the range-topping trim but the car will be available with all the bells and whistles with the diesel version.
Engines – The i20 Active shares its engine with the hatchback and is powered by the same 1.2-litre petrol and 1.4-litre diesel engines with no change in power output. Hyundai, however, has changed the gear ratios for better torque delivery which has improved by 11 percent on the petrol and 6 percent on the diesel unit. Other mechanical changes include a stiffer suspension set-up for better handling while ground clearance has been increased to 190 mm on the crossover. The update in torque output has taken a toll on the fuel efficiency though which now stands at 17.19 km/l on the petrol and 21.19 km/l on the diesel versions.
Still competitively priced against the competition, the 2015 Hyundai i20 Active joins the bandwagon of hatchback crossovers including the Fiat Avventura, Toyota Etios Cross, Volkswagen Cross Polo and also the Ford EcoSport to an extent in the segment. While the crossover may not be as extensive as the Avventura in terms of off-roading tech wizardry, it surely packs a tonne of features that were intentionally missed out on the Elite i20 to create better differentiation on both the products. Owing to the popularity of the hatchback, the i20 Active is likely to draw a similar amount of affection from the masses who would like a rugged hatchback in their garage.
2015 Hyundai i20 Active Petrol Prices (ex-showroom, Delhi) –
* i20 Active 1.2 – Rs. 6,38,586/-
* i20 Active 1.2 S – Rs. 7,09,735/-
2015 Hyundai i20 Active Diesel Prices (ex-showroom, Delhi) –
* i20 Active 1.4 – Rs. 7,63,228 /-
* i20 Active 1.4 S – Rs. 8,34,337/-
* i20 Active 1.4 SX – Rs. 8,89,427/-
(Prices are introductory)
