REAL reasons why everyone’s still buying the Hyundai i20 Elite
The Elite i20 has been in the market for a long time now. It was introduced back in 2014 and since then, it has been consistently selling well. We explain why!
Still looks gorgeous
The i20 is very good looking, and despite being around for about 3 years, it hasn’t aged at all. It isn’t in your face, but elegant. Being designed for the global market, it has a lot of European-ness to the design theme, which makes it appealing. The company has now updated the top of the line variant with LED DRLs and projector headlamps, something that does add to the cool quotient of the i20.
Super interior quality
Interior quality is one area where the i20 is really good, as compared to the Baleno. The plastic quality all over and the two tone beige and black interiors do give the vehicle a more premium feel, as compared to the black interiors of the Baleno. While the i20 has soft touch plastics, the Baleno has plastics which are slightly on the harder side, especially the dashboard.
Loaded
The i20 has always been a well loaded hatchback, even the previous generation Uber cool one. Currently, the top spec i20 comes with 6 airbags, something that the Baleno doesn’t offer. Recently, Hyundai updated the infotainment system of the i20 and it now offers Apple Carplay, Android Auto as well as Mirrorlink. While Maruti also offers a touch screen system, the company has only now begun offering Android Auto. Hyundai also offers rear AC vents on the i20, something that Maruti doesn’t offer on the Baleno.
Punchy diesel engine
The i20 is powered by a 1.4 liter engine that produces 89 Bhp and 220 Nm. The best part about the engine has to be the punch. It has a lot of it, once the turbo spools. It is very quick in a straight line. Yes, it isn’t very dynamic which means high speed cornering could make you uncomfortable, but it still continues to be really quick in a straight line. The Baleno on the other hand is powered by a 1.3 liter engine making 74 Bhp and 190 Nm.
Has a lot of variants, for everyone
The i20 has a lot of variants on offer, to suit everyone’s needs. There are a total of 13 variants on offer, across 3 engine options. You have a petrol manual, in the form of a 1.2 liter engine making 82 Bhp and 115 Nm. Then you have the 1.4 liter diesel making 89 Bhp and 220 Nm which is also only available with a manual transmission. If you want a petrol automatic, you have a different 1.4 liter engine which produces 99 Bhp and 132 Nm. Sadly, a diesel automatic is not offered. To keep up with the Maruti’s personalization options, Hyundai has also offered a new dual tone variant on the i20, with a contrast black roof.
Hyundai peace of mind
While Hyundai doesn’t have as big a service support as Maruti, they do have service stations that are located at all key locations, to make sure that customers don’t really have much of a problem. Even in terms of service costs, the i20 is very close to the Baleno. Since the i20 feels so premium on the inside and yet has good after sales support, a lot of people who wish to buy other European brands now opt for the i20.