Hyundai i20 hatchback - Engines, drive & performance
Buyers never really chose the i20 for its fun handling but the new version should change that
Anyone expecting the i20 to serve up a soft, disconnected driving experience clearly hasn't been behind the wheel of a recent Hyundai. The Korean cars are now some of the best to drive in their respective classes, and the i20 has impressive body control.
This does mean the suspension is reasonably firm but the chassis works well enough to smooth out most road imperfections without losing its cool. In versions with 16-inch alloy wheels, speed bumps are also dealt with in a nicely cushioned manner and it doesn’t get noticeably worse on higher trims with 17-inch wheels. On faster roads, the ride can get a little choppy at times but it's nothing too serious and the engine stays very quiet at motorway speeds to create a peaceful cabin environment.
The steering is quite light but the car responds quickly to turns on the wheel, creating a agile, responsive feel that's just what you want in an urban setting. This is definitely one of the most enjoyable superminis to drive and sits in the middle of the pack in terms of comfort.
The N Line is slightly sharper to drive and is a great option if you can’t or don’t want to stretch to the faster i20 N hot hatch. Its exhaust is tuned to sound sportier and the ride is slightly firmer than a lesser i20 but it’s still comfortable.
Hyundai i20 petrol engine
The 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbo petrol engine is a real highlight, spinning smoothly up to 3,500rpm, at which point it's best to change into the next gear thanks to its handy supply of pulling power. Thanks in part to the mild-hybrid assistance, it feels willing from barely above tickover, making it easy and relaxing to drive. Acceleration is fairly nippy: 0-62mph takes 10.4 seconds, although the dual-clutch automatic gearbox increases that by a whole second.
The 118bhp engine is exclusive to the N Line but barely makes the car any quicker than the 99bhp version. It doesn’t feel slow, as there’s a good amount of pulling power, but it’s hard to argue that the performance matches the N Line’s racy styling and soundtrack.
Unlike some three-cylinder engines, there's no shaking or vibration, even when the engine cuts out and starts back up as you're driving along to help save fuel. It's one of the smoothest mild-hybrid systems we've tried so far.
