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Exclusive Quick Review: Hyundai Elite i20 driven by Reader Vatsal Shah

2014 Hyundai i20

The New 2014 Hyundai Elite i20 is still a couple days away from launch. However, one of our readers, Vatsal Shah from Rajkot, India has managed to drive one and has shared his experience with us. Vatsal already owns a previous gen i20 which has covered 50,000 kilometers, hence is well poised to figure out the good and the not so good in the new car in comparison to the outgoing version of this premium Korean hatchback.

(For our exhaustive review of the 2014 Hyundai Elite i20, click here)

So lets begin with what Vatsal thinks is different and new in the car followed by his drive experience.

  • The new 2014 Hyndai Elite i20 according to Vatsal looks rather handsome in person, especially the rear.
  • The New 2014 Hyundai Elite i20 breathes through a WGT (Waste Gate Turbo) instead of a VGT (Variable Geometry Turbo). VGT’s score over WGT’s providing better economy, linear acceleration and less turbo-lag. However, WGT’s are considered to be more reliable
  • Fuel Injectors are from Delphi again, this time capable of higher pressures

2014 Hyundai i20 rear view

  • The AC compressor is bigger in size and features a larger air intake, refrigerant is different
  • 16″ rims wrapped in 195/55 section rubber
  • Revised Suspension
  • Smart key has a request sensor only on the driver side front door. Side mirrors open automatically, once the key is in proximity of the car
  • Doors feel heavier and close with a ‘Thud’ sound in comparison to the ones on the outgoing model
  • Multi-Information screen within the Instrument Cluster is now a colour display unit. Once the ignition is turned off, it provides data like Average Speed of the journey, fuel-economy and the duration for which the engine was running

2014 Hyundai i20 side view

  • Dual-tone interiors reek of quality and feel better than the outgoing version, which was a benchmark for the premium hatchback segment
  • Audio system is better than the older gen i20, which according to Vatsal had poor quality speakers at the rear
  • Parking assist feature depends on Steer angle and guides accordingly
  • Better noise insulation in comparison to the predecessor ensures a silent cabin
  • New i20 features rear AC vents which cool the cabin more efficiently
  • Vatsal experienced the front seats in the new car now provide better lumbar support, his own i20 would result in lower back pain on longer drives

2014 Hyundai i20 steering wheel

  • The newer version has surprisingly skipped on Daytime Running LED’s and a Sunroof
  • Doors do not auto lock once the car is in motion, even after a specified speed
  • Wipers do not feature rain sensors

2014 Hyundai i20 dashboard

Vatsal managed to drive the car for a brief period and feels Hyundai has made attempts to iron out the chinks present in the outgoing model. here are his observations.

  • As soon as you step inside the car and switch the igniton on, a coloured display slotted between the twin dials greets you with a multitude of information, including outside temperature display, a trip-meter, Average Speed of the journey, real-time and average fuel consumption
  • Once fired up, the motor is barely audible inside the cabin as Hyundai has made efforts to improve the NVH characteristics
  • Vatsal experienced the New Elite i20 is quicker off the line and he also experienced the turbo lag to be less pronounced, credit for the improvement according to him could be the new WGT Turbo and the injectors

2014 Hyundai i20 interiors (4)

  • He couldn’t find much difference in the new steering unit as it still lacks any weight and feel. He could only manage speeds upto 70 kph, so he isn’t sure if there is any improvement when the Elite i20 reaches triple digit speeds
  • High speed handling has improved
  • The steering wheel feels great to hold, while the audio control buttons are a joy to use
  • Mr Shah feels the suspension has been improved, as the excessive vertical movement in the older gen car has now been sobered down

Full credit for this information goes to Vatsal Shah and we thank him for sharing his enthusiasm with us. For more such content, an exhaustive review and more information about the ‘Elite’ new Hyundai i20, stay tuned to Motoroids.

Click on any picture for an enlarged view.

 

5 thoughts on “Exclusive Quick Review: Hyundai Elite i20 driven by Reader Vatsal Shah”

  1. I believe the Elite I20 lacks fuel consumption related display, can you confirm it actually shows average fuel economy etc, if yes, how can one access that data?

  2. I believe the Elite I20 lacks fuel economy related displays, can you confirm that it actually shows the fuel consumption data?

  3. Quote: ” – He could only manage speeds upto 70 kph, so he isn’t sure if there is any improvement when the Elite i20 reaches triple digit speeds.
    – High speed handling has improved”

    How does he know high speed handling has improved if he didnt reach high speeds? 70 km/h is not considered high speed.
    Just curious to know what he based his observations on?

  4. Can you confirm the veracity of the info ? I believe new i20 has DRLs. But no sunroof is a bit of a letdown. Any other car features the WGT ?

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