“Flat is the new up.” This little gem of a quote belongs to Hyundai Motor America’s president and CEO John Krafcik. And in many ways it’s the perfect description for the new Hyundai i20.
First impressions of this Mazda 2, Ford Fiesta and Toyota Yaris competitor are that it’s a little conservative or dare I say it…flat. But, that doesn’t mean a whole lot of research and development didn’t go into it making it one of the straightest B-segment shooters.
At a time when any other manufacturer would sell you a car made out of papier-mâché if it meant a sale, the engineering in the consolidated i20 package is impressive.
It’s not the sort of thing that’ll wow your mates at the pub, but the i20 has an extra high-strength uni-body safety cell to give it a five-star Euro NCap safety rating. It has ABS, EBD, disc brakes and an array of airbags.
What will impress your mates at the pub are the heated, folding side mirrors and the USB, MP3 and iPod connective stereo with steering wheel controls. The i20 also has a trip computer, heated and cooled glove box and a height and reach adjustable steering wheel.
Styling-wise, the i20 has really tried to copy at least one thing from each of its main competitors. A bit of Yaris at the back, Corsa at the front and Fiesta on the sides and predictably in doing so, it comes away with no real identity at all.
But who buys a Korean car for the styling? Who knows, that might even impress your mates at the pub.
Prices:
1.4-litre R149 900
1.6-litre R159 900
(Alloy wheels will cost R2 000 extra)