FULL STEAM AHEAD

The fourth-generation Hyundai i20 is here and it has its eyes on the premium hatchback throne

- Aditya Upadhyaula

Premium hatchbacks weren’t even a thing until the Hyundai Getz arrived on the scene way back in 2004 and now, in its fourth generation, the Hyundai i20 is in a bit of an awkward space. Compact SUVs, which are little more than lifted hatches anyway, threaten to take over the premium hatchback space. Does the new Hyundai i20 have what it takes to succeed?

Hyundai’s design department has been killing it lately and the i20 is no different. It takes a lot of inspiration from the Le Fil Rouge concept and is quite striking in person. A sharp angular front-end greets you with its projector LED headlamps and DRLs. The new parametric jewel grill also works well with its design. Coming to the side, there are plenty of creases and lines to catch your eye and they all lend the i20 a very sporty character. The lines lead your eyes from the headlights towards the back of the car, where they end abruptly at the taillights.

There’s a little too much chrome on the car for my liking, both on the beltline and in the space connecting the taillights, but given these are popular accessories anyway, I think it’s a good decision. I’d have loved it if the turbo variants swapped this out for darker trim, however. Overall, the new i20 is a refreshing departure from the soft lines of earlier models and I like it.