Transcript: Car Comment - Hyundai i20
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"Car Comment" by
Next Car's Stephen Walker during the
"Road Ramblings" radio programme in
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Car Comment
Broadcast date: 21st May, 2011
***** START *****
There was a time when Hyundai cars were sold on the
basis of price alone. No other factors came into the equation, as it were. However, cars such as the
little i20 make the task of not only considering Hyundai a viable proposition but, in fact, a
necessity. That's because this little one has many favourable aspects.
The Hyundai i20 competes in the highly competitive "Light Car" class alongside the Korean brand's
other little one, the long established Getz. At sometime in the not too distant future the i20 will be
Hyundai's sole competitor in this class as the Getz is coming to the end of its showroom 'career'.
The test car, on this occasion, is the Hyundai i20 Active 5-door hatchback fitted with the
optional automatic transmission. Active is the base model, fitting into the i20 line-up below the
Elite and Premium models.
Prices for the i20 are quite competitive with other cars in this keenly contested market
segment.
The i20 Active comes standard with a 1.4 litre 4-cylinder engine, whilst the other versions have
a 1.6 litre engine. Each model is available as a manual or with automatic transmission. Active, the
base model, is available as a 3 door hatch or as a 5 door. The Elite and Premium versions are
available solely as a 5 door model.
The little i20 gets along reasonably with the 1.4 litre engine. In fact, it is quite a decent drive
for a little car. Manoeuvring is easy.
Safety features include electronic stability control but, unfortunately, only two airbags on the
base model.
Some handy features include the 4-way adjustable steering column and power windows that glide all
the way down into the doors. Connectivity for numerous portable devices is good and there is a big
glove box. There is also self-locking doors once you reach 40 kilometres per hour or so.
One of the great features of the Hyundai i20 is the very wide opening of the front doors. It
makes entry and egress exceptionally easy. This will be a highly prized feature for folks who have
agility concerns.
The i20 marks a good advancement for the Hyundai brand. Now that makes several new Hyundai models
coming along later this year even more interesting than would normally be the case.
***** END *****
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