The Hyundai i20 is one of the most popular cars currently sold in India. First launched in 2008, the car popularised the premium hatchback segment in India, and over the years we have seen three generations of the car. The first-gen model arrived in 2008, followed by the second-gen i20 in 2014, and in 2020, we saw the launch of the third-gen i20. The latest one is possibly the most advanced i20 ever, with a tonne of smart features and tech, however, it is also a bit on the pricier side. So, if you are looking for a Hyundai i20, but are on a budget, we suggest going for a pre-owned second-gen i20.
The Hyundai i20 came in both petrol and diesel engine options and both are quite capable powertrains.
Depending on the model year and condition, you can get one for anywhere between Rs. 4.5 lakh to Rs. 8 lakh, making it a lot more affordable compared to the new one, and it also gets several modern features, to keep it relevant. However, before you start looking for one, here are some things you need to consider first.
Pros
- The second-gen Hyundai i20 is quite a handsome-looking car. It was the first to get the cascading grille and depending on the variant you could get features like projector headlamps, LED DRLs, sporty alloys, and LED taillights.
- The i20 has always been a features-packed car. Depending on the variant, the second-gen model gets a touchscreen infotainment system, multi-functional steering wheel, auto climate control rear AC vents and more.
- Hyundai also offered a host of safety features, offering dual airbags as standard, while the top-end trim got segment-best 6 airbags. ABS with EBD, rear camera, and ISOFIX is also on offer.
- The i20 came in both petrol and diesel engine options and both are quite capable powertrains. The former is a 1.2-litre engine, which was offered in both manual and automatic options, while the latter was a 1.4-litre oil burner offered with a manual gearbox only.
Most features that we mentioned above are limited to the top-end trim of the i20, so if they are your priority, then you’ll have fewer options to choose from.
Cons
- The second-gen Hyundai i20 was not the best handling car. The steering is a bit too light, and the suspension is also a bit too soft, which meant the car did not feel very planted at high speeds.
- Most features that we mentioned above are limited to the top-end trim of the i20, so if they are your priority, then you’ll have fewer options to choose from.
- The Hyundai i20 doesn’t get a diesel automatic, and while the petrol version of the previous i20, which did get one, is not as spirited as the diesel.
- While Hyundai did offer good safety features, most were limited to the top-spec variant, which is why the car had received an average rating of 3 stars from the Global NCAP.