I decided to buy a Hyundai i20 Asta after thorough comparisons and study of almost every car available in the country. I have owned 8 cars in the last 15 years and this is my second one from the Hyundai stable. When I initially contacted my dealer for a car in March end, I was told.
It will take 2 to 3 months to get one. But I was lucky enough to get my hands on somebody else’s booking which was gettin cancelled (for no premium). I had to be content with his booking colour - silver. Not bad though, White would have been fantastic. I have driven the vehicle for 450 kms and here’s my inference.
1.) Contrary to many reviews I read online, the engine is fantastic, responsive, silent and smooth.
2.) I am but not so impressed with the economy ( 11.25/ltr of Normal Petrol at the end of first 400+ kms)
3.) A car with such good interiors should have come with leather seats.
4.) The seatbelt warning is a bit too loud and takes too long to stop - therefore I prefer to wear them even for short drives.
5.) The stereo is fantastic - very refined sound.
6.) The AC is good - Yes! the back seat passengers get AC from somewhere under the front seats..
7.) The factory fitted horn is a complete misfit for Indian towns where thick skinned buffaloes don’t move off the road and the worst part is Hyundai guys have told me it is impossible to fit extra horns.
8.) Though the key and immobiliser etc., are very smart, the absence of the tweet sound for the lock and unlock is slightly disturbing. There is no car locator either, though it is not difficult to spot your i20 in a parking lot.
9.) Hyundai’s decision to go exclusively on APOLLO ACELERE tubeless radials is funny. I personally feel APOLLO is not a brand that will complement a car like i20.
10.) The driver’s road view (due to driver seat height adjustment) and reverse view are excellent.
11.) The absence of a Vanity mirror is not expected from Hyundai.
12.) The user manual shows a "mileage calculator" feature which is unfortunately absent in the Indian version.