I bought a Hyundai i20 CRDI diesel Magna (Option) car on December 2012 from Austin Hyundai, Patuli, Kolkata. My earlier car was a Ford Ikon 1.3 flair, which I used for 8 years and was very happy with its ride, handling and performance. I generally travel around 800 to 1000 km a month, so I planned to buy a diesel hatchback car. I was initially looking into Ford Figo Diesel, which is giving lots of features at a reasonable price. But after a test ride and close look I had discarded the same because of its cheap quality interior and also the look was not that appealing.
Another problem of Figo was non-availability of power window on the back even at the top model. Then I looked at Swift VDI, which was readily available with one dealer. Test drive experience was also good, but what stopped me from buying it was its very small luggage space, which is as small as that of Santro. If you are going out for a couple of days or picking up someone from station or airport, luggage space is grossly inadequate.
Then I looked at i20 CRDI. Look-wise, it is one of the best in the hatchback category, but did not consider it earlier because of its high price. However, when I compared the prices, I found that the on road price of i20 Magna is almost same as that of Swift VDI (features are comparable). However I preferred to go for i20 Magna (option) where I got additionally factory fitted sound system with 4 speakers. The audio system is quite good, but this model does not have blue-tooth connectivity or audio control on steering. It also has parking sensor at the back, which is very useful and automatic climate control AC, which I wanted to have. It has built-in indicators on both side mirrors. Another good part of this car is electrical opening of side mirrors, which is extremely useful while driving.
Look-wise, as mentioned earlier it is one of the best looking hatchbacks with fluidic design. It is one of the longest hatchback at 3.995 meter and also one of the widest. So if you think that parking an i20 in a city space is as easy as parking any other hatchback, then you are wrong. Sitting comfort is reasonable for its class. I have only driven it, and hardly sat in the back seat, so cannot comment how would one feel in the back seat on a long drive. It has plenty of storage space on many part of the car. Its dashboard compartment is huge and it can be used as cool compartment also. There are quite a few cup holder and pockets all around. Quality of cover on seat is very good, and you may skip putting an additional seat cover. Sound proofing is also good. When the glasses are rolled over, outside noises and engine sound are hardly audible. Steering is too light, which is good, only after you get used to it.
Now let’s come to the engine part. It has 1.4 litre CRDI diesel engine, generating 90 PS of power with 220 Nm of Torque. It is one of the best (if not the best) in its class. However, typically like any other diesel engine it is initially (up to 1750 rpm or so) very sluggish. Especially, if you are used to drive a petrol engine, then you will not like it. However, once the rpm is at 2000 or more, you suddenly experience huge power and would cross almost all other cars on the road. Engine sound is initially audible when you start it. However, when all the windows are rolled up, it is not that prominent.
You would not notice the engine sound at all, once you are driving at 60 kmph or more. It is a real pleasure to drive, once you are in the range of 60 to 100 kmph. This car has 6 forward gears. The 6th gear would be useful in highways only (above 80 kmph or more) as I could hardly use it in the city. However, having said all good things, I still feel I miss my earlier Ford Ikon as far as handling and cornering at high speed is concerned. I miss the firmness on the road and wish if the suspension of i20 was little better to absorb the modulation of the road. It is little bumpy on a speed breaker, especially when riding alone. Breaking is just OK, neither great, nor bad. However, this model does not have ABS, which is available on higher models only.
As far as mileage is concerned, it is varying from 15 km to 17 km during my last 2400 km of driving with intermittent AC on. I hope, this will improve further, once the engine is run for around 5000 km. Automatic Climate Control AC is pretty good so far, though I need to test it in peak summer. Due to the powerful engine, you would hardly notice drop in power, once the AC is put on. Hence, the drop in mileage is also minimum with AC on. Since synthetic engine oil is used, the gap in service is 10, 000 km or 1 year, whichever is earlier. So maintenance cost also should not be very high at least in the initial years. Service of the dealer Austin Hyundai is also good.
Overall, I am satisfied with the car and recommend others also to go for it.