The Hyundai i20 is packed with standard features and drives with the kind of appeal we're typically used to in cars that cost a lot more money. Check out this great review of the Hyundai i20, as adapted from Wheels24.
The i20 will comfortably carry four adults and provide a respectable amount of luggage space. The i20 on which the below review is based on the 1.0-litre TGDI Fluid with six-speed manual transmission and two-tone paint. This i20 sells for R338 900 at Hyundai dealers.
The Hyundai i20 has undoubtedly become more avant-garde in terms of styling on the outside. It's a head-turner of note, and during the test period, it was showered with praise by friends, family, and neighbours for its looks. We like the compact nature of the car and its sharp lines and aggressive stance. It looks like a hot hatch, and it has a charm to it that is very alluring.
The Hyundai i20 measures 3995mm in length, 1775mm wide and stands 1505mm from the ground. It offers a ground clearance of 170mm, which is not bad considering it's a classic five-door hatchback vehicle and not a crossover like the Kona. The trunk proves large enough at 311 litres for a weekend getaway's worth of luggage.
Being the range-topping Fluid model, you get all the features you need to ensure a comfortable trip. It has anti-lock brakes and electronic brakeforce distribution, but no traction or stability control systems.
The car's 1.0-litre turbo three-cylinder is a gem to experience. It produces 90kW and 170Nm, good enough for zero to 100km/h sprints in 9.7 seconds and a top speed of 190km/h. An average of 9 litres per 100km was achieved during the test cycle because we thoroughly enjoyed the sporty driving characteristics of the i20. We pretty much drove this car like it was a Toyota GR Yaris as it felt terrific in the hands and from the driver's seat and inspired confidence even though it didn't have electronic driving aids to leverage.
We particularly enjoyed the short-throw, six-speed manual transmission and the easy to actuate clutch pedal. In the right gears, you can safely overtake, and if you are gentle with the vehicle, you can use as little as 6.5 litres of unleaded per 100km. The i20 proved so convenient and so much fun to live with that we consider it one of the best alternatives to the class-leading VW Polo right now for less than R350 000.
If you're looking for a family vehicle and have one child, you can easily get away with living with an i20 for many years to come. We'd have the i20 in a heartbeat based on this test.
South Africa’saffordable SUVsegment has literally exploded in the past year, with new entrants like the Suzuki Vitara Brezza and its Toyota Urban Cruiser twin hitting local shores along with the Kia Sonet, Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger.
Priced at R259 900, the Hyundai Venue 1.2 Motion costs R58 000 less than the 1.0T Motion which was previously the most affordable entry into the range.
But whereas the latter comes with an 88kW 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine, those buying the 1.2 Motion will have to make do with a normally aspirated 1.2-litre petrol engine that produces just 61kW and 114Nm. It is paired with a five-speed manual transmission.
It remains to be seen whether the new 1.2 will offer adequate performance at altitude, and it’s also worth noting that its rivals come with larger 1.5-litre or turbocharged 1.0-litre engines.
The Hyundai Venue 1.2 Motion does however cover all the bases spec-wise, with standard amenities including an 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and a reverse camera. It also comes with a multi-function steering wheel, electric windows and mirrors, manual air conditioning, dual front airbags and ABS brakes.
Also included in the R259 900 price is a seven-year or 200 000km warranty, three-year/45 000km service plan and roadside assistance for seven years or 150 000km.
The new Elantra carries Hyundai’s latest ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ design language, but with a twist. Labelled 'Parametric Dynamics’, the main element of this styling theme is the convergence of three surface lines at a single point; this is most evident on the new Elantra’s doors.
Up front, the Elantra’s LED headlights merge into the large, cascading grille to form a single unit, while prominent creases on the bonnet lend the sedan a decidedly aggressive look. The silhouette is no longer of a conventional three-box sedan but more akin to a four-door coupé, with the roof gently flowing into the tail section. At the rear, the new Elantra gets T-shaped LED tail lights linked by an LED light bar that runs across the boot lid. When lit up at night, this rear-light arrangement forms the 'flying H logo'.
It is roomier than before
The 2021 Elantra is based on Hyundai’s new K3 platform, which the carmaker claims brings in weight savings vis-a-vis the outgoing model. When compared to the outgoing model currently, the new car is 56mm longer, 51mm lower and 26mm wider, with a 20mm increase in wheelbase.
The increase in length and width should translate into more interior space for all passengers. Also, Hyundai claims that despite the drop in height, the new Elantra has the same amount of headroom as the outgoing model, while offering more leg- and shoulder-room for rear-seat passengers.
It has a feature-rich interior
The new Elantra’s interior has a completely new dashboard design and a four-spoke steering wheel, as seen on the new Hyundai Creta. Top-spec Elantras feature twin 10.25-inch screens – one for the instrument cluster and one for the infotainment system – merged into a single unit. As seen on the upcoming new-gen i20, the Elantra features slim AC vents too, spanning the width of the dash.
In terms of equipment, the new Elantra is loaded to the gills with features. Key among these are Hyundai's Blue Link connected-car technology, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, an electric sunroof, ventilated seats, 64-colour ambient lighting, a 'Digital Key' smartphone app (to unlock and start the car) and wireless smartphone charging. Apart from airbags, ABS and ESC, standard safety kit also include a driver attention warning system and forward collision avoidance assist.
There are some interesting engines
For this seventh generation Hyundai decided to carry forward the 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine from its predecessor. However, this engine is now paired with a CVT-automatic gearbox instead of the older torque converter unit.
Hyundai offers a 1.5-litre diesel engine as an option, if there’s sufficient demand for it. The new Elantra is also offered with the 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine from the new Creta SUV.
Internationally, Hyundai offers a hybrid powertrain with the new Elantra – a first for the model. This powertrain pairs a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine with a 32kW electric motor (powered by a 1.32kWh lithium-ion battery) for a combined output of 102 kw and 264 Nm of torque, and is mated to a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
The Hyundai Elantra sold in SA was already a compelling package in the midsize sedan segment. This new seventh-gen model promises to be a few rungs up on the desirability quotient.
The 2021 Hyundai Kona wears like statement jewellery and drives like a bargain.
It’s a small crossover SUV with economy-car roots, but the 2021 Kona has fancy hardware, from all-wheel drive to a dual-clutch transmission to an all-electric companion—and it’s all wrapped in a shape that demands you notice it.
The Kona is a lot to look at. All the clever crossover-SUV styling tricks show up here, from floating-roof cues to highlighter highlights to stacked headlights. It’s better and more soothing inside, where a more routine layout of controls and a now-usual touchscreen interface take the wheel.
Selecting the right Kona for performance takes some hoop-jumping. Base cars get a middling 147-horsepower inline-4 and a smooth-shifting 6-speed automatic; we’d take the latter with the optional and way more perky 175-hp turbo-4 instead of the shifty 7-speed dual-clutch that’s supplied.The Kona drives better with available all-wheel drive, which comes with an independent rear suspension that makes the most of its short wheelbase. It’s perky, entertaining on back roads, and easy to needle through city streets.
Four or five people can fit in the Kona, but the second-row seat’s snug for large adults even if only two come along for the ride. Flip down the back seat and the Kona can hold 1296,9-litres of cargo.
Every Kona comes with automatic emergency braking, and the IIHS and the NHTSA give the crossover sterling crash-test scores. Base cars have a 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility; our sweet spot is the Kona SEL, which gets keyless start, 17-inch wheels, heated front seats, satellite radio, and blind-spot monitors. The Kona’s killer app? A 5-year/100,000km warranty..
Styling
It’s a party on the outside, business inside the Kona.
Have you seen a crossover-SUV styling cue you like? Chances are it’s in place on the 2021 Hyundai Kona, a busy-looking crossover that wears a lot of flash in its quest for attention. It’s less complicated inside, for which we give thanks—but we still give a 4 overall for the look.
The cabin reads differently, like a familiar book. The controls are laid out in a logical way, with pods of controls and vents framed in a lot of black and grey. The Kona’s central touchscreen lightens up the mood—we’re still waiting for a crackling-fireplace wallpaper for the screen. It’s not quite sober, but not nearly so radical as the body; the Kona interior seems almost to belong to a different car altogether.
Performance
The Kona handles well, but its powertrains need more refinement.
The petrol-powered Hyundai Kona can handle winding roads, but its engines and transmissions lag.
Base Kona crossovers adopt a 2.0-litre inline-4 that churns out 109kW. It’s teamed with a 6-speed automatic that sends power to the front wheels. If that sounds like an economy car, it is—and the Kona seems sluggish in this configuration. All-wheel drive helps with traction in wet weather, but it adds weight and cost too, so we’d avoid it in this configuration.
In handling the Kona fares much better. The independent suspension on all-wheel-drive versions delivers deft handling (front-drive models have a twist-beam rear that’s a little less planted) and good ride comfort for a car that rides on a short wheelbase. Steering feel builds heft when the Kona’s drive modes flip into Sport, and the ride degrades a bit when the larger 18-inch wheels are fitted, so finding the best Kona performance is a needle-threading exercise. With all-wheel drive, the Kona has 6.7 inches of ground clearance, so visions of Moab would be better replaced by visions of a close-in parking spot at the mall on a rainy weekend morning.
The best way to know if the Kona’s handling is suited to your driving style and needs is to book a test drive at Group 1 Hyundai.
Comfort & Quality
The Kona’s smaller than a Tucson—and not much bigger than a Venue.
Hyundai slots the Kona crossover between its Tucson and Venue utility vehicles, but it’s closer in size to the value-packed Venue—and that makes it more suitable for two adults and occasional passengers rather than four people on long hauls.
We think it’s a 6 for comfort, thanks to its spacious cargo hold.
The Kona’s front seats have good bolstering and range of adjustment; they sit relatively high, which sells this crossover SUV to people who might think a Kia Soul is too low. The cloth seats can be upgraded to leather in the top trim.
While the seats themselves are fine, the Kona’s cabin is snug, and rear seats are limited in shoulder and knee room for adults. Headroom works better, thanks to the Kona’s bubble-roof design.
The rear seats fold down to boost the Kona’s cargo space from 544-litres to 1297=litres. Better than some lower-riding hatchbacks, the Kona has a wide hatch and a low load floor, which makes for an easier cargo loading experience.
The Kona interior comes in grey or black.
Safety
The Kona comes standard with great crash-test scores.
Crash-test scores put the Kona near the top of its small-SUV niche.
The NHTSA pegs the Kona at five stars overall, with a sole four-star score for rollover risk. The IIHS gives it “Good” scores in all its crash tests and a Top Safety Pick award.
All Hyundai Kona crossovers come with automatic emergency braking. Blind-spot monitors become available on the SEL, while Ultimate Konas get a head-up display, adaptive cruise control, and active lane control.
KONA Base Model Features
Hyundai fits all Kona crossovers with lots of features and covers them with the same great warranty, but the SEL offers the best value.
Base Kona SE crossovers have power features, cloth upholstery, 16-inch wheels, a 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and automatic emergency braking.
Hyundai’s 5-year/100,000 km bumper-to-bumper warranty covers the Kona, and it expands to 10 years/160,000 km for the powertrain. Hyundai also includes three years of free maintenance on all its 2021 models.
Before the Hyundai i20 there was the Hyundai Getz. And I seem to remember that most times I had to hire a car while on holidays in those days, the Getz was the rental industry’s small car of choice. There was a good reason — it was simple, reliable, and pretty tough. For me, as their customer, it never let me down.
This last week I was driving the third generation of the Getz’s successor. And I felt the same way about it. Tidy in size but with enough capacity, reliable because the powertrains are derivative of engine tech that is tried and proven, and I found it to be pretty tough on some of the more marginal roads at the edges of my home area.
Through its three iterations since 2009, the i20’s looks have been evolving. This latest is very attractive in its class, and Hyundai has a name for the theme — Sensuous Sportiness. I see what they’re getting at … though the performance is pretty ordinary, the car looks the sporty part.
A sculpted wedge, the waistline dropping forward from a stylistically intricate rear treatment. A front with an edge to its grille styling. The ‘eyes’ lights have a purposeful gaze. I got comments whenever I drove up in the car. All good. Those 16” alloys probably helped. And the contrasting black roof.
It’s all new inside too, and smartly done. The horizontal ridged detailing along the dashboard adds a sense of width. A fresh treatment of the main instruments in a mix of white and Hyundai’s trademark blue theme are a very good modern take on traditional. The centre screen has big real buttons on either side. (There’s noting more frustrating than trying to tap small virtual buttons while driving. Yeah, yeah, you heard me before. You’ll continue to do so.)
The linkage to your smartphone of choice is now totally wireless, with no need to hook a charging lead up for using the Apple or Android systems. This is progress: such leads generally loop around stuff and are untidy.
The i20 has always offered decent travelling for four people The inside space is much the same as the previous car, and that’s enough. Even for me, getting in and out of the back was easy, and my remaining hair stayed clear of the roof. I also had ample knee room behind someone of my own size upfront. This is a small car that doesn’t stint on space.
The engine is the familiar 1.2 inline-four which has been a staple of the petrol option through the Hyundai i20s generations. Gaining a little in power along the way. I suggested already that the car doesn’t do blistering performance, but the 84hp is adequate and matches nicely most use this car will have. The 5-speed manual is a masterclass in good feel and operation.
This car comes with a solid suite of driver-assist programmes as standard, including Lane Keeping Assist and one that reminds you when the car stopped in front moves away. I turn most of them off. Too many beeps and nudges, for those of us who find this annoying it’s an issue right across the industry.
For obvious reasons I’m not doing the long runs these days, but I do have a quite testing circuit of varying roads in my own county, and it was on some of these where I felt the latest i20 at Group 1 Hyundai will likely live long on even the most neglected of road surfaces. Quite impressively strong and capable, actually.
It’s partly the state of the market, partly where the car’s segment sits, but Hyundai in Ireland is offering just two grades, and two engines … the one driving mine and a 1.0 three-pot with automatic transmission.
All in all, my week with the car was a very satisfying experience. I’d be very happy renting one whenever we get to leave this island for the holidays again.
. Article sourced from https://www.southernstar.ie/
Saturday, 15 May 2021
Hybrid engines and bold looks aim to propel the Hyundai i30 to centre stage in the family car market abroad.
The freshly facelifted Hyundai i30 has followed the modern family hatchback playbook to the letter. First off, it has a funky new look that's designed to make it stand out on the road, and in new N-Line trim especially, with its mean front and rear bumpers, it does just that. Second, it features a mild-hybrid engine in the range, which should lower your running costs and add a bit more zip, to increase the size of your smile as you drive. And thirdly, its interior is now more digital than the space shuttle – i.e, you’re constantly connected to the internet, with a larger infotainment screen to see all of the information presented to you.
All this is intended to push the i30 upmarket, to escape the chasing pack of family cars that includes the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra, to zoom past the class-leading Skoda Scala and Seat Leon, and to challenge the Volkswagen Golf at the pricier end of this market. Has Hyundai done enough, though? Well, although you won’t be able to buy this updated Hyundai i30 in South Africa, we’re sharing this review for all the i30 lovers in SA.
2020 Hyundai i30 on the road
The 1.5-litre petrol engine mild-hybrid setup of this early prototype car is likely to be the exclusive preserve of sporty N-Line trim, which is designed to have the look of a toned-down i30N hot hatchback, but not the sky-high running costs. It’s certainly peppy enough, and, thanks to the small amounts of electrical assistance you receive from the get-go, has no trouble in getting you up to speed. Indeed, while a 0-62mph sprint time of 8.4sec might not sound overly quick, it is on par with the equivalent mild-hybrid Golf 1.5 eTSI 150, and makes this the fastest of the regular i30s at Group 1 Hyundai use to stock, by some margin.
Peak pulling power arrives fairly low down in the rev range, so there’s rarely any need to explore the rev counter’s upper reaches. That is a good thing because although it’s fairly hushed at lower revs, it’s noisier than the Golf 1.5 eTSI as the revs rise. That being said, noise and vibration suppression is something that’s very much still being worked on, so we’ll reserve final judgements for now.
Changes to the i30’s ride and handling aren’t major; as is the case with the current car, it offers a supple ride over most surfaces, but major scars and potholes can send a thud through the car.
This i30 feels a little more tied down through corners and more predictable than the current car; and, while the steering weight is a little hefty at times, it gives you a good idea of what the front wheels are up to. A Focus or Leon are still better choices for drivers seeking engagement, though.
You’ll be able to order an i30 with either a seven-speed automatic or six-speed manual gearbox, and the latter offers smooth shifts with a satisfying action as you slot the lever into place.
And what of those reduced running costs? Well, on a mixed route, which included both town driving and faster roads, and a liberal approach to the i30’s accelerator pedal, we managed 40mpg – similar to what we’ve seen from the Golf 1.5-litre eTSI 150 in the past.
2020 Hyundai i30 interior
Some of the i30’s interior is still being finalised, but what we’ve seen so far represents a big upgrade over the current car. For a start, while the instrument cluster still uses traditional analogue dials, they flank a new 7.0in digital display that provides a wealth of information just below your eye-line. The i30’s infotainment screen has grown to 10.25in, too, and it’s more responsive to use than the older system plus has more online features. And, while all touchscreens can be distracting to use while you’re driving, at least this i30’s doesn’t control everything; unlike the latest Golf and Leon, the i30 gives you physical buttons and knobs for its climate controls.
Interior space hasn’t changed, which means there's plenty of room for those in the front, but a six-foot passenger in the back will be quite cramped in for both head and legroom when sitting behind a similarly lanky driver. It doesn’t help that the front seatbacks, which their knees will make contact with, are made from hard plastic, but this may change on the final production model. Meanwhile, you can still fit slightly more shopping into the i30’s boot than you could in the Golf’s, although the cavernous Skoda Octavia remains the go-to choice for families with lots of luggage to carry around.
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Article from https://carcraziness.postach.io/post/2021-hyundai-i30-facelift-reviewed
We’ve seen many great Hyundai specials over the years, but THIS Hyundai is really special…
Hyundai announced the formation of its new New Horizons Studio on Monday dedicated to hyper-capable "Ultimate Mobility Vehicles." These vehicles combine wheeled travel and robotics to travel over even the harshest off-road terrain. So far, the concepts also look like giant human-carrying Boston Dynamics dogs.
It's the stuff of science fiction, and Hyundai Vice President Dr. John Suh, who's leading the New Horizons Studio, knows it.
“We aim to create the world’s first transformer-class vehicle, also known as the Ultimate Mobility Vehicle,” notes Dr. Suh.
TRANSFORMER-CLASS. Will this fold back down into an i20 WRC? Should I be looking to Hyundai instead to finally deliver on that life-size Gundam I've always dreamed of? Why am I asking you these things instead of Hyundai?
They're not to giant laser-shooting battle suits just yet, sadly. New Horizons Studio's first project is to further develop the Hyundai Elevate concept from the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show. The Elevate has wheels on its four legs, meaning that it can pick up those legs to get to otherwise unreachable locations.
Hyundai believes that the Elevate could be useful as a first responder vehicle in natural disasters, or as a vehicle that can pick up wheelchair users who may not be able to travel down a ramp to get into a car. Back the Elevate directly up to the door, and let them skip the stairs.
