Review: Hyundai PB.I i20 (2010-12)

Overview

Released in July 2010, the Hyundai PB Series I (PB.I) i20 was available as a light, three- or five-door hatchback. Manufactured in Sriperumbudur, India, the front-wheel drive i20 was powered by 1.4- and 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engines that were mated to either five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions. In July 2011, however, the range was simplified as the 1.6-litre engines were discontinued. The full range is given in the table below.

Dimensions and suspension

Compared to its Hyundai Getz predecessor, the i20 had a 70 mm longer wheelbase (at 2525 mm), was 115 mm longer (3940 mm), 45 mm wider (1710 mm) and 5 mm lower (1490 mm). Furthermore, the i20 had 295 litres of cargo volume with the rear seats in position, though this increased to 1060 litres when folded. The i20 was fitted with MacPherson strut front suspension and torsion beam rear suspension.

Hyundai PB.I i20 specifications
Body	Variant	Years	Engine	Trans.	Peak power	Peak torque
3dr hatch	Active	2010-12	1.4-litre petrol I4	4sp auto, 5sp man.	74 kW at 5500 rpm	136 Nm at 4200 rpm
5dr hatch	Active	2010-12	1.4-litre petrol I4	4sp auto, 5sp man.	74 kW at 5500 rpm	136 Nm at 4200 rpm
5dr hatch	Elite, Premium	2010-11	1.6-litre petrol I4	4sp auto, 5sp man.	91 kW at 6300 rpm	156 Nm at 4200 rpm

Safety equipment

Initially, standard safety equipment for the i20 Active included dual front airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters; the Elite and Premium were also fitted with front side (thorax) airbags and full-length curtain airbags. From October 2010, however, the Active was also fitted with front side and curtain airbags.

Euro NCAP and ANCAP assessments

In Euro NCAP testing , the i20 – when fitted with dual front airbags, front side airbags and curtain airbags – received a five star safety rating which included an 88 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 83 per cent child occupant protection rating. Under ANCAP’s methodology, this testing resulted in a five star adult occupant protection rating of 34.07 out of 37.

When fitted with dual front airbags – but not side or curtain airbags – ANCAP assessed the i20 as having a four star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 28.33 out of 37; in the side impact test, there was a moderate risk of serious chest injury and a slight risk of abdomen injury for the driver.

Features

Standard features for the i20 Active included 15-inch steel wheels, a four-speaker sound system with CD player, WMA/MP3-compatibility, iPod connectivity, USB and auxiliary inputs, air conditioning, a cooled glovebox, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, a height adjustable driver’s seat, an alarm and immobiliser. For five door models, power folding mirrors were also fitted as standard.

The i20 Elite was further equipped with 15-inch alloy wheels, a six speaker sound system, front fog lights, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, cargo net and trip computer. Beyond this, the range-topping Premium variants added 16-inch alloy wheels, climate control air conditioning, combination cloth/leather seats, front map lights and a driver’s armrest.

October 2010: i20 update

In addition to improved standard safety equipment, the i20 underwent a minor update in October 2010 (for the 2011 model year) – changes included blue lighting for the instrument cluster, centre stack and climate controls (previously amber), and Bluetooth audio streaming.

Review: Hyundai PB.II i20 (2012-15)