Toyota Innova Crysta Review & Competitions

The Toyota Innova has been the Japanese automaker’s most successful product to date in India after taking over from the Qualis, its predecessor. Since it began sales in 2005, the Innova had remained pretty much the same until the showcase of the Innova Crysta at the Auto Expo 2016.

The new generation Innova is almost an entirely new car except for the remnants of the body shell. Built to meet the demands of the new age Indian car buyer, the Innova Crysta looks and feels more premium than the outgoing car.

Exterior

The Innova Crysta looks boxy as compared to the Innova. The twin horizontal slats on the radiator grille blend into the wrap around rectangular double-barrel headlamps. The lower half of the hexagonal grille gets thin black slats and is flanked by the fog lamps housings on both sides. The headlights are projector units, and there is an addition of DRLs in this new version. The side profile, thanks to the roofline, gives the car a much sleeker appearance. It also gets a prominent shoulder-line, flared wheel arches and large 17-inch wheels to make it look its part like an SUV rather than an MPV. The third row quarter glass window is slashed by the thick D-pillar and may make the last row feel a bit stuffy. The tail lamps get the signature kink seen on modern Toyotas like the Prius which was also present at the Expo.

Interior

The interior seems to be a miles ahead of the outgoing Innova. The dash gets driver-centric contours and is dressed in black with a classy metallic strip defining its outline. The instrument cluster is new and blue-lit. The two dials read out revs and speed while the multi-function display in the centre gives away all other related information. The digital display at the top centre of the dash continues to read out time, temperature and other bits. The touch-screen infotainment system on the dash doesn’t feel like a retro-fit and is intuitive to use. The new steering wheel gets metal highlights and steering mounted controls.

Space has been the Innova’s forte and the Crysta takes it a level further. Longer, wider and taller than the outgoing car, the Crysta offers comfortable seating in the first and second row. While the third row seating is still a bit low for long hauls, it is one of the better places to be in within the segment. The top-spec car now gets power seats and climate control with separate zone for rear passengers continues to cool the barge.

Engine and gearbox

The decade-old 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine has finally been replaced by an all-new 2.4-litre diesel unit producing 147bhp and 343Nm of torque. Mated to a five-speed manual gearbox, the engine sends power to the rear wheels. Toyota also offers the Innova Crysta with a six-speed automatic transmission option but that comes only with the new 2.8-litre four cylinder turbo-charged diesel. The 2.8-litre mill develops 174bhp of power at 3400rpm and 360Nm of torque from as low as 1200rpm. ABS and EBD is standard across all variants along with dual front airbags and knee airbags. The automatic transmission car gets ESP and hill-assist for driver aids.

Price and competition

The Innova Crysta ideally competes with the Mahindra XUV 500 and the soon to be launched Tata Hexa. The pricing though, indicates that Innova Crysta demands a chunky premium over its competition, something the buyers would pay for an equally reliable and better equipped car.

Toyota Innova Crysta Mileage:

Fuel Type                             Transmission                       Mileage

Petrol                                    Automatic                              10.75 Kmpl

Petrol                                    Manual                                   11.25 Kmpl

Diesel                                    Automatic                               14.29 Kmpl

Diesel                                    Manual                                    15.1 Kmpl  

Innova Crysta Specifications:

Engines

2755 cc, Diesel, 172 bhp @ 3400 RPM power

2694 cc, Petrol, 164 bhp @ 5200 RPM power

2393 cc, Diesel, 148 bhp @ 3400 RPM power

Gearboxes

6-speed, Automatic, Rear Wheel Drive

5-speed, Manual, Rear Wheel Drive

Seating Capacity

7 seater

8 seater

Steering

Power steering

Volkswagen Ameo Review

The Ameo is the new compact sedan from Volkswagen. Based on the Polo, the new model will be just under four metres in length to compete with the Maruti Suzuki Dzire, Hyundai Xcent, Honda Amaze and the Tata Zest.

In terms of looks, the Ameo will follow the traditional VW design which is subtle yet elegant. The front fascia of the Ameo is very similar to that of the Polo with the twin slat grille and a chrome underline and rectangular fog lamps. The profile is identical to the Polo till the C-pillar. The Ameo’s C-pillar has been thinned out with a quarter-glass added to make it feel roomy. The stubby boot fits the four-metre bill, but doesn’t gel with the overall flow of the design. The tail lamps are similar to the Vento but with a kink on the inner side.

The interior has been carried over straight from the Polo. The top of the dashboard is black, while rest of the trim is beige to make the cabin look roomier. The Ameo gets rear AC vents from the Vento, but that apart, the feature list has been taken over form the Polo. The top spec car gets cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, a touch-screen infotainment system, all four power windows and electrically adjustable wing mirrors. Like all VWs in India, airbags are standard on all variants, while the middle and top spec trims will get ABS-EBD.

The Ameo had been launched with the petrol engine only. It started with the 1.2-litre three-cylinder MPI engine tuned to produce 108bhp and 250Nm powers the compact sedan and mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. Volkswagen has also started offering their 1.5-litre diesel engine on the Ameo. The four cylinder turbo-diesel develops 89bhp of power and 230Nm of torque. It is offered with the five-speed manual as well as the dual-clutch DSG automatic gearbox. We also expect VW to offer the 1.2-litre TSI with the seven-speed automatic with the Ameo just like the Polo GT TSI.

Volkswagen has positioned the Ameo aggressively in terms of pricing. The starting price of the compact sedan is a tad above the Tata Zest but lower than its primary competition – the Maruti Swift Dzire, the Hyundai Xcent and the Honda Amaze.

Volkswagen Ameo Mileage

Fuel Type                           Transmission                       Mileage

Petrol                                  Manual                                  17.83 Kmpl

Diesel                                  Manual                                  21.66 Kmpl

Diesel                                  Automatic                             21.73 Kmpl  

Ameo Specifications:

Engines

1498 cc, Diesel, 109 bhp @ 4000 RPM power

1198 cc, Petrol, 74 bhp @ 5400 RPM power

Gearboxes

7-speed, Automatic, Front Wheel Drive

5-speed, Manual, Front Wheel Drive

Seating Capacity

5 seater

Steering

Power steering

Volkswagen Polo Review

Volkswagen launched the Polo in 2010 to compete with the Hyundai i20 in the premium hatchback segment. The German manufacturer has been tweaking the Polo regularly with cosmetic and equipment upgrades to stay abreast with the competition. Volkswagen also tinkered with idea of hot hatches with Polo GT series.

The latest string of updates on the Polo has made the signature grille a tad bit wider and it gets a chrome accent on the lower slat. The rectangular front fascia continues with the same headlamps but an added chrome strip across the length of the bumper connecting the fog lamp housings gives it more character. The side profile as well as the tail gate is the same but the tail lamp has been slightly revised to make it look modern.

While the interior has been the same black and beige for a long time, the Polo cabin is one of the most pleasant ones in the lot. And with the regular equipment upgrades, the Polo now gets rain-sensing wipers, push-button start and electrically folding wing mirrors for the top-spec Highline trim. The Polo still remains the only hatchback to offer auto up and down functions for all four power windows. It gets height adjustable driver seat on the mid and top variants along with adjustable steering position.

On the safety front, Volkswagen offers dual front airbags and ABS as standard across all variants, being one of the first manufacturers to give preference to safety in India. The Polo GT with automatic gearbox gets ESP.

The Polo is offered with three engine options and three gearbox options. The 1.2-litre three cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine comes mated to a five-speed manual gearbox and develops 74bhp of power at 5400 rpm and 110Nm of torque. The 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol, the TSi, powers the Polo GT TSI and develops 103bhp of power at 5000rpm and 175Nm of torque from 1500rpm. The GT TSi gets a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox which drives the front wheels. The diesel engine is the 1.5-litre four cylinder turbo-diesel and is offered in two states of tune – 89bhp for the standard Polo and 103bhp for the Polo GT. Even the torque developed in the GT is 20Nm more than the 230Nm available in the standard state of tune. The diesel is mated to five-speed manual gearbox.

The Polo pitches itself in the premium hatchback segment competing with the Hyundai i20, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno and the Honda Jazz. With the other three being fairly new products, the Polo’s build quality, handling and performance makes it a formidable competitor.

Volkswagen Polo Mileage

Fuel Type                                 Transmission                          Mileage

Petrol                                        Manual                                      16.47 Kmpl

Petrol                                        Automatic                                 17.21 Kmpl

Diesel                                        Manual                                      20.52 Kmpl

Polo Specifications:

Engines

1198 cc, Petrol, 103 bhp @ 5000 RPM power

1498 cc, Diesel, 89 bhp @ 4200 RPM power

1498 cc, Diesel, 108 bhp @ 4400 RPM power

1198 cc, Petrol, 74 bhp @ 5400 RPM power

Gearboxes

5-speed, Manual, Front Wheel Drive

7-speed, Automatic, Front Wheel Drive

Seating Capacity

5 seater

Steering

Power steering

    

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz Review

The Ciaz sedan has been updated in September, 2015. While there are no changes to the petrol car, the diesel model is the first one to use the SHVS (Smart Hybrid Vehicle from Suzuki) technology. The mild hybrid version works in tandem with the diesel engine and further improves the fuel efficiency of the C-segment sedan.

The design of the Ciaz is based on the Suzuki Authentics concept which was showcased first at the 2014 Shanghai Motor Show in April and then shown in production form as the China-spec Alivio sedan. It gets an aggressive front fascia with a trapezoidal front grille that features ample amount of chrome. The sweptback headlights and the elongated hood further enhance its street presence. The side profile is a rather conservative affair but one that works for Maruti Suzuki. It features delicately flared wheel arches, chrome door handles and a strong shoulder line which works well with the forward leaning stance of the car.

At the rear, the Ciaz gets the standard wrap around tail lamps which lend the car a premium look. The rear bumper is large and includes integrated reflectors. There’s also a lip spoiler and chrome badges across all variants.

Inside, the Ciaz gets a simple and clutter-free design. The dashboard design is reminiscent of other Maruti models including the Ertiga and the Swift Dzire with its all-beige treatment. The car gets keyless entry and start, Aux-in, USB, Bluetooth streaming with telephony, automatic retract for the ORVMs, reversing camera and navigation system. It also gets a sunshade for the rear windscreen, which will be appreciated by occupants at the rear.

The integrated audio system is a touch screen unit – a segment first. The steering gets controls for the audio system and telephony controls on the left unlike the competition that has buttons spread on either sides. The faux-wood and aluminium inserts, light colour of the upholstery and plastics lend a bright and airy feel to the interior. In terms of safety, all but the base variant get ABS-EBD and front airbags. The base variant on the other hand has to make do with driver-side airbag.

The petrol versions of the Ciaz continue to use 1.4-litre K-series petrol engine producing 94bhp and 134Nm of torque. While there is no difference in the diesel engine either, it now gets Integrated Starter Generator (ISG), larger battery and braking energy recuperation. The larger battery is charged by the brakes, which help in engine start-stop, also the battery assists the crank in developing torque and takes some load of the engine. The Ciaz hybrid has ARAI rated efficiency of 28.09kmpl, making it the most efficient car in the country. The petrol model continues to return 20.73kmpl. The diesel engine comes coupled with the five-speed manual gearbox, the petrol on the other hand is available with a five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmission.

The Maruti Suzuki Ciaz puts up a strong case for itself when it comes to value for money. It competes with others C-segment vehicles such as the Honda City, Hyundai Verna, Volkswagen Vento and the Skoda Rapid among others.

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz Mileage

Fuel Type                              Transmission                                Mileage

Petrol                                     Automatic                                       19.12 Kmpl

Petrol                                     Manual                                             20.73 Kmpl

Diesel                                     Manual                                             28.09 Kmpl

Ciaz Specifications:

Engines

1248 cc, Diesel, 89 bhp @ 4000 RPM power

1373 cc, Petrol, 91 bhp @ 6000 RPM power

Gearboxes

4-speed, Automatic, Front Wheel Drive

5-speed, Manual, Front Wheel Drive

Seating Capacity

5 seater

Steering

Power steering

Maruti Suzuki S-Cross Review

Maruti Suzuki had introduced their first crossover SUV, the S-Cross, in India back in 2014. The first Maruti to be launched with the first 1.6-litre Multijet engine, the S-Cross managed to hang on to its wings in a segment that prefers macho styling. With its mid-life update in 2017, the S-Cross has gained some visual brawn but lost its bite - the 1.6-litre diesel.

The S-Cross still carries forward the crossover looks, but the meek front grille has been replaced by an aggressive vertically slatted one. The headlamps also have become aggressive with the blacked out bodies and LED DRLs. The front bumpers have been tweaked to match the aggression. The profile retains the same crossover hatchback look and the tail design has also been carried forward almost identically.

The interior continues to be black and spacious. The S-Cross doesn’t seem that big from the outside, but inside, it is quite roomy. Three people can sit comfortably in the back even with two six-footers seated up front. And then comes the ample boot space of the S-Cross. The premium crossover gets automatic climate control, 8-inch touchscreen display, steering mounted audio control and power windows. It gets dual front airbags as standard along with ABS and EBD.

The 2017 Maruti Suzuki S-Cross is offered only with the 90bhp 1.3-litre Multijet diesel engine that develops 89bhp of power. The larger 118bhp 1.6-litre diesel that gave the S-Cross its character has been given a miss due to lack of demand. Instead, Maruti Suzuki has been developing a 1.5-litre diesel based on the Multijet platform and it might debut with the S-Cross in 2018.

he Maruti Suzuki S-Cross, with its smaller engine, now seems to be more of a competitor to the Vitara Brezza, Ford Ecosport, Honda WR-V and Tata Nexon rather than the Hyundai Creta and Renault Duster.

Maruti Suzuki S-Cross Mileage

Fuel Type                              Transmission                             Mileage 

Diesel                                     Manual                                        23.65 Kmpl

S-Cross Specifications:

Engines

1248 cc, Diesel, 89 bhp @ 4000 RPM power

Gearboxes

5-speed, Manual, Front Wheel Drive

Seating Capacity

5 seater

Steering

Power steering

 

Honda Accord Review

The all new Honda Accord that has come to India is the ninth generation car globally and is the flagship offering from the Japanese manufacturer. The Accord has made a comeback after a hiatus of a couple of years but is now a completely built unit and gets hybrid technology along with a new face and more equipment.

It is a new generation car and in spite of being all new, it is not radically different from the current car. The single thick slat chrome grille that now represents the family face sits in front of the large hood. The profile looks hunkered down and the missing millimetres in length cannot be made out. The new design with the LED daytime running lamps and tail lamps looks modern and contemporary.

The interior is nice and modern and gets a new dashboard with much lesser buttons to worry about. The infotainment system is touchscreen and gets GPS navigation along with Apple Car Play and Android Auto. The instrument console is also brand new and gets a few modern touches while keeping the binnacle of the cluster. In terms of comfort, it gets power seats in the front, a two-zone climate control and loads of other features including cruise control, lane change assist et al.

The safety is taken care of by dual front airbags, curtain airbags and side airbags. It also gets lane change assist along with ABS, EBD and a comprehensive ESP.

The powertrain is brand new with the 2.0-litre i-MMD four-cylinder petrol engine works in consonance with an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack to deliver over 190bhp power and 306Nm of torque. The hybrid powertrain is mated to a CVT to transmit power to the front wheels.

The Honda Accord competes with the Toyota Camry, the Skoda Superb and the Volkswagen Passat. While technically the prime competitor is the Camry Hybrid, the price tag pitches it against the Audi A3 and the Mercedes CLA. In case of the latter two, the Honda Accord offers much more except for the brand image.

Fuel Type                  Transmission                    Mileage

Petrol                         Automatic (CVT)                23.1 Kmpl

Accord Specifications:

Engines

1993 cc, Petrol, 212 bhp @ 6200 RPM power

Gearboxes

CVT-speed, Automatic (CVT), Front Wheel Drive

Seating Capacity

5 seater

Steering

Power steering

Honda BR-V Review

While Honda has been a formidable player in India for sedan, the SUV portfolio has had a lone member, the CR-V, for the longest time. With the BR-V coming in, Honda has added a compact SUV in its product line-up with an intent of capitalising on the ever-growing SUV demand in the country. Built on the Mobilio platform, the B-RV was first showcased at the Auto Expo 2016.

Except for the badge, the BR-V does not take any cues from its elder sibling, the CR-V. The looks are more in line with the Honda City with a thick chrome slat dominating the front grille. The rectangular double barrel headlamps are decked up high with the grille to give it the SUV stance. The front bumper gets a silver accent bash plate on its lower side and also houses the fog-lamps and a mesh grille. As you move to the sides, the brawn of the front fascia fuses into the flowing creases that remind you of the Mobilio with the signature kink behind the B-pillar. Black cladding skirts the BR-V from all sides adding butch to the crossover SUV. The tail is all new with horizontal tail lamps connected by the reflector strip, rear spoiler and a bash plate.

The BR-V seats seven just like the Mobilio. The third row is accessible and decently comfortable thanks to the adjustable second row seats. The cabin is dressed in black and looks good with its bits and pieces sourced from other Hondas like the City, Brio and the Jazz. The centre console gets a 2-DIN audio system with AUX, USB and Bluetooth inputs but misses out on the much expected touch-screen. It gets automatic climate control with separate blower for rear passengers and steering mounted audio controls. The three-pod instrument cluster gets the rev-counter at the left, the speedometer at the centre and a multi-function display embedded in the right-most dial.

The engine options being offered are the 1.5-litre Earth Dreams i-DTEC diesel engine and the proven 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine. The four-cylinder turbo-diesel is expected to rake in most of the numbers and develops 99bhp of power and 200Nm of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels through a six speed manual gearbox. The 1.5-litre i-VTEC is offered with a six-speed manual gearbox as well as a CVT automatic option. The 118bhp petrol engine develops 145Nm of torque. The diesel engine is expected to deliver 21.9kmpl while the petrol will give 15.4kmpl (ARAI).
The BR-V competes with the Hyundai Creta, the Renault Duster and Nissan Terrano. It does not get AWD option as in the Duster or in case of the Creta, lacks the touch of premium.

Fuel Type                     Transmission                            Mileage

Petrol                            Manual                                       15.39 Kmpl

Petrol                            Automatic                                   16 Kmpl

Diesel                             Manual                                       21.9 Kmpl

BR-V Specifications:

Engines

1498 cc, Diesel, 99 bhp @ 3600 RPM power

1497 cc, Petrol, 117 bhp @ 6600 RPM power

Gearboxes

CVT-speed, Automatic, Front Wheel Drive

6-speed, Manual, Front Wheel Drive

Seating Capacity

7 seater

Steering

Power steering

Hyundai Grand i10 Review

Hyundai India has continued with bringing in new products and the Hyundai Grand i10 has been updated as well. After its launch in 2013, the Hyundai Grand i10 turned out to hit the right spot in the Indian car market to become the highest selling Hyundai car in India. It also managed to surpass the Swift for a brief period with its frugal engines and value for money tag. The new Hyundai Grand i10 is a mid-life update.

The 2017 Grand i10 is a facelift and gets a fresh look with the restyled front and rear bumpers. The front grille has been completely redone and looks aggressive. The headlamps have been tweaked slightly and it now gets LED DRLs, though only on the higher trims. You also get thick rub strips on the side doors and the rear bumper gets a thick black applique giving it a cool look. It gets a new diamond cut alloy design as well.

The interior is done in beige and black and looks premium. While the top-spec trims gets a 7-inch touchscreen replete with Apple Car play and Android Auto, the mid-trim Sportz gets a 5 inch screen. The Asta trim gets climate control. The dash has been tweaked but the instrument console remains the same. The grand i10 is decently spacious and gets AC vents for the rear passengers as well. It also gets adjustable headrests in the back on the fully loaded Asta variant. Tinted glasses are standard along with front power windows, power steering and manual air conditioning. In terms of safety, it gets engine immobiliser, central locking and parking sensors. Driver airbag is standard while the higher variants get dual front airbags. ABS is restricted to the top-spec Asta trim only.

The Grand i10 gets the 1.2-litre Kappa engine that develops 81bhp of power and 114Nm and comes from the i20. The engine is mated to a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic gearbox and drives the front wheels. The 1.2-litre three-cylinder diesel engine continues under the hood with the 74bhp of power and 190Nm of torque. It also comes mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. The petrol engine feels powerful and peppy while the diesel engine needs to be revved to get the juice, but is excellent for city driving especially with the smooth torque curve.

The Hyundai Grand i10 is a B-segment hatchback and competes with the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Swift, Tata Bolt, Ford Figo, Nissan Micra and the petrol-only Honda Brio. It has the advantage of a robust feature list and affordable and widespread service network.

Hyundai Grand i10 Mileage

Fuel Type                  Transmission                    Mileage

Petrol                          Automatic                         17.49 Kmpl

Petrol                          Manual                              19.77 Kmpl

Diesel                         Manual                               24.95 Kmpl

Hyundai Creta Review

Since its launch back in 2015, Hyundai’s compact SUV, the Creta, has turned out to be a runaway success for the Korean carmaker. It was the highest selling compact SUV in 2016, and averages a healthy 8,000 units in sales every month. Built to take on the likes of the Renault Duster, Nissan Terrano, Ford EcoSport and the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza in India, the MY2017 Creta received a mild cosmetic as well as feature upgrade, in addition to two new trims – the E+ in 1.4-litre diesel and the SX+ dual tone in 1.6-litre in both diesel as well as petrol engines.

The Hyundai Creta looks like a smaller version of the Santa Fe SUV with a hexagonal chrome grille and thick horizontal slats. It uses fluidic design sculpting with edgy lines compared to the rounded styling of the Santa Fe. It has a muscular stance with a wide bonnet, swept back headlamps, blacked out air-dam and innovative vertical fog-lamps with black surrounds. The side profile of the Creta is also similar to that of the Santa Fe, which means the stance is forward-leaning with flared-wheel arches. The rear roofline tapers as it connects with the tail lamps. At the rear, the South Korean automaker has given the Creta a vertically stacked design with each part appearing like a separate section. The first part goes from the spoiler to the base of glass while the second section is from a ridge line at the centre of the hatch door to just above the number plate slot.

Not everyone is going to like the rear profile at first glance, but it is very European and will grow on you in the long run. Hyundai has positioned the Creta as a premium car and the projector headlamps with DRLs, diamond-cut alloy-wheels, bold roof rails and liberal usage of chrome vouch for the same.

On the inside, the Creta´s layout is similar to that of the India-spec Verna sedan. However, where the Verna gets a typical beige interior, the Creta uses all black for a sporty look. The Creta is feature loaded, the top-spec variant gets auto headlamps and wipers, touch-screen music system, navigation, climate control, rear AC vents, keyless entry and a start-stop button. The majority of the line-up gets two airbags, while Hyundai has offered six airbags with the top-end version. Hyundai has used premium soft touch material for the dashboard and the top-end version gets leather seats with contrasting stitching. The rear bench offers enough knee room and headroom, but it is a little cramped when seating three passengers.

Engine wise, the Creta is available with the 1.6-litre petrol engine, along with two diesel engine options – the same 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre four cylinder units from the Verna. The 1.6-litre VTVT petrol engine produces 121bhp and 155Nm of torque powering the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. The 1.4-litre diesel uses the same five-speed gearbox and develops 89bhp and 220Nm of torque. The top-spec versions gets the 1.6-litre CRDi engine good to produce best in class 126bhp and 260Nm, which is available with six-speed manual and six-speed automatic transmission. The ARAI efficiency figures of the 1.6 petrol, 1.4 diesel and 1.6 diesel MT and AT are 15.29kmpl, 21.38kmpl, 19.67kmpl and 17.01kmpl respectively.

Hyundai Creta is available across 14 variants with two diesel, one petrol engine and two transmission options. There are seven colours to choose from, with two dual tone schemes as well. However, what with the Duster getting updated, the newly introduced Honda BR-V, the Maruti Vitara Brezza garnering widespread attention, the Creta faces some stiff competition in maintaining its position at the top of the compact SUV segment.

Hyundai Creta Mileage

Fuel Type                Transmission               Mileage

Petrol                       Automatic                     15.29 Kmpl

Petrol                       Manual                          15.29 Kmpl     

Diesel                       Manual                          21.38 Kmpl

Diesel                       Manual                          19.67 Kmpl

Diesel                      Automatic                       17.01 Kmpl

Hyundai Elite i20 Review

The Hyundai Elite i20 was one of the first premium hatchbacks launched in India and has been one of the most successful models for the Korean carmaker in India. Hyundai had launched the all-new i20 with a European influence to its fluidic design in 2013 and called it the Elite i20. Over the years, the Elite i20 received regular updates including projector headlamps, DRLs and a new touchscreen system amongst others.

The i20 now wears Hyundai’s new Fluidic v2.0 design theme and carries minimal resemblance to the old car styling wise. The Elite i20 seems to have moved up the ladder in terms of premium appeal and now mimics most of its European counterparts. The stance is forward leaning and thanks to the flared wheel arches the car now looks more modern and sportier than ever.

The front fascia gets a wide but compact air intake with mesh design. The grille is the biggest element in the front and gets chrome surrounds more in line with the one found in the Grand i10. The headlights have a swept back design to add to the sportiness of the overall combination of elements. The side profile is noticeable thanks to the strong shoulder line, silver door handles and the softly flared wheel arches.

A new design element that Hyundai appears to have integrated is the blacked out B-pillar and C-pillar that gives an impression of a floating roofline. The rear end gets long wraparound tail lamps, a big Hyundai logo in the centre and bumpers that accommodate the reverse lights and reflectors on either side.

The Elite i20 is feature rich from inside which is a norm for all Hyundai cars now. The cabin now looks better with the redesigned dashboard in beige-black combination. The Elite i20 gets all the features available on the old car with new additions like the steering adaptive parking assist, lane change indicator, in-built service reminder and rear air-con vents.

The three-spoke steering wheel gets integrated audio and Bluetooth controls. It gets height adjustable driver’s seat, 2-DIN touchscreen audio system, climate control system, cooled glovebox, cruise control, reverse parking assist, gear shift indicator and electro-chromatic rear view mirror. The top-end Asta features automatic headlights, rear wash and wipe, clutch lock and a second power outlet. The boot capacity at 285 litres is the second best in the segment after the Polo which has a capacity of 294 litres.

The Elite i20 gets the same petrol and diesel engines from the previous car. The petrol is a four-cylinder 1.2-litre Kappa engine producing 83bhp and 113Nm of torque mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. Recently, Hyundai also added a petrol automatic with the 1.4-litre petrol engine mated to a five-speed torque converter gearbox. The diesel variant is powered by the 1.4-litre CRDI mill churning out 89bhp and 219Nm of torque mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.

The Hyundai Elite i20 competes against the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, the Honda Jazz and the Volkswagen Polo in the premium B+ hatchback segment in the Indian car market.

Hyundai Elite i20 Mileage

Fuel Type                         Transmission                             Mileage

Petrol                 Manual                     18.8 Kmpl                           

Diesel                 Manual                      22.54 Kmpl

Elite i20 Specifications Summary

Engines

1368 cc, Petrol, 99 bhp @ 6000 RPM power

1197 cc, Petrol, 82 bhp @ 6000 RPM power

1396 cc, Diesel, 89 bhp @ 4000 RPM power

Gearboxes

4-speed, Automatic, Front Wheel Drive

5-speed, Manual, Front Wheel Drive

6-speed, Manual, Front Wheel Drive

Seating Capacity

5 seater

Steering

Power steering