Hyundai’s new i20 hatchback is not a replacement for the popular Getz – it is more like a big brother. But perhaps because I have driven a Getz for nearly three years now, I could not help drawing comparisons.
The i20 comes with either a 1.4 motor or a 1.6, and we drove the latter for a few days. The sharp lines and striking appearance of the bright red test car drew a surprising amount of attention in parking lots and at fuel stations.
There’s definitely more space in the cabin and in the boot than is the case in the Getz, and while the little brother has a lively 1.4 motor putting out 70kW, it naturally cannot compete with the hefty 91kW of the 1.6 i20. The 1.4-litre motor of the i20 boasts 74kW. Getzes, by the way, are priced from R128 000 for the entry-level up to R162 000 for the powerful 1.5-litre diesel.
According to Hyundai the big brother i20 does 190km/h top speed compared to the 180 of the 1.4 i20; pulls off the 0-100km/h sprint in 9.5 seconds as against 11.6; and feels like the sportiest small Hyundai I have driven.
At just under R160 000 it also feels like a bargain.

Okay, so you don’t get alloy wheels. But there is a detailed onboard computer, giving such info as distance to empty, time travelled, instantaneous fuel consumption as well as average consumption (we saw as low as 7.2 litres’100km and as high as 8.6l/100km), a trip distance and outside temperature.
The spare is a full size wheel, there is anti-lock braking along with disc brakes all round, and you get air-con, electric windows (with a very useful auto up-AND-down function on the driver’s window) and such givens as power steering.
The audio system is impressive, and features radio/CD/MP3 with a six-speaker system and inputs for USB and iPod. There are remote audio controls on the sporty-looking steering wheel and the car scolds front occupants with an insistent beep if they fail to fasten their seat belts.
Even the remote-locking device has a solid feel to it, with a foldaway key.
In a few words, the i20 is packed with features for a car in this price range. And the 1.4-litre version seems to have as many goodies as the 1.6 so if you are content with 74kW against 91kW, you could save R10 000.
The i20 comes with a five-year/150 000km full manufacturer’s warranty. There is a three-year/60 000km service plan and service intervals are every 15 000km.

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