Test drive of the Hyundai i20 1.0 T-GDI 100 CV DCT, small but with a lot to offer

The Hyundai i20 we tested with the three-cylinder petrol engine with 100 CV, is one of those honest cars that puts its cards on the table from the very first moment and shows everything it is capable of, but its simplicity makes us like it more with every kilometre.

We took the wheel of the Hyundai i20 1.0 T-GDI 100 CV with DCT dual-clutch automatic gearbox and the driving sensations surprised us very positively. If you are looking for a comfortable, fun city car with an automatic gearbox and, above all, very sensible… keep reading this test.

Design: light restyling, same essence

A year ago the Hyundai i20 received some exterior changes while keeping its design essence intact. Among the changes, the new front grille (which follows the identity hallmark of the Korean manufacturer) and the new rear bumper stand out. At the rear it also debuts LED lights and new exterior colours such as the one on our test unit.

The interior design receives no changes: a simple interior, but with everything neat and in its place. In interiors one must consider not only how spectacular they are, but how those spectacular elements will age and whether all those innovations are useful in daily use. Hyundai has always stood out for simple but practical interiors, with everything in its place and good fit and finish.

In this Hyundai i20 there are no soft plastics or flashy finishes but, in return, the fit and finish throughout the interior are more than correct and the logical layout of the controls lets you get used to the car in just minutes. The front seats are spacious and the driving position is comfortable. It stands out for rear-seat space (partly thanks to the huge wheelbase) and in general it is a roomy car (more than other models in the segment). Its boot with 326 litres is adequate and it has a double-bottom load tray, handy for storing small items beneath it.

Engine and performance: 100 CV, lively and pushed by the turbo

If you want an automatic Hyundai i20, the only option is the 1.0 T-GDI 100 CV petrol engine, in fact, the current i20 range is only available with petrol engines, with a choice between a naturally aspirated unit and the turbocharged three-cylinder. In terms of performance, it is obviously not a sports car, but it pleasantly surprised us. This almost one-litre engine, with three cylinders and turbo, is genuinely performance-oriented: you only need to press the accelerator to feel it rev up, giving its best up to 5,000 rpm.

So much so that with the car loaded with four adults, it has no trouble cruising with some enthusiasm on country roads or motorways, responding nimbly to throttle inputs, while producing a curious sound that blends the three cylinders with a sporty touch as it climbs the rev range. The maximum torque of 172 Nm is available from 1,500 to 4,000 rpm, a good usable range.

The DCT dual-clutch automatic gearbox is extremely smooth, although when pulling away it cannot fully soften the nervous character of three-cylinder engines at low speeds. It has a Sport mode and manual sequential shifting across its seven gears. Unlike other gearboxes, its main premise is smoothness, though it also stands out for efficiency and speed; it is not common for a general-purpose city car to have a gearbox this precise in its range.

Handling: stable and even fun

The i20’s handling can be somewhat contradictory, on one hand, if we drive calmly and smoothly, the engine and gearbox respond gently (except when pulling away, where it is not especially smooth, but that is typical of three-cylinder engines), and even if we are careful with the throttle, fuel consumption will be quite reasonable.

But if we want a bit of fun, this little three-cylinder surprises a lot. It is not afraid of a mountain pass full of bends, and its engine works hard so that every one of those 100 CV reaches the wheels, allowing a certain degree of fun. It stands out for stability, dynamism and predictable responses on more demanding roads.

I am not saying it is a precursor of the Hyundai i30N, but it does offer a good response that few three-cylinder city cars have. And the combination of gearbox and engine is recommended for those seeking greater comfort behind the wheel.

Fuel consumption

Although diesel engines are no longer available in the Hyundai i20, the petrol engines fill the gap perfectly, since in terms of consumption the figures we obtained with our test of the i20 100 CV automatic have been very reasonable. In relaxed motorway driving the average consumption was 6.2 litres per 100 km, while in mixed driving with urban use the figure rises to 7.2 litres per 100 km.

Equipment: complete from the base trim

The equipment of the Hyundai i20 starts with the “ESSENCE” trim, which already includes multiple airbags, stability control, emergency braking assist, active head restraints, audio system with radio, USB and Aux connection and 2 speakers, Bluetooth, 15-inch steel wheels, among other features.

The next level, “ESSENCE LE“, adds notable items such as the leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob, a 7-inch colour touchscreen radio, Android Auto and CarPlay connectivity, a fast-charging USB port, light sensor, rear-view camera, among others.

The “ESSENCE LX” also adds 16-inch alloy wheels, two-tone roof, tinted windows, among others. The next level is “TECNO LE“, which provides front fog lights and LED daytime running lamps, rear electric windows, six speakers and lane change alert system.

Finally, only with the 120 CV petrol engine, there is the “STYLE” trim with a specific grille, sunroof, integrated navigation system, parking sensors, push-button start, autonomous emergency braking system AEB (vehicle and pedestrian detection), driver fatigue detection, active lane departure prevention system and active high-beam system.

The trim of our model with the 100 CV engine, the “TECNO LE“, is more than sufficient for a city car like this Hyundai i20, highlighting the performance of the multimedia system (especially the sound from its six speakers) and the connectivity it offers.

Opinion and price of the Hyundai i20

The starting price of a Hyundai i20 Essence 75 CV petrol is 10,695 euros (with current discounts), while our unit with the automatic gearbox and the most complete trim has a final price of 15,965 euros (with current discounts), a more than reasonable price for a car that performs perfectly not only in the city but also makes comfortable longer journeys possible.

The i20 is a very decent option in the city car segment. It is not a car that excels at anything in particular, but over the days we realise its scope is very broad. It is well equipped, its dual-clutch gearbox is very smooth, the engine is performance-oriented for only having 100 CV and being a three-cylinder, and it also has a chassis that holds its own on demanding roads.

Photos | Test team

Technical specifications of this car

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