The term ‘price-conscious’ may be synonymous with Indian car buyers, but they have many a times proved that a slightly pricier offering by an automaker havinga proven track record, good brand value and a notable after-sales service also manages to tug their heartstrings.Quite evidently, Hyundai’s premium hatchback, the new Elite i20, is one such offering. The manufacturer is said to have sold more than 1,00,000 units in the 11 months since its launch.The India launch of the new Hyundai Elite i20, which took place in August last year, was also a preview for international markets.

The previous-generation i20 was the best seller in the premium hatchback segment and offered excellent features. The new Elite i20 took it ahead from there and it seems to have caught up with buyers very well.

When launched, prices for the base petrol i20 hatchback started at Rs 4.89 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) and went right up to Rs 7.67 lakh for the top-spec diesel variant. The i20 was well received, despite the top-spec variants sharing the same price point of entry-level mid-size sedans like the Honda City, as the car proved its mettle with a spacious and premium cabin, lots of features with impressive overall refinement, while being fuel efficient too. It gave the ‘price-conscious’ Indian buyer his money’s worth.

The Elite i20 featured Hyundai's new design language and came loaded with features and equipment. Top-of-the-line trim got automatic headlamps, reversing camera, dual airbags, ABS, rear air-con vents, electrically-folding wing mirrors, climate control and keyless entry.

Hyundai is anything but slowing down on crossing this 1,00,000-unit sales milestone. Efforts are being made to offer more competitive features. Hyundai will soon startoffering its i20 with atouchscreen infotainmentsystem. The factory-installedsystem will include satellitenavigation as well as Bluetooth and telephonefunctions.This is to competewith the new Honda Jazz,which launches next month and will also be offering a touchscreen infotainment system.

Moreover, the i20 is a regular in the list of top 10 highest-selling cars every month. Sales of the Elite i20 and i20 Active combinedcrossed the 10,000 mark for a fourth consecutive month in May and have sold 55,376 units since January 2015.

So, with better equipment on offer with a host of other features, the i20 has been able to entice buyers while continuing to be a value-for-money proposition. But will it continue to rake in numbers with the launch of its rival, the Honda Jazz early next month?That will be interesting to find out.