Hyundai i20 1.2 Petrol

The i20’s wide stance and prominent nose really stand out and, as it drives past, you notice the strong character lines on its flanks, which adds to the tautness of the shape. Another standout feature is the large fog lamps housed in prominent blisters on the lower bumper. Perhaps Hyundai’s designers were so caught up with the front that they ran too close to the deadline as far as the rear is concerned.

The end result is a very generic rear, which does gel with the rest of the design, but doesn’t stand out. The build quality is noticeable the moment you grab the chunky door handles to open and shut the nicely weighted doors. This is indicative of a car that can last well for years on our roads.

The i20’s mechanical layout follows the absolute supermini standard with MacPherson struts suspending the front end and a torsion beam axle at the back, damped by gas-charged shock absorbers all round. Electric power assistance for steering is about the most radical item on the spec list and makes this the first Hyundai in India to get it. All versions of the i20 ride on 14-inch rims but tyre sizes vary. The base version (Magna) gets steel wheels shod with 175/70 R14 rubber, the higher-end Asta (pictured) gets a 185/65 footprint.