Hyundai i20 Active

The hatchback-based crossover segment is slowly metamorphosing and the recent launches in this division imply the immense potential it has. Hyundai i20 Active is the Korean car maker’s first hatchback-based crossover for the Indian market, which is conceived based on the company’s immensely popular premium hatchback, i20.
While it retains the DNA that i20 embodies, tweaks made are confined to cosmetic changes on the outside, minor interior revisions (excluding the equipment list) and insignificant mechanical updates. Exterior styling additions include matte grey cladding on the base of the car, faux skid plates, roof rails, redesigned alloy wheels, reworked bumpers in front/rear/ round fog lights, projector head lights with DRLs/cornering lights, new fuel filler lid and glossy black C-pillar. Cabin features a blue/black dual-tone interior scheme for light exterior shades and an all-black colour scheme for darker exterior shades. Safety features have been carried forward as it is from the regular i20. The crossover’s range includes two petrol and three diesel variants. Engine configuration comprises the same 1.2-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine along with the 1.4-litre CRDi diesel motor powering the standard i20. Ground clearance has been raised by 20 mm to 190 mm and minor gearing changes (6% for petrol and 11% for diesel variants) have also been bestowed for improved bottom-end responses.

As evident in the Hyundai i20 Active pictures below, the fundamental exterior design remains unchanged; additions have been made in terms of exterior styling, which renders a sportier look to the crossover. The nose features redesigned radiator black grille with chrome accents flanked by the restyled projector head lights with integrated LED daytime running lights, positioning lamps and cornering lamps.
The base model features halogen head lamps instead of the projector lights equipped in the mid- and high-end trims. Revised dual-tone front bumper features round fog lights and air intake. Matte grey body cladding on the side and wheel arch looks rugged. Body-coloured outside rear view mirrors get turn indicators and can be adjusted as well as folded electrically. The ORVMs also get auto folding and welcome function (exclusive to the top-end version). The base- and mid-level trims feature body-coloured outside door handles while chrome door handles are restricted to the high-end variant. The rear is marked by a dual-tone read bumper and a rear roof spoiler with HMSL. Other significant exterior features equipped on i20 Active include roof rails, skid plated in on the front and rear, unique fuel cap, B pillar black out tape, C pillar black out tape, waistline black moulding, alloy wheels, and micro antenna.

The cabin features tangerine orange interior colour pack available in dark exterior shades and aqua blue interior colour package offered on the light-coloured exterior shades. Leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob are available exquisitely on the top-end variants.
Utility features embedded in the cabin include front and rear door map pockets, front passenger seat back pocket, rear parcel tray and sunglasses holder. Instrument panel and centre fascia display feature blue interior illumination, dual tripmeter, tachometer, digital clock, warning indicators for gear shift, low fuel, door and tailgate ajar, immobilizer, and driver seatbelt reminder. Features exclusive to the top-of-the-line variant include advanced supervision cluster comprising of steering position reminder, service reminder, parking sensor display and lane change indicator setting. Other than these, the auto-unlock function and IC light adjustment features are also bestowed on the high-end trims. For a comfortable cabin experience, Hyundai has employed seat-adjustable headrest in front seats, height adjuster for the driver’s seat, integrated rear seat headrest and front centre console armrest with storage. Adjustable rear seat headrest and 60:40 split rear seats are the explicit range-topping interior fitments. Hyundai equips its vehicles well when it comes to comfort and i20 Active falls in the same line with standard equipment available across the range, including power windows in front/rear, timelag, switch illumination driver side, auto up-down (driver only), pinch guard (driver only), manual air conditioning, electric power steering, rear AC vents, glove box cooling, clutch footrest, passenger vanity mirror, ticket holder, power outlet, theatre dimming central room lamp, front map lamp, intermittent variable front wiper, lane change indicator, luggage lamp and battery saver. The vital comfort features, such as push button start/stop, fully automatic air conditioning with cluster ionizer, tilt and telescopic steering, second power outlet and rear wiper, and washer are proffered only in the top-end trims. From the entertainment section, a 2-DIN integrated radio/MP3 player/AUX/USB, CD player on audio, 1 GB internal memory, front and rear speakers, tweeters, Bluetooth connectivity, and steering-mounted audio and bluetooth controls are fitted in the cabin.

The engine set up is similar to the regular i20, which offers a 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder, DOHC petrol engine with dual VTVT technology and a 1.4-litre, 4-cylinder DOHC diesel power train. The petrol motor is good with the top power of 83 PS at 6000 RPM along with top torque of 11.7 kgm at 4000 RPM. The diesel engine, on the other hand, can engender pinnacle power and torque of 90 PS at 4000 RPM and 22.4 kgm torque between 1500 to 2750 RPM, respectively. Hyundai i20 Active transmission option comprises of a five-speed manual gearbox mated to the petrol engine and a six-speed manual tranny synchronized to the diesel variants.

Fuel economy delivered by the petrol-powered i20 Active stands at 17 kmpl. On the other hand, fuel efficiency returned by the diesel engine i20 Active is claimed to be 21.19 kmpl.

At the front, disc brakes are equipped, which work in sync with the drum brakes fitted at the rear. Standard safety fitments include central locking for doors and tailgate, smart pedal, escort function for head lights, keyless entry with foldable key, immobilizer, and dual horn. Safety equipment available in the mid- and high-end trims comprise driver airbag, anti-lock-braking system, front fog lights, impact-sensing auto door unlock, electrochromic inside rear-view mirror and rear defogger. Features such as co-passenger airbag, automatic head lights, clutch lock and keyless entry via smart key are incorporated in the range-topping trim.

Since the engine output in i20 Active remains unaltered, the performance is largely similar to the regular i20 hatchback. That said, the minor mechanical upgrade includes slight change in gearing. The gearing capability has been improved by 6% in the petrol engine while the diesel power train proffers 11% better gearing. This, in turn, results in better bottom-end responses. Handling is also among one of the positives of the crossover; however, the steering isn’t as playful as it should have been.