2014 ET ZigWheels Awards: Hatchback of the Year Hyundai Elite i20

Possibly one of the most important categories of the ET ZigWheels Awards, the hatchback of the year is the one that affects the most number of car users in the country. This year though, there was one particular car that stood shoulders over the competition to win both this category and of course, the prestigious ‘Car of the Year’ category.

The new Hyundai elite i20 delivers in a broad spectrum of areas - styling, features, comfort and quality, it has it all. As we mentioned, the Elite i20 is also one of the more expensive cars in its segment but the features the car comes with, the high quality materials and premium design it sports justify the higher price.

Hyundai has also taken giant strides in improving the i20’s driving dynamics from its predecessor. Both the petrol and diesel engines are smooth, refined and adequately powerful and the gearboxes offers great feedback coupled with an easy to use and light clutch. Top that up with generous amounts of interior space for a hatchback and the Elite i20 becomes the benchmark for all future premium hatchbacks that will be launched in India. 

The premium hatchback segment has suddenly sprung to life in 2014, mainly fuelled by the Hyundai i20 and it will continue to only grow. With bigger and better hatchbacks than ever before in the pipeline by manufacturers like Maruti and Honda in 2015, the Elite i20 will have its work cut out for it. That said, considering how the i20 has managed to impress us, we don’t think its position at the top of the heap will be threatened anytime soon.