Hyundai Elite i20: 1,000km Long Term Review

It’s been quite a busy week this last one. And it has demanded a lot of travelling on the highway as well as in the city. The Hyundai Elite i20 has been a very peaceful companion through all of it. The start of the long term tenure with the new Elite i20 couldn’t have come at a better time as I already had a few errands planned in Nashik and Pune. 

The 1.4-litre diesel mill of the Elite i20 is not only refined, but also absolutely easy to live with. In fact, it felt at home even when we drove at three-digit speeds on the highways. A little more feedback from the steering wheel would have worked wonders in making the car a lot more fun to drive though. The tall ratios of the six-speed gearbox can be a little arduous when driving in slow moving traffic, but it’s simply a matter of getting used to. I guess that’s the price you pay for gaining better efficiency. 

But, before someone gets to the engine and performance of a car, what really catches the eye is its exterior design, and in that regard the Elite i20 is nothing short of gorgeous. The large swept back headlights, the honeycomb grille, the swooping roofline and of course the LED tail lamps, give it a premium look. In fact, the size and proportions also play their part in making the Elite i20 a head turner.

Looks aside, it is loaded with features to ease the overall driving experience. The reversing camera, the electronic anti-glare mirror inside the cabin and Bluetooth telephony make special contributions in that respect. The Elite i20 is as generous with space as it is with features. There is ample of leg and shoulder room to seat three adults at the back but thanks to the small window at the back, it might just feel a little claustrophobic. And then of course, there is the large 285-litre boot for someone who likes to carry his world with him. 

A week into its long term tenure and I have already spent enough time behind the wheel of the Elite i20 to say that the journey onboard for the next six months is surely going to be a relaxed one. 

Date Acquired: September 2014

Total km till date: 3,079km

Fuel consumed: 69.9 litres (Total distance: 1175km) 

Efficiency: 16.8kmpl (As tested)

Cheers: Looks, features

Sneers: No feedback from the steering 

Total Cost: Nil