Key highlights
- Next-gen Hyundai i20 digitally unveiled in Brazil
- Undergoes a substantial design and technology update
- Mechanically unaltered
Hyundai has released the first set of official images of the fourth-gen i20. The new-gen i20 is also headed to India in the coming months. Know every detail about it below.
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Next-gen Hyundai i20: Everything you should know about it
Major exterior design update
The biggest update on the new-gen i20 is seen in its design inside-out. The exterior, specifically, has undergone a major design shift, which may look polarising initially.
The front fascia now gets a sharper design with a sleek LED daytime running light band connecting the new dual-pod LED headlamps. The front bumper has been redesigned as well, as the grille is now positioned a little low, and it gets separated via a silver-garnished plate.
The side profile is where it all starts to look different. It gets the new dual-tone alloys that are inspired by the Ioniq series, a big glass area, new wider mirrors, and an upswept rear window design that merges with the rear quarter panel. The latter looks inspired by the Ioniq models, and it distinguishes the new-gen i20 completely from the current model. It also gets a rugged cladding all around the body, which reminds us of the i20 Active.
Moving to the back, the big raked windshield is supported by a new boot that has an LED light band connecting the new C-shaped triangular LED taillights. Now we have not seen the car in person, but this specific design is surely going to be either a hit or a miss among customers. To complement the new rear design, a muscular bumper with an in-built diffuser-like design is fitted.
Interior design update
Leaving the exterior aside, the interior is where buyers will spend most of their time, and it has been completely overhauled. By overhauled, we mean “nicely” redesigned. You are welcomed by a light-coloured dual-tone theme of the cabin, and the first glance of the dashboard shows the next-gen design philosophy of the brand.
It gets a sloping dashboard design with a curved connected display, which holds the new infotainment system and the new driver’s console together. The new three-spoke steering wheel has been carried over from the Ioniq 5, as it gets the mounted physical controls.
Interestingly, the car still has a lot of physical buttons – something rare these days. Accentuating it is the new vertical AC control panel design, which has been placed in portrait style. It is supported by vertical AC vents on both sides.
Hyundai has also redone the seats, which look comfortable in the photos, but have yet to be tested by us. Meanwhile, the door panels now feature a new oval door handle design and oval speaker design that merges nicely into the big door pockets.
Modern features loaded
Hyundai is known to load its new cars with segment-first features. Although the exact feature list is yet to be unveiled, we can see the modern bits all around. The Brazilian-spec car gets the new infotainment system, which we suspect will be based on the Pleos infotainment software. It also gets the new digital console UI, which is similar to the one we saw on the Ioniq 3 recently.
Meanwhile, the car gets the 60:40 split seats, leather upholstery, a wireless charging pad, fast charging ports at the front, rear AC vents, auto climate control, SOS button, rear wiper and washer with defogger, etc. However, this model misses out on some important features like the sunroof, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, etc. We think it is because of the Brazilian spec that it misses out on these features.
Engine specs
The fourth-gen i20 will not feature an engine or gearbox update. It is likely to be powered by the current engine options in India, which are as follows:
- 1.2-litre, four-cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol engine, 84 bhp and 114.7 Nm, 5-speed manual or IVT automatic gearbox options.
- 1.0-litre, three-cylinder, TGDI turbo petrol engine, 118 bhp and 172 Nm, 6-speed manual or a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox options.
When will the next-gen Hyundai i20 launch in India?
The fourth-gen i20 is likely to be revealed in Brazil first. However, the Indian-spec model will be slightly different from it, as it is supposed to get kitted-up with more bells and whistles for the domestic market needs. We believe that the Indian-spec new-gen i20 will be launched by the end of this year.
