Cross Connection

The i20 Active is based on the car maker's best-selling car in the country today, the Elite. So it shares the same proportions, the same styling flare and the same desirability aspect of Zig Wheels' car of the year. But, because the Active sports a new, more rugged looking front bumper, cladding and roof rails, not to mention a pseudo bull bar. Skid plates and huge fog lamps, it looks way more purposeful than the regular i20 hatchback. Not just that, Hyundai has upped the practicality co-efficient by raising the ground clearance to 190mm. And lest we forget, we like the new design for the 16 inch wheels and that new fuel filler cap too! 

Not much has changed on the inside. The design elements continue unchanged. So, one gets the same dash, the same instrumentation and similar quality' as the Elite. And that's not a bad thing because the latter is already top of the class when it comes to interiors; be it the feeling of space, the numerous storage spaces, seating comfort or even space for that matter, the i20 leads the pack.

The equipment list is equally exhaustive. One gets everything from the top of the line Elite i20 on this, the i20 Active SX. So there's keyless entry and start, a multifunctional steering wheel, Bluetooth connectivity, a stereo with 1 GB internal memory, digital climate control and a reversing camera. It also gets automatic lights, ABS and air bags. Additionally, the i20 Active gets cornering lights and aluminum pedals. Yes, we know the latter doesn't really add to the driving experience in any way, but we like it for it looks cool.

Mechanically, The Active is similar to the Elite - chassis, suspension & brakes wheels. So, over poor roads, the Active is quiet and pliant and because of higher clearance, better equipped to handle abuse. It also remains an easy car to drive with light controls for the steering, clutch or gear operation, good visibility and all the parking help you can get in the form of a reversing camera and parking sensors.There's no change to the engine or gearbox line-up for the i20 Active either. The petrol is still the 87PS, 1.2-litre kappa, four cylinder VTVT engine mated to a 5-speed gearbox and the diesel continues to displace 1.4-litre and develop 90PS of max power. The diesel engine is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. There's no option of an automatic yet. 

The only difference, besides the Active being slightly heavier, is that it runs a shorter final drive. The idea, says Hyundai, was to make the car feel peppier to give it that sporty feel younger buyers crave for. Now, the diesel continues to feel pretty potent. Once you get past that turbo lag. It's also a reasonably free revving and refined engine for a diesel in its class. And the gear shift quality leaves little to be desired. 

And Elite, this too uses discs at the front and drums at the rear, unlike an all disc setup seen on the previous generation i20Hyundai has got it right with the i20 Active, be it styling differentiation, added practicality thanks to a higher ground clearance or more equipment to justify the increase in price. And to us, it has the potential to rise to the top in the 'cross' race. 

Published by   :  Zig Wheels

Words by   : Vikrant Singh