02/04/2002
Hyundai i20: The Automatic Option
The Hyundai i20 has long been a strong contender in the premium hatchback segment, frequently compared against rivals such as the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, Honda Jazz, and Volkswagen Polo. Following a mid-life facelift revealed at the 2018 Indian auto expo, Hyundai introduced a highly anticipated feature that had been absent since the facelift: an automatic gearbox. Previously, the pre-facelift i20 offered an automatic transmission paired with its more potent 1.4-litre engine. However, with the updated model, Hyundai has streamlined its petrol engine options, now offering an automatic transmission on the standard 1.2-litre engine. Crucially, this new automatic is not a conventional torque converter but rather a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).
Petrol Power with CVT Convenience
It's important to note that only the petrol variant of the Hyundai i20 is available with an automatic gearbox. Despite the growing popularity of diesel automatics, Hyundai has not yet introduced this option for the i20. The powertrain remains consistent with the manual version: a 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol engine. This unit produces a respectable 82 bhp of peak power and 115 Nm of peak torque. The transmission, as mentioned, is a CVT, which includes a manual override or tiptronic mode, offering a degree of driver control.
Urban Driving Dynamics
The Hyundai i20 has always excelled in urban environments, largely due to its light steering and user-friendly driving characteristics. The addition of the CVT significantly enhances this experience. Power delivery is impressively smooth, and typical of CVT systems, the car accelerates briskly from a standstill. This makes navigating city traffic a more relaxed and enjoyable affair.
Understanding CVT Downsides
However, like all CVTs, this system is not without its drawbacks. The characteristic "rubber band effect," where engine revs rise disproportionately to vehicle speed, is present and arguably more noticeable than one might prefer. While the Hyundai i20 automatic performs admirably at quarter or half throttle, offering good response and decent mid-range power, pushing the accelerator pedal hard can lead to a somewhat noisy experience. The engine revs tend to hover around the 5,500 RPM mark. While this might sound like the engine is working very hard, the increased noise doesn't always translate into a proportional increase in performance on the road.
The Benefit of Manual Mode
The inclusion of a manual mode can help mitigate some of the CVT's less desirable traits. By shifting the gear selector to the right while in 'D' (Drive), you activate the tiptronic mode. This allows you to manually select gears by pulling the lever back to downshift and pushing it towards the dashboard to upshift. While the mid-range performance is more than adequate for everyday driving, exceeding 5,500 RPM, even in manual mode, offers little tangible benefit. Hyundai's 1.2-litre petrol engine is designed for refined and calm driving rather than aggressive revving. The CVT, in many ways, amplifies this characteristic. Nevertheless, the gearbox delivers incredibly seamless shifts when driven sedately, so much so that an inattentive driver might not even notice when a gear change occurs.
Variant Breakdown: Magna and Asta
The Hyundai i20 CVT automatic is offered in two distinct variants: the Magna and the Asta. It's worth noting that the manual transmission variants offer more choice, with higher-spec Asta (Dual Tone) and Asta (Optional) trims available. The CVT, however, is limited to the standard Asta variant, which represents the top specification within the CVT lineup. This means the Asta CVT misses out on a few features found in the Asta (Optional) manual variant. While these missing features are not essential, they would have been welcome additions.
Features Comparison: What You Gain and Miss
Key features that are absent on the Asta CVT compared to the Asta (Optional) manual include projector headlamps with integrated LED daytime running lights (DRLs). Instead, the CVT features DRLs integrated into the bumper, located just below the fog lamps. Many find these bumper-integrated DRLs to be quite stylish. You also miss out on automatic headlamps and cornering lights. The wheels are also different; the Asta CVT comes with 15-inch dark grey alloy wheels, whereas the optional package offers larger 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels. Inside, the Asta CVT omits features such as a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob, and the convenience of smart keyless entry with a push-button start-stop system.
Safety Considerations
More critically, the Asta CVT is equipped with only two airbags, a significant difference compared to the six airbags found in the Asta (Optional) manual variant. The CVT also omits ISOFIX child seat mounts on the rear seats and adjustable seatbelts for front passengers, which are important safety features for families with young children.
Pricing and Competitive Landscape
Priced between approximately Rs 7.04 lakh and Rs 8.16 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), the Hyundai i20 automatic positions itself against its primary rivals. The Honda Jazz CVT is priced between Rs 7.71 lakh and Rs 8.47 lakh, while the highly popular Maruti Baleno CVT ranges from Rs 7.10 lakh to Rs 8.41 lakh. The Hyundai i20 does have a slight pricing advantage, undercutting its rivals by around Rs 30,000 at the higher end. However, it's crucial to consider the feature set. While the Honda Jazz, like the i20, doesn't offer a higher-spec automatic variant, the Maruti Baleno does provide a fully loaded Alpha variant with all the desirable features. Despite these differences in specification, the Hyundai i20, even in its current form, presents a compelling package. The introduction of the CVT option undeniably strengthens the i20 family, reinforcing its status as a benchmark in the premium hatchback segment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Does the Hyundai i20 have an automatic gearbox?
Yes, the Hyundai i20 is available with an automatic gearbox, specifically a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), on its petrol variants.
Q2: Which engine is paired with the automatic gearbox in the i20?
The automatic gearbox is paired with the 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol engine.
Q3: What type of automatic transmission does the i20 use?
The i20 uses a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with a manual override tiptronic mode.
Q4: Are there diesel automatic variants of the Hyundai i20?
Currently, Hyundai does not offer a diesel automatic version of the i20.
Q5: What are the main downsides of the i20's CVT?
The primary downsides are the noticeable "rubber band effect" and increased engine noise when accelerating hard, without a proportional increase in performance.
Q6: Which variants of the i20 come with the CVT?
The CVT is available in the Magna and Asta variants. The Asta variant is the top-spec trim for the CVT model.
Q7: What key features does the Asta CVT miss compared to the Asta (Optional) manual?
It misses projector headlamps with LED DRLs, 16-inch alloy wheels, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob, smart keyless entry with push-button start, six airbags, ISOFIX mounts, and adjustable front seatbelts.
Q8: How does the i20 automatic's pricing compare to its rivals?
The i20 automatic is generally priced slightly lower than its main competitors, the Honda Jazz CVT and Maruti Baleno CVT, offering a competitive value proposition.
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