By Malusi Msomi

Not to be mistaken for a full-on N model from Hyundai, the i20 N-Line is essentially a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol with a DCT but with some added sportiness thanks to a body kit and a two-tone paint. The i20 N-Line gets different wheels, more safety features and a rather cheeky exhaust sound.

Sporty exterior styling

In terms of appearance the i20 N Line comes standard with 16-inch wheels, a two-tone paint finish, a rear spoiler and a sportier front bumper. The i20 N Line is a good-looking piece of kit with its sharp body creases and angular LED head and tail lights that result in a sporty appearance. The chequered flag type grille drives the sporty look home.

Sporty interior styling

The cabin layout is pretty good and there’s plenty of niceties such as an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 3 x USB ports, rear air vents, and a wireless charging tray. The design of the i20 is a bit deceiving because it looks somewhat small on the outside but is quite spacious on the inside. The i20 N-Line offers a decent boot capacity of 311 litres  – good for a few medium sized suitcases and a few soft bags.

Performance

Powering the Hyundai i20 N-Line is a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that produces 89.5kW and 171Nm. It sends its power to the front wheels via a 7-speed DCT transmission. During our test period we experienced a bit of turbo lag at low speeds, but when it climbs higher up the rev band, it gets lively, making it easy to whizz around traffic and overtake with ease on the highway. Hyundai claims it will average 6.9 l/100km which is exactly what we averaged during our stint. Interestingly, when you pop it into sport the exhaust does make some cheeky pops on up-shifts. The ride is a tad stiff but handles Jozi highways and inner-city roads quite well.

Safety

When it comes to safety the i20 Line gets a rear-view camera with rear park sensors, driver and passenger airbags along with side and curtain airbags, ABS, ESC, and EBD.

Conclusion

The Hyundai i20 N-Line is priced at R419,900 and offers a decent cabin space, sporty looks, good ride quality, and a fun drive. There are other options like the Opel Corsa and VW Polo R-Line, but seems like Hyundai has got the upper hand in terms of price.