The i20 model with the attribute N is another sharp tool from the portfolio of the South Korean car manufacturer Hyundai. After the now legendary i30 N and the new Kona N, this automaker presented us with the smallest representative from its sports division.
We already have quite a lot of experience with the announced "Enko" thirty. Whether it was a classic hatchback or fastback, whether the car was equipped with a classic manual or the recently introduced automatic, the 30 simply never let us down and a week spent with this car always meant a huge supply of driving pleasure. The sporty Kona N passed our editorial test quite recently and also performed excellently.
With the i20 N model, the sports division has currently moved into a segment in which it is not so complicated with the competition. In addition, the car is inspired by the i20 Coupé WRC rally racing special, which celebrated many successes in previous years.
Exterior
The new generation i20 came with a sufficiently bold and dynamic cut. Its voluminous mask, sharply shaped headlights or distinctive wedge-shaped side profile are all elements that form an excellent basis for the currently tested "enko" version.
The exterior concept of the i20 N takes the sporty character of this car a significant step further. Both the front and rear parts have been redesigned. The car is now dominated by a differently articulated mask, a distinctive rear spoiler, sill extensions, a diffuser and there is also a "dense" chrome exhaust tip. The overall sporty character is underlined by very decent 18" wheels.
The smallest "enko" looks very good in terms of external design, the lowered chassis, the two-tone combination and the above-mentioned elements give the car enough of a sporty character.
Interior
The interior of the model 20 is clear and has good internal ergonomics. The presence of harder and cheap-looking plastics is quite expected in the context of the segment in which we operate.
The dashboard of the tested Premium equipment immediately offers two displays of the same size with a diagonal of 10.25". Their graphic design and environment is traditionally at a very good level. In the case of the N version, the on-board infotainment display is expanded with information that monitors, for example, overload, pressure on the brake pedal, or you can monitor individual lap times here.
The 20-something then took over the sports steering wheel from its bigger sibling, i.e. the i30 N model. To the pleasant proportions and shape, let's add two new blue "N" buttons and a red "REV" button.
The left button activates the sharp N mode, under the right button you can select one of the preset functions, ideally your personalized car mode. The magic red REV button activates or deactivates the automatic intermediate throttle function.
The shift lever itself and its backdrop are traditionally excellently tuned. The ball head fits perfectly in the hand, the gearing mechanism modeled after the larger 30 offers short and precise paths. We must not forget the presence of the classic handbrake in the central tunnel, a very welcome thing in this car.
The new generation of the 20s has a sufficiently spacious interior. Its spaciousness reigns comfortably even in the rear positions. As part of the front ones, the i20 N is equipped with sports seats that offer a certain compromise between comfortable travel and sufficient posture.
The "Enkov" twenty has no support in the luggage compartment, so its dimensions will offer a respectable 352 liters of volume.
Offered motorizations and driving impressions
Under the hood of the smallest "enka", an exclusively turbocharged 16-cylinder T-GDI gasoline engine with direct fuel injection and variable valve timing moved in. Its supercharging is provided by a redesigned turbocharger with a new intercooler. The i20 N will thus offer 150 kW (204 hp) of power, which it reaches at 5,500 revolutions per minute. The torque will be 275 Nm at 1750 revolutions per minute.
The supercharged 16-liter has a very continuous pull, which comes with a limit of three thousand revolutions. The performance of the engine is of course more than sufficient for a car weighing around 1.2 tons. Acceleration to 100 km/h is managed by the i20 N in 6.2 seconds.
In the case of the "Enko" 20, the motorization is connected only with a six-speed manual, which was adapted and specifically strengthened for the needs of this car. It is therefore ready for higher engine speeds, and especially for the Launch-Control function.
The sporty twenty-something is equipped with five driving modes. So the menu includes the classic trio of Eco, Normal and Sport. We also have the traditional sharp N mode and the Custom mode, which can be used to adjust the behavior of the car. So in Custom mode you have the option to change the response from the engine, steering, ESC, exhaust sound or automatic throttles. The variety of settings is clearly visible on the car, although thanks to the absence of adaptive dampers, it is not as wide as its sibling i30 N.
The powerful engine and strengthened transmission are successfully seconded by the improved chassis. Here, work was done on the overall reinforcement of the body, and the more pronounced wheel deflections changed the overall geometry of the car and thus improved its traction. At the front, the 20 is equipped with a McPherson axle with transverse stabilizer, and at the back a semi-rigid axle with trailing arms. The already announced Premium package brings a very important mechanical differential of the Torsen type with limited m-LSD coupling.
Stiffer sports shock absorbers are also a matter of course, and the brakes, which have a 40 mm larger diameter at the front than standard, have also been modified. Behind the 18″ wheels, you will certainly not miss the impressive red brake calipers with the N logo.
Hyundai i20N can also please with its consumption. Comfortable driving in Eco mode brings very acceptable values slightly above 6 liters. Consumption during sports driving is directly proportional to your pressure on the saw, in this case, expect consumption values of around 12 liters per 100 km.
Hyundai has clearly managed to create another successful "Enko", which is definitely not as explosive as its sibling "Tríčitka", but will still offer a very balanced and fun driving performance.
The Hyundai i20 N is therefore a great sports utility vehicle that is easy to use on a daily basis. This car can deliver joy with every kilometer driven, when you really want it. Otherwise, you can dampen it playfully with the Eco mode, and you will feel its sporty character only with a stiffer chassis setting. But believe me, there will be very few such kilometers. Crackling into the exhaust, automatic intergases, potent engines, surgically precise manual or excellently tuned chassis, all these are the advantages of this car, which you will want to play with every day.
In conclusion
You can buy a Hyundai i20 N at a promotional price starting at CZK 599,900 including VAT. However, the additional Premium package becomes a certain obligation in the case of twenty-somethings. As part of this package, in addition to other equipment, you also get a self-locking differential. The Hyundai i20 N Premium is therefore available from CZK 679,900 including tax.
There are very few similarly tuned competitor cars. These are, for example, the Fiesta ST or the Polo GTI, and in both cases they are cars with a slightly higher purchase price. A well-set price policy becomes a traditional advantage, i.e. even in the case of the "enka" twenty.
Another advantage of the car is a wide variety of driving modes, in addition to the possibility of certain individualization, which is associated with a considerable variety of its driving behavior. Even this "enko" is not an ultimate tool, but a really handsome car with a sporty character, which can be both flexible and decently biting. Its positive aspects also include a sufficiently dimensioned and ergonomically functioning interior. The Hyundai i20 N Premium certainly did not disappoint me, it simply continues the excellently established trend of the i30 N model, only with smaller floor plan dimensions.
