THE TOP CROP OF HATCHBACKS!

THE TOP CROP OF HATCHBACKS!

I don't know about others but for a middle-class person, owning a premium hatch is always their primary dream, and owning an i20 is the epitome of that dream. This, ladies and gentlemen is my take on the i20 N line N8 DCT(quite a mouthful but only owners know the pride it infuses). The Decision: After selling our Wagon -R 2019 make which had done only 22000 od kilometers, we were on the lookout for an automatic premium hatchback that could inspire confidence, especially on highways like our other car (Ford Ecosport tdci S 2018). Baleno has been in our family since 2017 so that was out of the park. Altroz DCA was also an option but TATA's fit and finish leave a sour aftertaste. One test drive of the N line was enough to book it immediately. I bought the car from BEEAAR Hyundai in Gorakhpur. Being a banker, the financing was never an issue and this car was going to be a Gift for my father (He bought the eco sport but it eventually ended up in my hands). The delivery was super smooth as I am an enthusiast in my rights. The car was delivered on the eve of my Father's birthday and his expression was beyond words. Styling: Subjective The car looks gorgeous from all angles except the side profile mainly due to the low-slung tail lamps. But again, the beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder and I will leave you at it. Drivetrain: Sufficient 7-speed DCT coupled with a turbocharged 996cc engine is good for 126 horses and 174 Nm of pulling power. Now that the new 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine has debuted on the Verna, it's rightly so that this car came with that engine. Features: You just name it. The car is full of features, except for some strange ommissions like why would you not provide wireless android auto and Apple car play when you are providing wireless phone chargers? For an asking OTR price of 14 lakhs approx, ventilated seats should have been a must. But there hasn't been a perfect car, or has it? Equipment: makes the engine feel underpowered. Man, this car handles like a hot knife on butter. The sheer confidence with which it changes lanes at triple-digit speeds is stupendous. Add to it the security of rear disc brakes and it makes you want to go faster, especially around the corners. The sports mode adds heft to the steering and driving it manually through the paddle shifters is fun. As I said, the veteran's 1.5 turbocharged petrol will do wonders for this hatch and make it a proper hot hatch. The Achilles heel of the car has to be its mileage. It barely returns 9-10 kmpl in the city and 14-15 kmpl on the highway. Given the spirited nature of the engine and the DCT bearing the major workload, you would be doing yourself a disservice by expecting anything more than the above figures. Though the silver lining is that you can drive it manually via the paddle shifters and the mileage increases drastically, especially in city traffic but takes away the convenience of an automatic. After-sales service: Average The car got its first service in a month and there was not much to do. Hyundai's service hasn't been an issue for us (given we owned a 2004 Hyundai Santro Xing till 2019). All in all, the current picture will be revealed once the car goes in for an oil change service. Conclusion: Not your first hatchback. The i20 N line N8 DCT isn't priced for first-time buyers. Only people who have owned either a Baleno or an altroz would appreciate the upmarket and premium feel of the car and the overall package it delivers at that price point. If you own several vehicles and are on the lookout for a premium hatch, this will fit the bill as your family members will come to enjoy the car too (no pun intended).