In the SUV-oriented market, the Hyundai i20 N-Line presents itself as a special choice for enthusiasts not prioritising the road presence; OPAV Opinion.
Hatchbacks, the small, useful and relatively affordable piece of automotive are slowly losing market share, not only in India but worldwide. However, in the entry-level segment, hatchbacks are the way to go but a new breed of micro-SUVs is rapidly taking over that place. Just the normal hatch sitting on high stilts and claiming to be an SUV is the name of the game and customers are sold the wrong truth via the channels of huge marketing budgets. So, this is where the big question arises, should you go for a bigger SUV/crossover or a hatchback in the same budget? Is the Hyundai i20 N-Line worth buying? or sub-4-meter SUVs like the Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV3XO and Kia Sonet makes more sense.
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Is Hyundai i20 N-Line Worth Buying?: The Size Difference
Before we move further, let’s get the size difference out of our way. A sub-4-meter hatchback and the Hyundai i20 N-Line will measure more or less the same in terms of length and width. The deciding factor comes out in the form of ground clearance and the overall height. With a ground clearance of 170mm, the i20 N-Line is not that bad if we take into consideration the wheelbase of 2,580 mm. On the other hand, the sub-4-meter SUV’s ground clearance will hover in the range of 190-210mm which is very good.
So, everything in this boils down to your personal choice, the Hyundai i20 N-Line get 99% of your work down without any hesitation. On the other hand, the SUVs will ensure that you can go anywhere, from waterlogged streets to not-so-favourable roads in the hills.
Is Hyundai i20 N-Line Worth Buying?: Driving Dynamics VS Road Presence
SUVs with their high-ground clearance, more weight and comfort-oriented dynamics can never be as agile as the hatchbacks and the Hyundai i20 N-Line is a purpose-driven hot hatch. As far as the value proposition is concerned, the under-4-meter crossovers are offering more car for the money. Hatchbacks, on the other hand, are inherently easy to drive, more fuel efficient due to lesser weight and the power-to-weight ratio is also better. These aforementioned aspects also apply to the i20 N-Line. Plus, the i20 N-Line could give you some exclusivity with its extra set of design elements.
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Is Hyundai i20 N-Line Worth Buying?: The Verdict
If you are someone who is not concerned about the road presence, the i20 N-Line is the way to go. It will give the best driving experience, an inch to drive on empty roads, take that corner at good speeds and much more. On the feature front, the i20 N-Line is quite loaded and at par with its crossover rivals. The engine gearbox combination is on point and it is also fast with 0-100 kmph in under 10 seconds with the manual gearbox. No sub-4-meter SUV can do so as of now. The SUVs/crossovers are more comfortable, give you a commanding driving position and nobody will question you on why you spent over Rs. 10 lakh on a hatchback.
So, a Hyundai i20 N-Line starting at Rs. 9.99 lakh (ex-showroom), going all the way up to Rs. 12.52 lakh (ex-showroom), may not feel worth it if size is your concern. But, for an enthusiast favouring dynamics over road presence, acceleration over commanding driving position and the fun-to-drive element over the “SUV” tag, the i20 N-Line presents itself as a near-perfect choice. Sure you can get a loaded sub-4-meter SUV at this price point with all the bells and whistles, but you will be added to the category of another average customer in the market who associated a car with its size rather than the driving feel.