Hyundai has given its i20 supermini - its third-best-selling car worldwide last year - some updated styling and new in-cabin tech to keep it fresh.
Even as other car makers are scrambling to abandon this affordable segment, thankfully, Hyundai is keeping the i20 going. It gets a new nose with a new grille, reprofiled bumper, and new LED headlights.
New LED lights
At the back, there's also a new bumper and new LED lights that have a distinct Z-shape when lit up. You'll be able to pick from 16 and 17-inch alloy wheels, and there are three new paint options: Lucid Lime Metallic, Lumen Grey Pearl, and Meta Blue Pearl.
While there are no dramatic changes inside, the i20 remains one of the most practical cars in its class, with a 352-litre boot and decent rear legroom and headroom. To go with that dramatic new Lucid Lime Metallic paint, an optional interior pack adds matching lime-green highlights.
As standard, you get analogue instruments with a new 4.2-inch LCD digital display between them, but you can upgrade the i20 to a fully digital instrument display with a 10.25-inch panel. There's also an optional 10.25-inch infotainment screen which comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and that has now been augmented by USB-C connections for your devices, wireless phone charging, and a built-in 4G receiver that allows over-the-air software updates.
Extra safety tech
More Hyundai Smart Sense safety features now come as standard. The Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA)'s pedestrian detection now includes cyclist detection. There's also a lane-following assistance feature that keeps you square in your lane.
Optionally, you can also spec your i20 with rear cross-traffic alert, blind spot monitor, and active cruise control, which uses built-in sat-nav to know when curves are coming up and adjusts its speed accordingly.
If you really want to tech up your i20, you can also have a high-end Bose stereo.
Mild-hybrid
Up front, the 1.0-litre turbo three-cylinder petrol engine comes with either 100hp or 120hp and gets 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance. You can choose from a six-speed manual or seven-speed DC-T dual-clutch automatic, but Hyundai Ireland has not yet confirmed which versions of the updated i20 will be coming here.
Production of the new i20 doesn't begin until later this year, so the latest WLTP CO2 and fuel economy figures aren't yet available, but we'll keep you up to date as we get them.