THE ROOMY HYUNDAI i20 is coming in for a series of updates as part of a mid-life refresh. Subtle changes to the exterior of the car focus on the grille that is now in the same ‘cascading’ design that adorns the company’s latest models.

New-look 15- and 16-inch alloy wheels are being added to the mix and there are three new paint choices.

At the back, the changes are easier to spot, namely the placement of the registration plate. It moves up from the rear bumper into the tailgate and its 326-litre boot mean the i20 remains one of the most practical cars in the segment.

Inside, the i20 gets a technology upgrade, with all models now coming with a seven-inch touchscreen unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher-spec versions include satellite navigation and live connected services along with USB connections.

The i20 range looks to be sticking only with petrol, with the old 1.4-litre diesel appearing to be heading for retirement. Its 1.2-litre petrol engine comes in 75hp and 84hp flavours with a five-speed manual transmission driving the front wheels.

A nippier turbocharged three-cylinder engine will deliver 100 and 120hp options with six-speed transmissions. Whether all of these will make it to the Irish market is yet to be confirmed.

Speaking about the model, Andreas-Christoph Hofmann, vice-president for Marketing and Product of Hyundai Motor Europe said:

The i20 is one of our DNA models and has continuously been one of our top-selling cars in Europe for a decade.The i-range is the strong foundation of our brand’s success in Europe. By updating the new i20 in design, safety, connectivity and powertrain line-up, we are continuing to meet the expectations of our customers to ensure the ongoing success of this model range.

Hyundai is keeping things up to date on the safety front, too. Its SmartSense with Lane Departure Warning System, Lane Keeping Assist System, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Driver Attention Alert and High Beam Assist will all be on offer in the compact hatchback.

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