I did see the Kodiaq launch before I purchased the Tucson, but the heart was set on the Tucson.

BHPian Prof.Otter recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Hi all.

This is my first post on this forum and I thought of making it about our recent purchase of the Hyundai Tucson.

For context, we are a family of five (including wife, daughter and my parents who occasionally come and stay for a few months). I used to drive the Hyundai i20 Asta(O) for the last four years. We are not biased towards any brand, but generally prefer a hassle-free experience over outright driving feel. Having said that, I (designated driver) do crave and love nice driving cars; and more importantly, I value well-rounded cars that may not be the best at one thing; but would be a perfect engineering optimization that would make it good in multiple areas.

How it started:

Well, it started with us visiting my brother-in-law in Mumbai and roaming around in his Jeep Compass for the 3 days we were there.

Although my family had been perfectly happy with our i20, I wasn’t completely satisfied. There was an itch to get a car that feels better to drive; without compromising on the comfort and needs of the family. During our Mumbai trip, the Compass reminded me that better feeling alternatives do exist and maybe I should not settle for the i20.

My wife and I are both generally very anxious people with a strong head that always wins against our weak hearts. This time, however, I mustered the courage to entertain the possibility of being slightly impractical and impulsive. I toyed with the idea of getting a Compass for ourselves immediately on returning home and started looking up details and reviews online. On our way back, I pitched this idea to my wife. I was expecting a practical response and careful evaluation of pros and cons (which would have inevitably led to the decision that the i20 was all the car we needed); but instead, after a quick think, she chimed in and agreed with me!

Of course, we could not throw all practicality out of the window and the decision was not nearly as impulsive as driving to showroom right from the airport; but we did end up discussing about various car options that would be a good upgrade for us. Note that when I say “upgrade” I do not necessarily mean more money, more power, more seats or more features. Upgrade for us meant something that would feel better to drive and will satisfy all of the needs of my family (carries five comfortably, has ISOFIX mounts, 6+ airbags, good space at the back, seats that would not cause aches and pains, decent boot space, stable highway ride, not feeling claustrophobic in the car etc). This meant our search list went all the way from fun-to-drive budget hatchbacks to large crossovers and SUVs across all possible brands.

The Process:

Here I must admit that I was aware of the Hyundai Tucson for quite some time having spent some years living in America, and this name kept popping up in my head frequently. Since I was looking at all options under 50-60 Lakhs, the list was huge and test-driving all of them would be a mammoth task. Further, given that I am generally anxious and not very good with people, especially pushy salespersons, this was daunting. Also, we live in a small town and had to travel 2 hours (one way) to the nearest city to access some of the showrooms. So, the first thing I did was eliminate: find faults and eliminate. I did not make judgments about subjective aspects of the car at this point (so no assumptions about comfort or drive feel), but only focused on quantitative metrics. I was able to whittle the list down to a few Toyotas; the Tucson; Jeep Compass and Meridian and Skoda Kodiaq.

The new version of Kodiaq was about to be launched, so planned on waiting to see that. In the meantime, we decided to test drive the others. The first one was Tucson, as the Hyundai showroom was closest to our home. I called up SA who I worked with for the i20 purchase ( a genuinely nice and caring person) and told him that I wanted to look at some cars. Took an appointment form him, went to the showroom, and without any mention of the car I was interested in, asked him to suggest options for an upgrade. There was some meandering discussion about Creta n-line, i20 n-line, Alcazar etc. but the guy did not mention Tucson even once.

After listening to him ramble on for 15-20 minutes, I meekly asked “What about the Tucson?” and the guy was visibly taken aback. After he had gained his composure back, he quickly apologized saying that selling a Tucson for them is a huge event and this small town dealership considers even a single sale in a year to be a big deal. He also added that there are possibly only about 3-4 Tucsons in our region. Anyway, once he got to know about my interest in the car, he immediately arranged for a TD (my wife asked for it; I had just planned on looking at the car) and, interestingly enough, told me to drive as long as I wanted to get a feel for the car.

The Decision:

The first TD of the Tucson (Diesel) was a very anxious moment for me, but by the time I was out of the dealership compound, I was already grinning ear-to-ear! And so was wifey !!! And that says a lot.

The SA tried to talk us through some of the features, but once he figured out that we possibly knew more than him about the car, he just shut up and let us drive. The decision did not take long after that. We did test all possible on-road manners. On the return trip asked the SA to drive and I sat in the rear seat to check things with wifey and we decided…we were getting this.

Still, we are head-over-heart people, remember. So told the SA that we need time to think, thanked him and left. The most interesting thing was that I was so smitten with this car that I did not even go for a TD of the other shortlisted vehicles. Maybe that was stupid, but this is the most impractical impulsive thing I have done in a long time and I stand by it. The other thing was that all the other vehicles we had shortlisted had some niggles/compromises that other people had reported online like Jeep reliability/after-sales, Innova wait times etc. Interestingly enough, even after scouring the internet, I was hard-pressed to find any reported faults with the Tucson. The most serious allegations were that it is overpriced (not an issue for us) and that the Hyundai badge doesn’t have snob value (again, we do not care).

Still, I waited for the new Kodiaq release; and took my parents and our daughter (3 year old) to the Hyundai showroom again for another TD. Again, it was an instant hit with my parents and the final clincher was my daughter going gaga over the car. She has not been the most interested in road-trips or cars, but she loved every minute of being in the Tucson… and that was it for me. Decision made!

(I did see the Kodiaq launch before I purchased the Tucson, but the heart was set on the Tucson.)

Delivery:

Owning the car was simple and easy. We finalised on the Signature 2WD Diesel variant and informed the SA. He did all the heavy lifting. We exchanged the i20 and got a reasonable exchange value discount. The SA talked to the management and got us further discounts on his own (even though we had not asked for it) and overall, we ended up paying slightly lower than we had expected! Part payments were completed and our car arrived at the dealers almost within a week of booking it. Did a thorough PDI based on the exhaustive list on teambhp (I took a 5 page printed checklist and ran around ticking things off in the afternoon sun which earned me a lot of curious looks ); and completed the rest of the payment. Took delivery on 4th May. We had instructed the SA not to put any ribbon/sticker/garland on the car and asked for no cakes and minimal ceremonial engagements; and they obliged.

Ownership:

I have loved every bit of owning this car so far. It did take some time getting used to a high(-er) driving position compared to the low i20, but it has been fun. Let me share the three most interesting experiences that have happened with/around this car.

The first involves my daughter. During the i20 phase, she wasn’t actively against but was also not very keen on going for drives, especially because she did not like sitting in the car seat (or so we thought). That flipped! Now, she wants to go in the car all the time, suddenly has a newfound love for her car-seat, and is super happy being in the car for hours. On top of that, she loves the acceleration this engine can produce. In her mind, the car becomes an “aeroplane” when accelerated hard in sports mode because she has felt that sort of rush during flight take-offs. She loves it so much that she specifically asks me to “make it an aeroplane” which means find an empty straight road and accelerate (within speed limits of course).

The second involves some of my colleagues. We naturally spoke about the new car and on revealing the price, the inevitable comment is “You could have bought a Fortuner for that sort of money”. On hearing this, I politely ask if they have been in a Fortuner before, which most have. Then I take them for a spin in the Tucson (we have access to a relatively large-ish work-campus with good roads). From the moment they enter the car, the Fortuner comparison stutters and by the time we are back, they are sold on the Tucson! All of this without speaking a single word in praise of the Tucson or against the Fortuner.
(Disclaimer: I have nothing against the Fortuner. It is a good car with a lot of value but most of my colleagues were stuck on the snob value of it rather than what its pros-cons are, and were mostly unaware of the existence of Tucson which might suit the common man better).

The third is the behaviour of our driver. This is a grown man in his forties who has been driving various commercial and private vehicles across all parts of India since of legal age. On hearing about this car from us, this guy was initially shocked that such a car exists. He then possibly went through all youtube/online reviews of the Tucson and told us all about it the next day. He went with me for the PDI and seemed way more excited than my family members. Finally, since getting the car home, he has been going gaga over it. Recently, he came into my office just to tell me what a great car it is and essentially to share his child-like excitement about the vehicle.
So, overall, it has been fun so far; and I am happy that this car has brought a little bit of joy and fun a few people's lives.

We are waiting to go on longer drives and will report back to the community with further updates.

Thank you for reading.

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Overall I’m happy with Kia and their ability to read the market very well.

BHPian Tony2298 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Kia Syros initial impressions(without TD)

I personally have a soft spot for the South Koreans, I’ve been a long time user of Hyundai cars, LG home appliances and Samsung mobile phones(in fact my first personal cellphone was a Samsung Metro or something like that back in the day!), Kia too impressed me with their Seltos only because the product itself was so sorted and offered everything one expects from a relatively affordable CSUV.

Therefore, obviously there was a lot of hype when Kia announced yet another CSUV, the Syros. At first, everybody was kinda confused as to why Kia was launching a car in a segment which they themselves offer rather attractive cars and then came the looks, or the lack thereof. While the Seltos and even the Sonet to an extent appealed to mass majority of audience at the first sight, Syros is quite the opposite. The looks are rather polarising and kinda reminded me about all the negativity people had spread about the design when Kia launched their Carens MPV back in 2022 but we all know how much of a success the MPV turned out to be. Will the history repeat with the Syros or is it gonna be different, let’s proceed with the review, shall we?

Exteriors

The Syros is polarising, no doubt about that and yes even I’m not very much attracted to its design . The narrow width and tall height gives it kei car(car segment created by Japan and includes cars like the WagonR) vibes, plus the lights are pushed towards the corners of the bumpers giving it a very oddball appearance, although more than the design mishmash I’m worried about the lights being smashed a bit too frequently by our friendly traffic which often show love to your cars by kissing it a bit too frequently and leaving love bites in the form of what we call dents, scratches, dings etc. Better take a zero dip policy right out of the showroom IMO!

The front end definitely is polarising and would divide opinions for sure

The rear end continues the split lamp design element as the front

The side profile of the car is typical breadbox, for the lack of better words. The diamond cut alloys do help to an extent but it’s a boxy and disproportionate design, that’s the truth. Good thing though, even the base model doesn’t feel barebones at all, it comes with diamond cut alloys, turn indicators on ORVMs and even a sunroof!, however Kia skipped an all-important rear wash wipe on the base trims, which is sad IMO. If I’m getting a hatch, MPV, crossover or SUV a rear wash wipe is very essential given the rear windscreen of these cars get so grimy during those highway trips.

The 16" diamond cut alloys look cool and offered even with base variants!

Other highlights of design include all LED headlights and taillights from the mid variant onwards, diamond cut alloys on all trims(the base&mid variants get 16″ alloys and top trims get 17″ alloys”, sadly however Kia has skipped rear discs for the Syros which is offered in the Seltos and considering the Syros gets the same 1.5CRDi option as its elder sibling). Kia, however haven’t delved into some petty cost cutting measures and has provided insulation material at the wheel arches, firewalls and a proper underbody engine cover. Good job Kia!

The wheel arch gets full cladding

The bonnet lacks insulation material

Interiors
The biggest advantage of a breadbox shaped car is the sheer amount of real estate it opens up inside and forget Sonet, it even beats Seltos in terms of space! There is ample space for two basketball players to sit one behind other, there’s more than ample headroom, legroom and knee room, also the quality of materials used in the Syros is first grade. Everything you touch and feel is premium feeling. The steering was wrapped in soft quality leather and switchgear quality too was fantastic almost out of a luxury car and credit where it’s due Kia has truly worked hard to provide a nice ambience to the interiors and if it’s the interiors you all care about you will really appreciate the Syros.

The interior feels premium

The panoramic sunroof gives special vibes to the cabin!

Even the base variants get a regular single pane sunroof!

The rear bench is IMHO the best place to be in a Syros. The reclining seats are very comfy and you even get a unblind for rear windows which is a boon during summers, also apart from usual rear air-con vents, Syros offers a segment first rear seat ventilation too, IIRC only cars like Safari offer this feature though the first car to offer it for mainstream cars was the 2012 Hyundai Sonata! Plus the passengers do get the view from large panoramic sunroof if you opt for the trim offering it. Kia knows many of the cars are chauffeur driven and owners would like to spend more time in the back seat and Kia has emphasised their focus and its a job done well.

The rear windows get useful blinds

The rear A/C vents are offered as standard

The boot space is adequate and adjustable as rear bench slides and 60:40 split for backrests

Features&ICE
Now, it is taken for granted almost that if you’re buying a Hyundai or a Kia, the car will be absolutely brimming with gizmos and the Syros is no different. Apart from usual stuff, I really liked the ICE of the Syros. The UX is updated, the icons, the font and graphics are spot on and helps uplifting the overall ambience, the touch response was really slick and I had no issues to run android auto wirelessly via my Samsung Galaxy ZFold5, The reverse camera too was crisp and I think the top end model with surround view camera would’ve no issues with resolution of the screen. The sound quality, however wasn’t too my liking, I was experiencing the Arkamys setup of the mid variant and the sound was pretty flat IMO, the top end variants with Harman-Kardon might sound better but the SA himself said he likes the output of the BOSE system more, so I don’t know why Kia compromised with the audio experience with the Syros given the fact that the rest of the ICE is so damn good.

The digital screens enhance the ambience of interior, definitely!

The digital instrument console even though similar to outgoing Hyundai/Kia models has updated colour themes and looked good for a digital screen though the readouts and menus remain more or less the same.

The air-conditioning switches are very innovative type too and even though mid-variants get a manual A/C you don’t get the usual knobs and instead get buttons which somewhat resembles a FATC system, Neat!

Kia has made sure the base variants too are decently equipped and not the usual bare bones type we usually expect of. It gets stuff like diamond cut alloys, regular single pane sunroof, touchscreen, digital instruments etc. The keyfob even though a jack-knife type doesn’t look bad and in fact one of the nicer keyfob design I’ve seen, I really hope Hyundai updates the keyfob of their cars too since it looks a bit too boring now.

The keyfob feels premium

Powertrains
This is where Kia has hit a home run IMO and hold BIG advantage over the zillion other cars it competes with. Kia decided to skip the 1.2NA engine which IMO was a rather good move since that engine is basically the same Kappa unit introduced by Hyundai with their 1st gen i10 back in 2007 and is rather anaemic on such a boxy car.

Thus the powertrain choices include a 3cylinder 1.0 TGDi engine with a 6MT/7DCT and the 1.5CRDi with 6MT or a proper TC 6AT!; the latter is the biggest ace up the sleeve of the Syros since with people having high running find diesel cars to be super useful even in today’s day&age, plus the 6AT box is one of the smoothest transmission and when you pair it with a torquey CRDi, you get an optimum blend of power, efficiency and convenience. Kia knows the diesel has still a good demand and continues to offer it with the Syros.

The fantastic 1.5CRDi is offered in Syros with 6MT/6AT

The shifts felt smooth, the clutch was light but had a longer travel, typical of Hyundais

Conclusion

Even though its hard to derive into a conclusion given the fact that I didn’t do any TD and prices aren’t announced too, still after experiencing the car, I’m rather impressed and I’m very sure of an aggressive price tag and expect the Syros to be a hit since we’ve seen how people bashed cars like 2nd gen Creta or the Kia Carens based on their disproportionate designs in the recent past but due to the other aspects of the car being spot on, these cars became a runaway success and I expect it to be the same with the Syros. Yes, the design, even I don’t like it but given the fact it has that fantastic 1.5CRDi with an option of an AT too I wouldn’t hesitate from buying the car, given the fact that Kia manages a good crashworthiness.

Overall I’m happy with Kia and their ability to read the market very well and irrespective of whatever people say, the Syros is made according to market demands and one which will definitely fare well in the market even if it means cannibalising its siblings, which is bound to happen.

Workshop experience

Apart from the car I would like to add something about the service centre, since the showroom was a 3s facility I decided to visit the workshop area too and I must say I was rather impressed. The area was very large and had multiple bays ensuring the workshop ain’t choked even with heavy load. The bodyshop area was very good too and I found all parts of a car disassembled in a place which I really loved to see.

Large service area with multiple bays

Bodyshop area

Disassembled car parts

Kia uses Servo oils only

The reception area was large too and I felt a good vibe at the ASC and expect the experience to be very similar to Hyundais which is to say fuss-free.

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We booked a homestay whose location was insanely pretty and scenic, especially for us city people. It's located in the middle of acres tea plantations.

BHPian Electricpig recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Intro

The point of this trip was to say goodbye to my sister, who will be going abroad for higher studies. A sort of a last dance before she leaves. We live in Bangalore and our criteria for the destination were as follows:

• Drive should be less than 8 hours.
• Off-beat/Not a crowded tourist spot.

We were looking at:

• Kodai
• Wayanad(Canned for obvious reasons)
• Coonoor
• Ooty
• Gokarna
• Varkala
• Vagamon

Finally decided that Coonoor/Kotagiri fit our criteria and started looking at home stay options. Found a place in Coonoor-Ghar homestay Coonoor that was away from the main town. More on that later.

Day 1

The plan was to start from home at 4:30 a.m. on the 15th August. Surprisingly, we were only 20 minutes behind schedule, and ended up leaving at 4:50. Crazy traffic at 5:10 near Hudson circle/KR Market.

Cleared the traffic and finally hit the Mysore expressway at 6.

Stopped at one Hari Govindas for Coffee, after the expressway. Nice spot and very good filter coffee.

Some photos from Bandipur/Mudumallai:

On exiting Mudumallai, we were asked to stop and register for a Nilgiris E-Pass. We didn't have to pay anything, but no idea what the point was, since we were never asked to show the pass at any point during the trip.

After Mudumallai, we started the 36 hairpin bends to Ooty within an hour or so.

These mist-covered mountains

We stopped for lunch at one Thalssery restaurant in Ooty, which was on the way to our homestay. I doubt if this restaurant is actually a part of the Thalssery chain. Food was okay. Deserted restaurant. 5/10.

We finally reached the homestay around 3 p.m. The location is insanely beautiful and scenic, especially for us city people. It's located in the middle of acres upon acres of tea plantations.

Sharing some pics from the numerous walks we took around the place.

Day 2

Today, we were supposed to take the toy train that goes from Coonoor to Ketti. However, IRCTC randomly cancelled the train at the last minute so we made alternate plans. First on the agenda was to visit an RC church, say our prayers, and then carry on. After some searching in the Coonoor town, we came to St. Anthony's church, a beautiful and cosy church on a hill top.

From the church, we set out in search of Filter Coffee, a rare commodity in Coonoor (Only instant coffee). In search of our coffee, we had the opportunity to walk through Coonoor's "shortcuts" - flights of stairs that run literally through the city.

The stairs:

Some sights of Coonoor:

After Sim's park, we had lunch at a dosa joint (It had strawberry and dry fruit dosa, and gave us a kallu dosa for Uthappam). This restaurant was on Bedford Road... and as it turned out, Bedford Road had quiet a few interesting places to explore. We checked out one 'Gaia pottery store', a handicraft store which occupied a beautiful house.

Continue reading about Electricpig's road trip for BHPian comments, insights and more information.

The Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve can be skipped if you are tight on time.

BHPian anoop.u recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Completed the trip as per suggestions from BHPians (with a few deviations thanks to Google & my kids).

Thane to Kottayam:

• Day 1: Thane -> Pune -> Satara -> Belgavi -> Davanagere
• Day 2: Davanagere -> Hosur -> Dindigul -> Cumbum -> Kumily -> Kottayam

Kottayam to Thane:

Day 1: Kottayam -> Kumily -> Cumbum -> Dindigul -> Tiruppur -> Sathyamangalam -> Tumakuru
Day 2: Tumakuru -> Vijayapura -> Solapur -> Pune -> Thane

NOTES:

Satara Road to be avoided, not at all drivable post sundown. Solapur route is the better option as of now.

Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve can be skipped if you are tight on time. I did the Bandipur reserve last trip and wanted to cover Sathyamangalam this trip.

Signing off with a photo of the steed from the return journey.

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I had the PUC certificate and car insurance with me. I hired an RTO agent and paid him a whopping Rs 16,000 to get all the work done.

BHPian Tony2298 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Getting my i20s Passing renewed at MH RTO

Hello all,

Since my i20 was registered originally way back in January 2010, I had to get the re-passing work of my vehicle done since as of now I do want to retain the car, also since MH has the cheapest and easiest process of getting re-passing work done at RTOs it's a no-brainer choice given you have the intention of retaining your car. I genuinely hope it remains the same even in the future.

Anyways coming back to the topic, since I personally had a busy schedule I avoided preparing the paperwork and other necessary stuff thus hired an agent for it and I have to say they charge quite a bit for their services with little scope of negotiations. In total for a 2010 Hyundai i20 Asta, I had to shell out 16k to the agent for the complete work, rip-off I know but I really didn't want to loiter around the office every now and then since we all very well know how things go around in here.

I was given the slot during the afternoon for the fitness test, nothing much to prepare beforehand, the usual PUC, Insurance stuff and the car should be in a rather presentable condition, just that. A few other cars like City, WagonR, Punto etc of similar vintage were present there for the fitness test along with my car.

I don't know if it was mandatory or not but there was a person saying it's mandatory to put reflective strips around the car for passing the fitness test. Since I saw all the other cars had stuck those on their bumpers (2 white strips on either side of the front bumper and 2 red strips on the rear bumper), I allowed it, at first the person was demanding 200 Rs for it, just called my agent and they had a small conversation and I didn't have to pay him for the tapes.

Coming to the actual test, it was rather too simple IMHO, there were 2 RTO inspector officers (ladies) who asked me to start the car, move it back and forth, apply brakes, and check if the headlights, taillights, blinkers and wipers are in order or not, cross-checked the VIN and voila, the test is done and my i20 has passed with flying colours!

The RC was submitted too and the new updated RC would soon be available to me as a soft-copy while the hard copy would be dispatched by post as usual.

The next visit of mine to RTO now would be around March/April 2027 for my Honda Aviator's re-passing and again around September 2027 for my dad's WagonR albeit the latter visit would be at JH01 DTO.

Other cars of similar vintage undergoing fitness tests and certification.

Thank you

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It seems like every passing month brings me closer to the i20.

BHPian Shreyfiesta recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

UPDATE : i20 completes 1 year & 12,000 kms of ownership

It's been a year since we bought the i20, and the car is reaching close to the 12,000 kms mark. It has been nothing but a very pleasant experience so far. It seems like every passing month brings me closer to the i20. Everyone in our family loves this car and it has never failed to put a smile on every time we drive it around. This is the epitome of a point A to point B kind of car I would say.

Seat covers installed :

My car being the top-spec Asta Option variant, came with leather + fabric combination upholstery from the factory. All contact portions were light grey fabric with a cheap-looking 'i20' branding on the backrest. The grey-coloured fabric was a nightmare to maintain, it absorbed dirt and mud quite easily and got filthy within a few months of usage. A thorough cleaning was required atleast once in every two weeks to keep it clean.

All these together made me think of getting a more durable upholstery done. Leather was chosen because it is easy to clean, while the fabric ones need immense patience to shampoo, de-smudge, and dry. I got airbag-compatible leather seat covers done from Wellfit as a solution to the problem. The front seats have an unstitched cut-out left for the airbags to be protruded in case of a collision. Fit and finish is extremely good, they have a good range of options as well, starting from the upholstery material to the style/colour one needs.

Black leather easily conceals signs of soiling way better than the lighter fabric.

While the light color had an airy feel, black is a lot easier to clean.

10,000kms periodic service competed:

The car clocked 10,000kms on 15th August during an impulsive trip from Kochi to Kannur. This milestone came up in 10 months of ownership, it usually takes us one and a half year to hit this mark. The car was then sent to PPS Hyundai Alappuzha for its second periodic service in early-September at 10,790kms.

• Driver-side seatbelt wasn't retracting by itself into place whenever the belt was released from the buckle, which meant I had to pull it manually using hands to keep it back in place when not in use. This was sorted by adjusting tightness of some bolts at the lower base of B-pillar.
• The underbody coating done from the dealership was chipping off at many spots, so took it as an opportunity to re-do the entire underbody including silencer. Thankfully, the service center themselves agreed to re-do the coating for free under warranty.
• Headlamp condensation issue was persistent on my car as well. I knew this is quite normal, as long as it dries up immediately after. All four headlamp dust caps have been replaced on an experimental basis. If the issue still remains unsolved, a headlamp replacement under warranty is promised.
• As a part of the scheduled maintenance, tasks done were : engine oil and oil filter replacement, air filter and AC filter clean-up, wheel alignment, tyre rotation and washing. Car was delivered clean, something that was much needed after the last long drive. The final amount that I paid for the service was ₹ 3,448/-

The i20 seems to be a fuss-free vehicle on whole - exactly how a daily driver car is supposed to be.

Twinning with cousin's brand new i20 Sportz MT.

Another happy i20 owner signing off until the next update.

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I drove with a relatively light foot and even if we account for a 10% MID error, we would still get a fuel efficiency figure of 19+ km/l.

BHPian docprashant recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

A short trip to Lonavala

Recently went on a short trip to Lonavala from Chembur and it gave me an opportunity to stretch the legs of my N-Line.

The car performed flawlessly and was very confidence-inspiring in the twists & turns. We had 3 people on board and all were well-rested. The slightly stiff ride is a boon at highway speeds and the tendency to wallow was minimal.

I drove with a relatively light foot (albeit with some moments of spirited driving road permitting) and got a rather unbelievable MID mileage of 21.7kmpl. Even if we account for a 10% margin of error that is still a mileage of 19+ kmpl.

The music system is really good and is a boon on long drives. Sound output is very crisp, though a small grouse is more options could have been provided for equalizer presets.

Overall, it was a fun short trip to the outskirts of Mumbai. By the way, my car earned a new nickname owing to its slithering handling in the ghats- now it is called “Naagin”.

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All these upgrades cost me around the same as jumping to a higher variant or more, but for me, it feels like I now have a special car.

BHPian hasgardee recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

How I Ended Up Buying the i20 in 2021

Before diving into the modifications I've done to my car, let me share a quick story about how I ended up purchasing the Hyundai i20 in 2021. My requirements were quite specific: I needed an engine that wasn't less punchy, a high level of fit and finish, and ample space in the rear to comfortably seat three passengers. With a budget of around 8-9 lakhs, I shortlisted three hatchbacks: the i20, Baleno, and Altroz. I didn't consider any other segments beyond hatchbacks.

Baleno and Altroz were good options as well. With Baleno, I needed a little bit more punchy engine, while with Altroz, fit and finish, and Tata service history were concerns. Nonetheless, both were very nice cars for that budget range. Ultimately, the 1.5 CRDi engine in the i20 was the perfect touch for me. With its whopping 240Nm torque and the initial push it gave for such a small car, along with the option to explore remap options if needed, it sealed the deal.

I was a fan of the i20N, which was available only in Europe at the time, so the design aspect of the i20 gave me the feeling of getting a mini i20N. The looks of the i20 caught my eye especially the front and cuts and creases, which had a modern touch that appealed to me. The interior stood out as top-notch compared to the others. However, the rear design was a bit of a letdown due to the chrome strip and the somewhat disproportionate rear top area. The i20 1.5 diesel variant almost perfectly matched all my requirements, though I had to stretch my budget by about 1.2 lakhs for the Sportz variant.

I was aware of potential DPF issues before purchasing, but after learning that Hyundai has been selling DPF-equipped vehicles outside India for a long time, I decided not to worry. Understanding how the DPF works further reassured me, and so far, I've experienced no major issues with it. After a few months with the car, I delved deeper into understanding the DPF system. I purchased a decent OBD II connector, but none of the available apps were providing proper DPF readings for my car. Determined to find a solution, I connected with the developer of the Car Scanner app and provided them with my car's readings to add the Hyundai 1.5 CRDi car profile and he added that to his app. After a few weeks, I gained access to my DPF readings and thoroughly examined how it works, providing me with a clear picture of my car's DPF behaviors. This entire journey could be a story for another separate post.

Comprehensive List of Modifications

I was particularly keen on maintaining a subtle and understated aesthetic with my car modifications, avoiding anything that would make my car stand out excessively. I opted for subtle OEM-like modifications, ensuring that they wouldn't compromise the security of the vehicle. After all, this car serves as both my family's primary mode of transportation and a means of travel, rather than being solely a project car for me.

I took a hands-on approach to most of the upgrades, personally handling the installations myself. However, I refrained from modifications involving painting, as I was skeptical about aftermarket accessory shops dealing with my car, particularly when it came to the removal of trim. I was concerned about potential rattling issues that could arise from such modifications. In fact, I implemented various measures to prevent rattling throughout the installation process, which I'll detail shortly.

Additionally, when I started the modifications, the i20 N Line hadn't been launched yet. However, after its release, many of my modifications were aimed at transferring my i20 sportz to i20 N Line diesel variant, which Hyundai didn't offer. Moreover, due to budget constraints and the desire to experience the feeling of a new car after each modification, I spaced out the installation of each modification over several months. I will explain each modification I made in detail, However, since I did not initially plan to document these upgrades, which took place over the last three years, I don't have a complete photo or video record of the entire installation process. I will attach any available photos of each upgrade.

Tyre and Alloy Upgrade

The very first modification I tackled was upgrading my tyres and alloys, a common starting point for many car enthusiasts. The decision to change the tyres stemmed from the factory-fitted CEAT Secura tyres, which proved to be noisy and rigid. Paired with the stiff suspension setup of the i20 diesel, these tyres only exacerbated the issue. To remedy this, I opted to swap out the CEAT Secura tyres for Continental UC6 tyres. The difference was immediately noticeable, both in terms of reduced road noise and improved grip on various surfaces.

Following the tyre upgrade, my attention turned to the alloys. The stock wheel caps on the i20 Sportz resembled alloy wheel, which didn't quite align with my preferences. I began exploring various aftermarket alloy options, but I was hesitant about Indian brands due to concerns about durability and performance. While some international options caught my eye, they often came with a hefty price tag. It was during this search that I considered Hyundai's own alloy offerings. This option provided two key advantages: reasonable pricing and easy replacement in case of single alloy damage.

Amidst my search, I stumbled upon the alloy wheels from the Verna Turbo model. These wheels featured a unique diamond-cut design with a glossy black finish a departure from the typical gray finish found on most Hyundai alloys. After some virtual experimentation with Photoshop to visualize how they would complement my fiery red i20, I was convinced of their compatibility. I made the decision to go for the Verna Turbo alloys, completing the first phase of my wheel related upgrades.

Adding Auto-Dimming IRVM

One feature notably absent from the standard i20 variants, including the Asta O, was an auto-dimming IRVM. Initially, I didn't consider it a significant omission, thinking that manually adjusting the mirror at night and returning it to its normal state in the morning would suffice. However, I found myself occasionally struggling with the adjustment, leading to moments of confusion and inconvenience during nighttime driving. It was then that I decided to take matters into my own hands and add this feature to my i20.

My search for options began with exploring offerings from Hyundai themselves. However, the OEM option proved to be prohibitively expensive. So, I decided to explore other car companies' OEM options. Aftermarket solutions were my last resort, knowing that a single company manufactures IRVMs for many car brands, resulting in nearly identical fits. Turning to other company OEM solutions, I considered two alternatives: the Honda frameless IRVM and Maruti's auto-dimming IRVM. Interestingly, both options were manufactured by the same company, resulting in nearly identical fits.
Initially, I leaned towards the Honda option, but a sudden and significant price increase from around 800 to 6,000 rupees led me to reconsider. Ultimately, I opted for the Maruti variant, commonly found in many of their car models. After testing it in a Maruti vehicle and being impressed by its quick response and effectiveness, I made the decision to proceed. Despite the slightly flimsy plastic construction, the functionality far outweighed any minor concerns.

Because I'm not that good with electronics, I always seek help from my friend Subith. He also owns the same generation i20, and we’ve done almost all of these mods in both cars, with only a few differences. He actually created the entire wiring and setup when he was doing the mod in his car and sent it to me, which made the installation much easier for me. With the addition of necessary wires and couplers, the installation was smooth, and the Maruti part integrated seamlessly into my i20. Although the Maruti part didn't provide a perfect fit for covering the wires, a Hyundai part served as an ideal solution. In the end, I achieved the perfect fit for an auto-dimming IRVM at a fraction of the cost.

Headlight and Other Lighting Upgrades

This was the upgrade I truly needed, not just for better night driving performance but also to enhance the car’s aesthetics. Upgrading the headlights would significantly elevate the front look of my car. From the beginning, I wanted this upgrade and even consulted the Hyundai service center team about it. Unfortunately, they had no experience with this swap for the i20, although they had done it for the Creta. I patiently waited for them to be ready by my next service, but received the same response.

Frustrated with the wait, I decided to start my own research. This led me to the well-known coupler market in Delhi. I contacted a few sellers and found someone who had already done this upgrade. I purchased the coupler from him before acquiring the headlights. During my search for the coupler, I discovered a large market for second-hand headlights. Surprisingly, I found projector headlights for the i20 available at a fraction of the price of new ones. Being from South India, I wasn’t initially aware of this market. However, I realized these headlights came from accident vehicles and might have undergone some repairs. I thoroughly examined the pictures and even did a video call inspection before placing an order for a pair.

When I received both the headlights and the coupler, I noticed some minor scratches here and there, but nothing major. The headlights were working perfectly. I also asked the coupler guy to make my cornering lamp functional. While it couldn’t work like other cars' cornering lamps that turn on with the steering change, he wired it so that the cornering lamps would be on whenever the headlights were on. I was okay with this compromise, as it meant my cornering lamps were still somewhat functional with this upgrade.

The installation process was straightforward with the couplers I had purchased. The new headlights not only enhanced the night driving experience with better visibility but also gave my car a sporty, upscale look. The beam was more focused and brighter compared to the stock halogen headlights.

Additionally, I made some other lighting upgrades. I replaced the fog lights with LED ones, which matched the brightness and color temperature of the new projector headlights. I also upgraded the interior lights and number plate lights to LEDs

These lighting upgrades collectively transformed the overall appearance and functionality of my car, making it safer and more stylish.

i20 N Line Launch

When I initially purchased my i20 in June 2021, I couldn't help but inquire about the possibility of an i20 N Line launch, spurred by leaked test mule images. However, like many sales representatives eager to secure a sale, I was assured that such a launch was highly unlikely.

So, when the i20 N Line was eventually unveiled, I was impressed by Hyundai's execution of the N Line, with its subtle yet impactful design upgrades that didn't resemble typical aftermarket modifications. The aggressive front, sleek side skirts, and refined rear bumper elements and spoiler with side wings were all meticulously crafted, elevating the i20's aesthetic appeal. Additionally, the mechanical enhancements, particularly the steering finish, left a lasting impression, making it one of the best in its class. Nevertheless, whenever I encountered an i20 N Line on the road, I couldn't help but be captivated by its presence. At that time, I read a discussion on Team-BHP where someone was asking if they should sell their regular i20 and get the i20 N Line or just modify their current car. I was in a similar situation, but I wasn't ready to give up my 1.5 CRDi. Since Hyundai doesn't offer that option with the N Line, modification was the only option for me.

During this time, I had the opportunity to connect with like-minded i20 owners who shared my passion for modifications. Together, we formed a small but dedicated group focused on discussing potential upgrades and supporting each other throughout our modification journeys. I'm grateful for the invaluable assistance and camaraderie provided by Subith, Prasad, Sushant and Jayant.

First N Line Specific Modification: Diffuser and Exhaust Tip

As I mentioned initially, the rear design of the i20 was a major letdown for me. However, Hyundai addressed this with the N Line by adding a new spoiler, side wings, a more aggressive diffuser with an exhaust tip, and darkening the rear chrome line. Regarding the chrome line, I applied two layers of sticker red and black transparent vinyl, giving it an integrated look with the tail light assembly.

The N Line rear enhancements were appealing, so just a few weeks after the N Line deliveries began, I ordered the spoiler, side wings, and rear diffuser. I received the parts within a few weeks and I gave them to paint all to black. But then realized that installing the spoiler would be tricky. Unlike typical spoilers that have holes for screws, the N Line spoiler had built-in screws requiring a precise template for drilling. Unable to find such a template, I decided to wait and see if anyone else shared a tutorial or guide oN Line. Unfortunately, no such resources appeared.

In the meantime, I installed the rear bumper diffuser with the exhaust tip cut-out. I purchased an N Line like exhaust tip from AliExpress since a similar exhaust tip wasn't available in India. I had it shipped to a friend in Dubai who then forwarded it to me, along with some small cosmetic items which I'll detail later. The bumper diffuser installation was straightforward. I removed the screws and clips, detached the rear bumper, and disconnected all associated wiring. When working on modifications involving clip removals, I usually order extra clips beforehand to avoid any potential rattling issues. This preparation was handy later when dealing with door panels, but it wasn't necessary for the bumper diffuser. After removing the stock diffuser, I installed the N Line diffuser. For the exhaust tip, I took it to a local welding shop to have it welded onto my stock exhaust. I also sprayed some 3M Silencer Coating on it to avoid the well-known Hyundai exhaust rusting issue in the future. Initially, I was concerned about the exhaust tip being slightly larger than the N Line tip, but over time, I grew to appreciate its more aggressive appearance.

Continue reading BHPian hasgardee's thread for more insights and information.

Average fuel economy of 12-14 kms in the city and 16-18 on the highways.

BHPian xway recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hello Everyone,

This is my first new thread that I am starting, MODs please move it to appropriate channel.

The History

I had a humble Maruti 800 which I had purchase in 2008, it was rocket but the most basic that a car can get. The car was so basic that it did not even have an AC. My mistake that I had stayed in Kolkata and later part for studies in Bangalore so AC was not missed in cars.

In Bangalore and Kolkata 800 was popular and was considered a middle class official economical car in that era, Delhi NCR had moved ahead in cars and people were spending more and getting bigger and better vehicles in comparision.

I had moved to Noida and was excited at the Job opportunity and a new environment feel of North India as it was amalgamation of cultures from Punjab, Haryana, UP and Delhi.

Not knowing the extreme weather here went to buy a car without any thought and picked up the cheapest of the lot not wanting to burden myself with loans and EMI.

The car served ok, was a rocket and mileage was a whopping 24kmpl. But the Delhi heat took its toll and became unbearable. Still continued using it for 4 years before upgrading.

Pros

- Whopping pickup due to light weight
- Very Small footprint, can zip in crowded streets and lanes
- Surprising large inside and can seat 4 comfortably well
- Economical to maintain, cheap spares and accessories
- Mileage put even some 2 wheelers to shame

Cons

- Basic
- Not even an iota of luxury
- Snob value missing, in those years cars started with Alto, anything lesser was not considered a car.
- Missing basic features most importantly an AC

I loved the car till i used it, had lent it to friends also who drove bigger vehicles and they too felt the rush when accelerator was pressed. Parking and getting into narrow lanes was done in a jiffy.

The Start

Year 2012 - Started my car research journey to upgrade from humble 800, there were no so many platforms unlike today at that time and research was limited. Came across T-BHP and got hooked. Went through reviews, reports on finding a Car suiting to my budget.

I had plans to upgrade from most basic 800 to the next segment.

The contenders were:

• Chevrolet Beat: At that time GM was active and had some good cars around. Beat offered good value for money but the shape and overall feel was missing so not shortlisted
• Ford Figo: Based on reviews was a great car and, ford was doing good at that time and Ecosport was available and loved it, but was way overbudget. Figo seemed too basic and black interior did not click with me.
• Maruti WagonR: Practical and a superhit car. Great space, mileage, economical to maintain and Maruti service and reliability. But since I had sat inside i10 with friends the interiors and looks were way above and hence decided to move to Hyundai.
• Hyundai i10: Was a super hit at that time and most executives had this in our office and happy about it. As mentioned the interior was great, but the version with all power windows and 1.2 vtvt engine was costing more.
• Hyundai i20: Enter i20, the Magna version was costing just 60K above the i10 and was segment higher and contained all power windows, great looks. Since I had been promoted to a Manager all my reportees were using i10 and Wagon R, so thought of going one level above and get an i20

My decision was made by the real reviews and feedbacks on this forum even before visiting any showrooms or any test drives. Though I did go to showrooms but no test drive were needed or taken.

I walked into the showroom and booked Silver i20 Magna all in a day.

Now in hindsight I believe one should always stretch a bit and go for a segment above so that you dont feel outdated and left out after some years. This car I happily used for 11 years now.

Now that I think of it, had I purchased a Wagon R or an i10 I would have needed to upgrade after a couple of years or max 5 years. Since I purchased i20 a segment higher that itch did not come and was contended with what the car offered.

Why Magna

i20 Magna did not come with a stereo system, there was an Option variant above this which had it and was a better value for money. I loved it but then I saw the price difference was 50K but actual difference was 70K.

Reason was that the Ex-showroom price of Magna was 4.99 lacs so RTO tax was 5% compared to 8% charged on Magna option.

Did not make sense to pay 20K extra in taxes just to get 50K worth of car.

So in the end finalized the i20 Magna Silver color and it had been a rewarding 11 years with it.

I am the person who loves the car interiors more than anything else, as I understand once you get inside a car, what you see and feel is what really matters.

Here are some Pics from a decade back

Since my i20 Magna did not have stereo, the scientist or engineer in me did one up and installed a tablet in the car. This was all by myself through research and development, and had not heard or seen anything of this sort ever.

That time there was not even a single car with touchscreen or anything even close to this.

I think I pioneered this thing which is now a feature in many cars.

I installed my Blackberry Playbook over 2 hooks, so that you can remove it after the drive and take it back with you.

The Tablet was connected to the third party stereo and speakers and did the job splendidly.

It would be an understatement to say that this became a highlight and people found this interior to be Merc/BMW class.

See for yourself

In Dark - My DIY Blackberry Playbook in i20 in Jan 2013.

With Lights on

Best angle shot. I still love it.

Another side.

Back side view. Still a beauty.

Side profile.

With lights. Mascara in the eyes.

Big grin but thin lipped, now prevalent in all EVs

Ownership review of i20

It was a rewarding experience and first 5 years I felt ahead of time with the touchscreen interiors and the new look i20 Magna, till the next facelift was launched.

Post that the car though did not look dated but was at par and drove around happily.

Travelled 94,000 Kms with it and was always happy and never got a cause to complain.

Pros:

• Mods that I did with Blackberry Playbook interiors made the car interior look plush and way ahead of time
• Standard interior quality was better than Ford, GM and Maruti
• Exterior looks with the thin smile and big grin both made the car stand out
• Maintenance was reasonable and no big spares or parts were required
• Fuss free ownership and no breakdowns other than some punctures
• Average fuel economy of 12-14 kms in the city and 16-18 in the highways.

Cons:

• Not the enthusiasts car by any means
• Pickup and power was limited and first feel after driving 800 was that I am dragging something huge with a lot of weight.
• Car stock interiors for Magna version did not come with bells and whistles
• Competitors cars like Swift offered better engine and mileage

2024 - The next - Coming up.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The AC works wonderfully and I am getting a fuel efficiency of 10.7 km/l as per the MID.

BHPian docprashant recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Initial thoughts after 3 days of driving in Mumbai traffic:

• Starry night color and the N line silhouette are a match made in heaven
• The build quality is reasonably good with no panel gaps or sheet flex
• Below 2k RPM feels slightly sluggish, one has to work the gearbox or modulate the throttle a bit
• Post 2k RPM is a different story and the car builds rapid momentum
• BOSE sound system is a true delight… be it punjabi bass heavy songs or country music, it's got you covered with crystal clear audio
• The AC works wonderfully (although it has been raining incessantly in Mumbai)
• The exhaust sounds naughty but alas it is audible only from the outside
• The MID is clear, the touchscreen infotainment is very sharp and lag free
• Seats provide decent bolstering even while moderately spirited cornering
• The best part is the driving dynamics, well sorted, with almost a European undertone to it
• The N steering looks and functions brilliantly
•  Getting ~10.7 kmpl (as per MID) after almost 150 kms of city driving in Mumbai
•  Swathes of hard black plastics (though of ok quality) is a dampener

P.S. I will try and post a detailed ownership review if time permits in the next couple of months.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.