When Hyundai->ke201 first showcased the heavily redesigned 2015 Hyundai i20 in August 2014, little did we know the hatchback->ke304 was slated to receive to additional versions (not counting the 2016 Hyundai i20 WRC rally car). In only 12 months, Hyundai expanded the i20 lineup to include two new body styles -- a perched, crossover->ke288-like model and a three-door. But while a three-door version is far from surprising given the first-gen car had one two, the new model is actually more of a coupe->ke141 than a traditional three-door hatch. It's probably why Hyundai launched it as a separate model and named it the i20 Coupe.

Although the i20 doesn't benefit from the notoriety of its main European rivals, the Volkswagen Polo->ke322 and the Ford Fiesta->ke1170, it's quite astonishing that it has evolved into a full lineup of cars in only seven years on the market. Not to mention that it's also the base of a race car->ke148 with increasingly better results in the World Rally Championship->ke523.

The fact that the i20 Coupe was developed as a smaller proposition to the 2016 Hyundai Veloster rather than a three-door hatch is also surprising, but it seems Hyundai isn't kidding when it comes to tackling more and more car niches. But is the i20 Coupe good enough to give the three-door Volkswagen Polo a run for its money? Come find out in my review below.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2015 Hyundai i20 Coupe.

2015 Hyundai i20 Coupe

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Hyundai i20 Coupe
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 82 @ 6000
  • Torque: 89 @ 4000
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

Although I found the previous i20 to be rather dull and... well... too Asian looking for the European market, I think that the new hatch is one of the better looking models in its class. If I were in the market for a subcompact right now I'd find it hard to choose between the i20 and the Fiesta, but I'd definitely take the Hyundai over the Polo.

It's that good (to my eyes) and the coupe treatment makes it that much better.

The best thing about it is that the "Coupe" in its moniker is more than just a name or a marketing scheme. As I previously mentioned, the i20 Coupe is not a shorter, three-door version of the standard hatch. Nope. We're looking at a raked roofline, a significantly smaller rear glass, and a pair of seriously flared rear fenders (for a subcompact, obviously). And that's on top of the redesigned front intake and bumpers.

The intake is bigger and more aggressive, the i20's standard grille has been narrowed to a thin stripe, while the bumper has been reshaped into a sportier element. The rear haunches are pretty big for a car this size, making the i20 Coupe nearly as aggressive as the Veloster when seen from the back. The slightly beefed-up side skirts are also a sign that Hyundai wanted to give its customers an affordable coupe with sporty features rather than yet another three-door hatch.

In today's market, when almost everyone is busy reducing costs by sharing everything, Hyundai did the exact opposite. Well done!

Exterior Dimensions

Overall length

4,045 MM (159.25 Inches)

Overall width

1,730 (excluding door mirrors) MM (68.11 Inches)

Overall height

1,449 MM (57.04 Inches)

Wheelbase

2,570 MM (101.18 Inches)

Ground clearance

140 MM (5.51 Inches)

Front overhang

815 MM (32.08 Inches)

Rear overhang

660 MM (25.98 Inches)


Interior

Not the same can be said about the interior though, as the Coupe is identical to the hatchback from the B-pillar onward. But that's not surprising and as far as I'm concerned not an issue. That's because the i20's cabin is a significant improvement over the previous model, sporting improved plastics, a modern layout, and better placed buttons and controls.

Sure, the rear seat is a bit cramped compared to the hatchback's with less legroom and shoulder room, but, other than that, anything you get in the i20 can be had in the Coupe. Highlights include a heated steering wheel, a rear-view camera, automatic windshield defogging, Lane Departure Warning, and a big sunroof.

Hyundai says that the new rear end design allowed it to increase the i20's boot capacity by 10 liters (0.35 cubic feet), giving the Coupe a class-leading capacity of 336 liters (11.8 cubic feet). At least there's a bright side to the cramped rear seats.

Interior Dimensions

Front

Rear

Head room

1,015 MM (39.96 Inches)

940 MM (37.00 Inches)

Leg room

1,098 MM (43.22 Inches)

794 MM (31.25 Inches)

Shoulder room

1,377 MM (54.21 Inches)

1,337 MM (52.63 Inches)

Hip room

1,324 MM (52.12 Inches)

125 MM (4.92 Inches)


Drivetrain

Motivation for the i20 Coupe comes from two engines, both shared with the i20. First up is the gasoline, 1.2-liter, four-cylinder rated at 82 horsepower and 89 pound-feet of torque. With this unit under the hood, the coupe needs 13.1 seconds to hit 62 mph from a standing start and reaches a top speed of 105 mph. Far from impressive.

The second mill is a 1.4-liter diesel also displacing four cylinders. Output sits at 88 horses and 177 pound-feet of torque, returning a 0-to-62 mph sprint of 12.1 seconds and a top speed of 108 mph. Both engines mate to either five- or six-speed manual transmissions, meaning there's no automatic option like on the i20 hatch.

While it won't receive the hatchback's 98-horsepower, 1.4-liter gasoline engine, the i20 Coupe will benefit from Hyundai's new 1.0-liter, three-cylinder later in 2015. The turbocharged three-banger will be available in two power outputs -- a 98-horsepower and 126-pound-feet version aimed at maximizing fuel efficiency and a 118-horsepower variant for more spirited driving. The latter should enable the coupe to hit 62 mph in a little over 10 seconds and charge toward a top speed of 114 mph.

Drivetrain Specifications

1.25-litre 84 ps

1.4-litre 90 ps

Type

Kappa, 4 cylinders in line, DOHC, with dual CVVT

U-II, 4 cylinders in line

Capacity

1,248 cc

1,396 cc

Bore x stroke

71,0 x 78,8 mm

75 x 79 mm

Compression ratio

10,5

16,0

Power

82 HP @ 6,000 RPM

88 HP @ 4,000 RPM

Torque

89 LB-FT @ 4,000 RPM

177 LB-FT @ 1,500 – 2,500 RPM

Maximum speed

170 KM/H (105 MPH)

175 KM/H (108 MPH)

0-to-100 km/h acceleration

13.1 seconds

12.1 seconds


Safety

The i20 Active comes with the same safety features as the standard i20, meaning it sports six airbags and driving aids such as Lane Departure Warning, Vehicle Stability Management, Electronic Stability Program, Anti-Lock Brakes, and Hill-Start Assist.

Prices

In the United Kingdom, prices for the i20 Coupe start from £13,025 (about $20,200) for the gasoline model and from £15,025 (around $23,300) for the diesel version, which is identical to the i20 hatch in the same market. For the Sport trim with navigation the sticker climbs to £14,700 (about $22,800) and £16,700 (around $25,900), respectively.

UK Prices

Model

CO2 emissions (g/km)

VED Band

On-the-road price

SE 1.2 Petrol (84PS)

119

C

£13,025

SE 1.4 CRDi (90PS)

106

B

£15,025

Sport 1.2 Petrol (84PS)

119

C

£14,025

Sport 1.4 CRDi (90PS)

106

B

£16,025

Sport Nav 1.2 Petrol (84PS)

119

C

£14,700

Sport Nav 1.4 CRDi (90PS)

106

B

£16,700


Competitors

2015 Volkswagen Polo

The car to beat in this segment, the Polo is available with a variety of gasoline and diesel engines, starting with a 1.0-liter three-pot rated at 59 horsepower and 70 pound-feet of torque. At the other end of the lineup is a 1.4-liter TSI that cranks out 148 horses. A 1.4-liter TDI diesel with 89 horses and 170 pound-feet delivers more torque and better fuel economy. The German hatch starts from £11,300 (about $17,525) in the U.K. and costs £18,900 (around $29,310) before options in the sporty GTI trim.

Find out more about the Volkswagen Polo here.

2014 Ford Fiesta

The 2014 Ford Fiesta is like Ford’s->ke31 wolf in sheep’s clothing. It looks rather pedestrian when you first glance at it, but once you understand its all-around potential, you’re going to realize why it's such a special car. Especially the three-door version. No fewer than five engines are available on most markets, including the naturally aspirated 1.6-liter four-banger, the 1.0-liter EcoBoost, and the 1.5-liter TDCi diesel. Output ranges from the 79 to 123 horses. The Fiesta retails from £10,145 (about $15,735) in base trim and fetches as much as £16,445 (around $25,500) with the Titanium X package. A well-equipped version of the performance-oriented ST can cost around £20,000 (about $31,015).

Read more about the Ford Fiesta here.

Conclusion

I don't say this too often about a Hyundai, but the i20 Coupe is a cool car. I just love how Hyundai managed to turn the five-door hatch into a proper coupe and bring something different to the market in a rather bold move to tackle the popular Polo and Fiesta. My only beef is that the i20 Coupe isn't as quick and aggressive as its design suggests, but the upcoming turbocharged three-cylinder should give it the extra oomph it needs. A performance-oriented version wearing the "N" badge would make it that much better, but I don't see it happening too soon. If you're in the market for a supermini that's different than the rest, the i20 Coupe is the way to go!