Refresh heralds sportier look for i20 hatch

Hyundai gives supermini improved tech for mid-life facelift | UK engine line-up and prices to be revealed later this year

- Alastair Crooks

THE supermini segment is shrinking, A Fiesta, and Volkswagen's Polo facing an uncertain future. But Hyundai is persevering in what is still one of the most popular sectors of the car market and has released a new version of its i20 five-door hatchback.

The third-generation i20 arrived in 2020, so this year's update is right on schedule. Hyundai has given the i20 plenty of exterior tweaks to sharpen its looks. At the front there's a new radiator grille and the Hyundai 'H' badge has been relocated above the grille ahead of the bonnet. The bumper has been restyled and features air intakes at its extremes and a lower lip for a sportier look.

New designs of 16 and 17-inch wheels are available, too, while at the rear the i20 features Z-shaped LED lamp units to go with the sharp lighting signature at the front. The rear bumper has also been updated to feature a more prominent diff-userstyle insert, reinforcing the new car's generally sportier styling.