The Hyundai i20 is a popular family car; comfortable, spacious, and budget-friendly. This hatchback has a powerful petrol engine and is available in two transmission options: IVT and MT. Its 1.2 Kappa petrol engine delivers 88 ps at 6,000 rpm, ensuring fuel efficiency and unparalleled performance on the city streets. For buyers, the i20 mileage proves to be an essential consideration before deciding if that’s the right car for them.
This blog helps make decisions easier by providing extensive information on fuel efficiency. We will break down the types of engine and transmission options and how they affect the i20’s mileage in the long run.
Hyundai i20 Engine and Transmission Options
The Hyundai i20 is available in the following variants:
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- i20 Era
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- i20 Magna
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- i20 Sportz
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- i20 Asta
These models are available with a petrol engine (diesel is not available in the Hyundai i20).
Transmission Options:
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- Automatic
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- Manual
A petrol-based engine is known for its fuel dependency. However, the type of transmission plays a key role in determining the mileage in a real-world scenario.
An IVT model features advanced electronic controls for maximum fuel efficiency. However, with a manual transmission system, you might not be able to see the mileage like an IVT i20 model.
Claimed vs Real-World Mileage
ARAI-certified mileage
As per the ARAI test, the ideal mileage for the Hyundai i20 is:
| Transmission | Engine | ARAI Mileage |
| Manual | Petrol | 16 kmpl |
| Automatic | Petrol | 20 kmpl |
Real-world mileage feedback
Although the ARAI mileage showcases fuel efficiency, it is tested under controlled situations. The real-world mileage is determined by the users’ experience.
As per the feedback, the i20’s mileage ranges between 15.6 and 17.37 kmpl, depending on the variant and transmission system.
According to the reviews collected by other drivers,
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- City mileage: 14 to 16 kmpl
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- Highway mileage: 19 to 22 kmpl
On average, the Hyundai i20 delivers better mileage on the highway than on city streets.
The reason for this is the open roads of the expressways, which give you the opportunity to accelerate and not stop at red lights. However, driving in the city can be cumbersome due to constant congestion and stoplights, impacting the car’s fuel efficiency.
What Affects Hyundai i20’s Mileage in Daily Use?
The i20’s mileage depends on several factors, such as:
Traffic Conditions
Congested roads and traffic jams result in constant navigation between the accelerator and the brake. This stop-and-go practice results in increasing the engine load and hampering fuel efficiency.
For an ARAI test, the narrow streets and road conditions aren’t factored in, resulting in a better mileage assumption. Fuel efficiency is lower in real-world scenarios.
Aggressive Driving
Your driving habits significantly impact your fuel efficiency. Aggressive speed, quick acceleration, and sudden brake jerks lower the mileage. Therefore, city mileage is always lower compared to highway mileage. The roads are open and allow you to drive at a steady speed.
Road Gradients
The rise and fall of the road’s surface (gradient) plays a crucial role in determining fuel efficiency. Uphill roads require the engine to work harder, thus increasing fuel consumption. On the contrary, steep slopes reduce the pressure on the engine, resulting in better mileage.
AC Usage
Your AC requires the engine’s energy to operate smoothly, causing the latter to work harder. Since it’s a common practice to put your car’s air conditioning on full blast on a hot day, your mileage is negatively affected. Instead of adjusting the settings to the lowest, maintain an average temperature so your engine can work smoothly.
Maintenance Frequency
Everything requires servicing, and your car is no different. Without timely maintenance and repair, your vehicle wouldn’t perform up to its full extent. Components like engine oil, air filters, and oil filters can be used only up to a certain number of kilometres (approximately 10,000). Afterwards, they require a change. Otherwise, there will be a negative impact on the car’s performance and fuel efficiency.
Variant-Wise Mileage Comparison
The Hyundai i20 mileage is different for every variant, depending on its transmission system, power, and torque. Here’s an overview of the same:
| Variant | Transmission | Torque | User-based Mileage |
| i20 Era | Manual | 114.7 Nm @ 4200 rpm | 19 kmpl |
| i20 Magna | Automatic | 114.7 Nm @ 1500 rpm | 15 kmpl |
| i20 Sportz | Manual | 114.7 Nm @ 4200 rpm | 17 kmpl |
| i20 Asta (O) | Manual | 114.7 Nm @ 4200 rpm | 17.65 kmpl |
How to Improve Hyundai i20 Mileage?
The everyday mileage of your i20 might keep fluctuating. However, there are a few strategic habits you can implement to improve fuel efficiency and derive maximum performance.
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- Follow a Maintenance Schedule
Regular servicing is a vital part of taking care of your car. It helps maintain engine health and reduce fuel consumption. Ensure that you get your vehicle serviced after every 1 year or when the distance covered reaches 10,000 km. The service tasks include oil filter, air filter, engine oil change, and spark plug check.
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- Check for Tyre Inflation Levels
Running your i20 with under-inflated tyres can increase rolling resistance, thus putting more pressure on the engine and burning more fuel. It is always recommended to get your car’s tyres checked regularly to maintain an optimum inflation level.
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- Refrain from Aggressive Driving
Rash driving and constantly switching between the brake and accelerator pedals put excess load on the engine. This practice burns more fuel and isn’t an economical habit in the long run. So, it’s always recommended to be gentle on the accelerator and avoid sudden jerks. Try going through routes which do not involve hard braking or excessive idle times.
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- Minimise the Load
Carrying an extensive load in the car puts pressure on the engine, resulting in an increased fuel burn. Avoid storing heavy loads in the boot and remove items that aren’t required at the moment.
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- Plan Your Trips
Excessive go-and-stop lights and short trips result in constant shifting from accelerate to brake and vice versa. Plan your trips by taking the shorter route to avoid congestion, and try to combine multiple errands in a single run.
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- Monitor Fuel Consumption
Keep a check on the mileage and fuel consumption to understand if there is a continuous fluctuation. In such situations, you should change your maintenance and driving habits. Also, a sudden dip in fuel efficiency might indicate that the car requires maintenance. It’s always a good idea to get it checked.
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- Stick to Speed Range
Frequent acceleration or change of speed forces the engine to perform rigorously and consume more fuel. You can derive the best mileage by regularly maintaining a driving speed of 60 to 80 km/hr. Avoid unnecessary overtaking and maintain a steady speed for improved performance.
Summary
Your car’s fuel efficiency isn’t just about saving money. It is also about driving smartly and maintaining your engine’s performance. Simple improvements in your driving and maintenance habits can play a significant role in boosting i20’s mileage. However, the hatchback is still suitable for families looking for good fuel efficiency on the roads, especially the expressways.
