The aforementioned contrast is precisely one of the reasons why most of such attempts end in failure – the strongest, probably. Companies such as Audi, GMC or Lotus built their entire images around the excellence they’ve acquired developing models of some particular categories. And those are what makes the idea of entering new markets look like sure success. The thing is, if they try that too hard, that image might fade away with time – and so the easy sales they used to make. Among other factors, Hyundai’s strategy is so interesting because its timing was excellent. When the ‘2008 Sonata rose, it started to release other vehicles as quickly as it could, all of them following the very same formula. This way, people would be much more likely to see it as a successful generalist maker, rather than a one-hit wonder.
This is why we’ve seen it entering or reaffirming itself in so many markets ever since. From Eon to Equus, Hyundai has invested in all-new projects of all styles and sizes, and all around the world. ix20 integrated this movement five years ago, but only in Europe: since the two-year-older i20 was prospering, the Koreans decided to keep attracting people by releasing a more practical sibling. ix20 was released as a compact minivan, a market category which had its heyday during the last decade. In nowadays, since most of their buyers were snatched by crossovers, you’ll only see them in that region: Hyundai’s vehicle can engage in direct competition with names such as Citroën C3 Picasso, Ford B-Max, Opel Meriva and, to some extent, Fiat Qubo.
Such lack of market share, added to its relatively short lifetime so far, is what made ix20 receive very few changes for its first facelift. To get an accurate notion of how small is this update, pay attention to the front fascia: the initial perception is that the minivan followed Hyundai’s latest design trend. However, if you compare it with a picture of the outgoing car, you’ll notice that only the grilles were changed. And if you look closer to both pictures, you’ll see that it wasn’t even completely changed – that horizontal bar was basically painted in black, and covered with those chrome strips in order to look like they’re a single air intake now. A single air intake which, to play along with the company’s intentions, is the latest expression of Fluidic Sculpture 2.0.
Other external changes included internal tweaks to the headlights, new wheels with 16” or 17”, and LEDs at the tail lights. Opening the doors reveals a new audio system, with iPod connectivity, 1 GB for personal storage, and AUX, Bluetooth, and USB connectivity. When it comes to engines, the gasoline range is made by a 1.4 liter good for 90 hp and 13.9 kgfm, and a 1.6-liter capable of 15.9 kgfm – the latter had its four-speed automatic transmission replaced by a six-speed. Switching to diesel, another 1.4 delivers 24.4 kgfm and either 77 or 90 hp, while another 1.6 gives 26.5 kgfm and either 115 or 128 hp. In these cases, you’ll only have a six-speed manual transmission. Hyundai ix20 should display its facelifted self in Europe dealershups in the next few months.