So without wasting any time, should you go and buy the Hyundai i20 or wait for some time to buy the Hyundai Exter SUV? What should you do? Why don’t we help in figuring this out by doing a comparing these two against each other to search for that answer!
From the front, it has flat bonnet with a big Hyundai logo on it and the three-tier design nose. It has H-shaped LED DRLs that are connected via a black strip that could possibly be a connected LED light bar for the top variant. The headlamps are square shape that are projector headlamps and could be an LED for top variants. Then there is the body cladding finished in matte black all over the car to contribute towards the Exter’s looks. Moving to the side, you’ll realize the SUV has boxy shape. The doors seems to be big to accommodate easy in’s and out’s of the SUV. The alloy wheels, roof rails, and A and B-pillars has the dual-tone treatment. It has an upright tailgate with the rear windshield slightly tilted, shark fin antenna at the top, small roof-spoiler, flat and tall rear bumper with dual-tone finished. The taillamps has an H-shaped in them with a big black panel with big Hyundai logo at the center, it could feature connected LED light bar for the taillamps in top variants.
As you can see at the front of the Hyundai i20, it has blacked out front grille with rectangular block design and sleek LED headlamps with LED DRLs inside the headlamps and the bumpers finished in black as well. Moving to the side, it creases to give it a sportier look with 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels and chrome line running through the window frame. At the rear, it has Z-shaped LED taillamps with a chrome line joining the taillamps and shark fin antenna at the top.
As for the Exter, it’ll have the 8-inch infotainment system that’ll be free-standing stand out on the dashboard with two-spoke multi-function steering wheel with digital instrument cluster. The gear selector will not be placed between the two front seats but instead it will be integrated with the console which will be positioned slightly vertically for each reach. The door handles are finished in chrome and ambient lighting.
As for the i20, it has 10.25-inch infotainment system placed above the AC vents and the AC vents are designed like the dashboard design to give it that seamless look. The Infotainment system is integrated with the digital instrument cluster and has the four-spoke multi-function steering wheel. It also has the dual-tone dashboard theme option as well. It has sliding armrest with air purifier. It has two USB ports at the front and the rear. The rear seats are split in 60:40 ratio.
As for the dimensions of the both the Hyundai Models, expect the Exter length to be around 3800mm, width of 1595mm, and height of 1575mm with a 2400mm wheelbase. It’ll have fuel tank of 35 litres and ground clearance of 170mm. The i20 measures 3995mm in length, 1775mm in width, and height of 1505mm with a wheelbase of 2580mm. It has a fuel tank of 37 litres and ground clearance of 190mm.
So, in dimensions, we did know the i20 was going to be bigger than the Exter SUV.
| Hyundai Exter | Hyundai i20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.2-litre Kappa Engine | 1.2-litre Kappa Engine |
| Displacement | 1197cc | 1197cc |
| Power | 81.8 bhp | 81.8 bhp |
| Torque | 113.8 Nm | 113.74 Nm |
| Transmission | 5-speed MT, 5-speed AMT | 5-speed MT, IVT |
When it comes to engine options, both the Hyundai models will be powered by the same 1.2-litre Kappa petrol engine with the power output of 81.8 bhp and 113.8 Nm of torque output in Exter and 1113.74 Nm of torque output in i20. However, the Exter will have the 5-speed Manual and 5-speed Automatic Gearbox. The i20 will have the 5-speed Manual and IVT Gearbox on offer.
| Hyundai i20 | |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.0-litre turbo-petrol |
| Displacement | 998cc |
| Power | 118.41 bhp |
| Torque | 171.62 Nm |
| Transmission | 7-speed DCT |
Other than the petrol engines, i20 has one more option as well. The i20 has the 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine which produces 118.41 bhp and 171.62 Nm of torque paired to a 7-speed DCT Transmission and no Manual Transmission on offer.
| Hyundai Exter | |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.2-litre Bi-Fuel (CNG) |
| Displacement | 1197 |
| Power | 67.72 bhp |
| Torque | 95.2 Nm |
| Transmission Type | 5-speed MT |
The Exter doesn’t have a turbo engine on offer, but it has a CNG engine on offer. The Exter has a 1.2-litre Bi-Fuel (CNG) engine that puts out 67.72 bhp and 95.2 Nm of torque mated to a 5-speed Manual Gearbox only, no Automatic Gearbox on offer.
Hyundai Exter will come with numerous features such as digital instrument cluster, 8-inch infotainment system, automatic climate control, wireless charging, sunroof, rear AC vents, Type-C USB Charging ports both front and rear, voice control, ambient lighting, cruise control, cooled glovebox, connected car tech, height adjustable driver seat, and 15-inch alloy wheels. In safety, it’ll come equipped with six airbags, ABS with EBD, Tyre-Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), hill-hold assist, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), ISOFIX anchorages, and reverse-parking camera with sensors.
Hyundai i20 also comes with numerous features such as digital instrument cluster, 10.25-inch infotainment system, automatic climate control, cruise control, ambient lighting, wireless charging, sunroof, USB charging ports both front and rear, cooled glovebox, 16-inch alloy wheels, voice controls, rear AC vents, leather seat upholstery, connected car tech, and height adjustable driver seat. In safety, it has six airbags, reverse parking camera with sensors, ABS with EBD, Tyre-Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), hill-hold assist, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and ISOFIX anchorages.
| Model | Price (ex-showroom) |
|---|---|
| Hyundai Exter | Expected Rs. 6 lakh |
| Hyundai i20 | Rs. 7.46 lakh – Rs. 11.88 lakh |
The Hyundai i20 is priced at Rs. 7.46 lakh for the entry-level, ‘Magna’ variant, and goes up to Rs. 11.88 lakh for the top variant, ‘Asta (O) Turbo DCT DT’ variant. As for the Exter, it is expected to start at Rs. 6 lakh.
In the end, the questions remains is, should you buy i20 or wait for the Exter? Well, you can buy the i20 if you want given that it is bigger in dimensions hence, more space and comfort than the Exter, and loaded with features and safety tech as well. It also has a powerful engine over the Exter offering great performance. However, if you’re looking for an SUV smaller than the i20, affordable, and possible has good fuel efficiency similar to the i20, then Exter is the right choice for you and it’s worth waiting for a little while.