Hyundai Eon review, test drive

We got our hands on any new Hyundai small car, Eon. And here are our first impressions, from Namyang, what a car is extremely impressive.

Previously known by its code name of HA, the baby hatch will compete with the likes of the Alto and the A-Star and is expected to take a huge chunk of the market share of Maruti. Heavily carved and richly detailed, Eon has certainly looks to accomplish this. The modern fluid makes it look like anything but a car at low cost. The wheel arches and the shoulder line are so complex, you would have to go all the way to something like a Mercedes-Benz CLS to see something similar. There is a hint of Hyundai hexagonal radiator grille and the place is attractive with Eon headlights chrome detailing as well.

Like all compact sedan from Hyundai, Eon is built around a 2380mm wheelbase. But this car is even shorter in length than the Santro and is lighter too. The intelligent use of steel with a variable thickness makes the Aeon both reasonably rigid and light. And 715 795 kg, it is as light as Maruti Alto, which is saying something. The interior, which reminds you a well-equipped out-i10, small shelves are full of intelligent and lockers. The car is also well equipped - it features a CD player, USB audio, remote locking, a shift indicator on the instrument panel and tilt steering.
With the steeply raked windshield to the front and short, space is at a premium. And fuel to the fire is space for luggage, which is important for this class of car. Starting, dimensionally similar to the Santro, holds 215 liters of luggage. This means knee space for rear passengers is tight, especially when there is a big driver at the wheel.

Sitting upright, however, allows rear passengers to place their feet under the front seats. A thigh support is good enough and has enough space too. The best place to sit, of course, is at the front. The space is generous and the seats are big enough and support.

The Aeon is powered by a three-cylinder version of the Santro engine Irde, and 814cc and 56bhp, it seems to have a reasonable amount of pep. Hyundai has not managed to get the refinement of the three-cylinder unit to the right. In the car we drove, there was a certain amount of vibration at idle. The engine felt thrummy at times and if it has smoothed up nicely when on the move, the top end felt a little tense too. However, the engine has plenty of performance from the mid high, and Eon has sufficient power to the conditions most city.

Stability was also surprisingly good on our short drive to the technical center Namyang in Korea, with the feeling of Eon agile and quick in turning corners. With a management system of the generator, light and efficient engine, Hyundai claims 21.1kpl - something that will go a long way in improving the attractiveness of this car. Now all we need is the right price.

Posted in: Hyundai