After much ado, the long awaited diesel version of the Hyundai's large hatchback has finally arrived. Priyadarshan Bawikar takes the i20 CRDi for a spin and tries to figure out whether it was worth the wait

Verdict: Almost there

So at a price of between Rs. 6.19lakh for the Magna to Rs. 7.20lakh for the Asta with the sunroof (ex-showroom Delhi), just what do you get? Well, you get a car that has the interior space and comfort of a sedan, the practicality of a hatchback, distinct European styling, a good bit of performance and mileage and fabulous handling which we just can't say enough about. One very important aspect of this car, and one that very few of us consider when making a buying decision is that of safety. The Hyundai i20 is among the very few cars available in India that comes with a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating, making it one of the safest vehicles on the road today.

Sadly, the feeble drivability at low-rpm and the stiff ride water down what could have been a car perfect in nearly every way. Still, if you don't mind shifting gears to keep the revs up and trading ride quality for excellent handling dynamics, this might just be the car for you. Strange as it may sound, this large family hatch actually has more of an enthusiast appeal to it. Sure, it's not exactly cheap as its price is eking into the sedan segment. But after the launch of the Honda Jazz, the i20's price doesn't seem that high anymore, does it?