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HB20 Invades Argentina With Engine That Brazil Discarded and Prices That Impress! With Cutting-Edge Technology and Millionaire Prices, the Hatch Promises to Divide Opinions in the Neighboring Market. Do You Think It’s Worth It?
A model that made history in Brazil now crosses borders and lands in Argentina.
But what makes this news intriguing is that the HB20 arrives in Argentina equipped with an engine that has already been discarded in the Brazilian market.
Nevertheless, the values practiced in the neighboring country catch attention and promise to heat up the debate about the cost-benefit of the car in different markets.
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What Does the HB20 Bring to Argentina?
The HB20, which was developed exclusively for Brazil, is a milestone for Hyundai. Its name, “Hyundai Brazil 20”, makes it clear that the project aimed to meet the demands of Brazilian consumers.
Now, for the first time, it arrives in the Argentine market. The big news, however, is in the engine.
There, the hatch will be offered with a Gamma 1.6 four-cylinder gasoline engine, without turbo and with variable valve timing, an option that was no longer used in Brazil in 2022.
This discontinuation occurred due to new pollution emission standards that will come into effect in Brazil in January 2025.
In Argentina, the model will be sold with two transmission options: a six-speed manual or an automatic with torque converter, both with front-wheel drive.
Why Is the HB20 Only Now Arriving in Argentina?
Hyundai justified the delay in exporting the model to Argentina with three main reasons:
Limited production capacity at the Brazilian factory, located in Piracicaba, São Paulo;
Difficulties in accessing the dollar, faced in the past by the Argentine economy;
Import restrictions imposed by the Argentine government, which hampered the entry of new models into the local market.
Interestingly, the Hyundai Creta SUV, produced in the same factory in Piracicaba, has been sold in Argentina for years, equipped with the same 1.6 aspirated engine that now comes with the HB20.
Available Equipment and Versions in Argentina
The HB20 will initially be sold as a five-door hatch, but the expectation is that, by 2025, the Argentine market will also receive the sedan version, the HB20S.
Standard, the Argentine model will have six airbags in all versions. The more complete models will feature the “Smart Sense” package, which includes:
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (FCA);
- Lane Keeping Assist (LFA);
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCCA);
- Blind Spot Assistant (BCA);
- Door Opening Risk Alert System (Safe Exit).
These features enhance the vehicle’s safety, positioning it as a technological and competitive option in the Argentine market.
Millionaire Prices in Argentina!
The prices of the HB20 in Argentina draw attention, especially when converted to reais:
| Version | Price in Pesos | Price in Reais (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort Plus 1.6 Manual | 21.450.000 | R$ 124.000 |
| Comfort Plus 1.6 Automatic | 24.050.000 | R$ 139.244 |
| Platinum Safety Automatic | 27.300.000 | R$ 158.000 |
Meanwhile, in Brazil, the HB20 is sold with 1.0 aspirated or 1.0 turbo engines, options that meet new environmental requirements.
The HB20 and Its Journey in Brazil
Launched in 2012 as a South American alternative to the Hyundai i20, the HB20 stood out in the Brazilian market for its modern design and internal space, inspired by the i30 of the time.
Its popularity made it one of the best-selling cars in the country.
With constant updates, the HB20 started to offer more technology and comfort over the years.
The version exported to Argentina, however, uses a configuration that is no longer sold in Brazil, showing how market demands can differ.
HB20 in Argentina: Success or Controversy?
The arrival of the HB20 in Argentina promises to stir the market and generate debates about the choices made by Hyundai. Will Argentine consumers approve of the model with the engine retired in Brazil?
Share Your Opinion! What do you think of Hyundai’s strategy to export the HB20 with a discontinued engine?
O motor antigo é durável, resistente. Esse que equipa o hb20 brasileiro é descartável, correia do comando de borracha banhada a óleo, uma joç4 tão grande que os hermanos jamais aceitariam.
O motor 1.6 Gamma é infinitamente mais confiável e durável que o 3 cilindros turbo Kappa que está sendo colocado no Brasil. Em alguns anos vamos enfrentar um cenário bem desafiador no Brasil, com carros caríssimo de motores descartáveis, que inviabilizam retifica e, ainda por cima, trabalham acima do limite da capacidade. Essa nova lei visa proteção ambiental, porém carros que duram 4, 5 anos são um problema imenso que parece que ninguém considera.
O escritor, o 1.6 e o melhor motor dos 3 que a hynday tem no brasil