Turning on the headlights
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When the original Hyundai i20 went on sale in 2008, its main mission was low-cost motoring - similar to what Dacia offers today in the Sandero. Over the years the i20 has got a little less cheap but significantly more cheerful, and still offers great value for money thanks to high equipment levels - and that’s even more the case if you’re buying a used one.
It ticks most of the boxes for a modern supermini, being spacious, well-built, affordable to run, and good to drive - or outstanding to drive, in the case of the i20N hot hatchback. The i20 is easy to find on the used market, so we’ve covered the model in more detail below, concentrating on the latest generation, post-2020 models.
The Hyundai i20 will appeal to supermini buyers looking for value. While there are definitely cheaper models out there, few come as well-equipped right from the bottom of the range, and even the base engine in the i20 is a peppy 100-horsepower turbocharged unit. This means even the cheapest i20 feels more like a mid-range model from some rivals.
The 2020-on i20 also has striking styling, shown off to best effect by the i20N hot hatchback - Hyundais might have had bland styling in the past, but the i20 really stands out. The interior is nicely-styled too, and while it contains all the equipment you’d expect (such as a touchscreen infotainment system), the layout is straightforward and everything is very easy to use, and both rear-seat and boot space are competitive too.
Unsurprisingly, it’s the i20N that sets the standard for handling, being one of the most entertaining small cars around. The regular i20 though is still nicely set up, with predictable and responsive handling and a ride quality that deals with most bumps without feeling too floaty or imprecise. Long gearing takes some of the sparkle out of those turbocharged engines, but means relaxed, low-noise cruising.
The i20 goes head to head in the market with cars like the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa, Volkswagen Polo, and Renault Clio. Most are a little better to drive, and some offer bargain-basement models that are cheaper to insure (or in the case of the Corsa, a fully-electric one that’s cheaper to tax too), but the i20 is still a good buy. Only the Fiesta offers a comparable performance variant to the i20N too, the Fiesta ST.
If you’ve got any driving enthusiast blood coursing through you then the i20N is one of the most appealing hot hatchbacks of recent years, and a bit of a bargain too - but we suspect most people reading this will be looking to buy something a little less spicy. That being the case, your choice is slightly limited by the 120PS version of Hyundai’s 1-litre engine only being offered in semi-sporty N Line trim - the rest of the range gets the 100PS engine, so it’s that or nothing. Even basic SE Connect trim is worth considering though, with generous equipment levels from the off.
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The Hyundai i20’s exterior dimensions are:
The Hyundai i20’s boot capacity is:
As the petrol i20 range has mild hybrid assistance, that’s enough to qualify it for a modest £10 discount on the i20’s VED, for a £180 yearly bill. The i20N’s tax seems like good value though at £190, considering its extra performance over the hybrids. Of course, you’ll spend more on insurance, fuel, and to buy it in the first place…
A healthy list of safety features helps the i20 range to insurance group ratings of between 12-16, though it’s worth noting that some rivals, notably those with less powerful entry-level models, still start much lower. The group 27 rating for the i20N isn’t out of the ordinary for a car in this class - the Fiesta ST goes from groups 28-30.
£12,663
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How many Hyundai i20 cars are available for sale?
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