Hyundai i20 review

Hyundai’s answer to the Ford Fiesta (RIP), Seat Ibiza, Skoda Fabia, Suzuki Swift, Peugeot 208, Vauxhall Corsa, and VW Polo. It’s certainly a more striking car than the one it replaced, which was a nice enough thing but really quite tedious to look at, sit in and drive.

New Hyundai is all about bold styling, smart interiors and high-tech. It wants you to want its cars, not just buy one on the strength of its five-year warranty (which is still a thing, by the way). Hence, in Hyundai’s words, the i20’s newfound “dynamic style” is meant to give it some “emotional value”.

Bring me up to speed then...

This third generation arrived in 2020, and it was also treated to a mid-life facelift in 2023. You know the drill: new front bumper, revised grille, fancy lights, bigger wheels, more colour options… and that was about it. As the old adage goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Your only engine option is a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder outputting 88bhp. It gets 48-volt mild-hybrid tech and an “intelligent” six-speed manual gearbox (or seven-speed dual-clutch auto) that together deliver a small but welcome reduction in CO2 and fuel consumption.

It’s five-door only, because nobody buys three-door hatchbacks anymore, and loaded with kit to keep you a) connected and b) safe.

This all sounds far too positive. Is the cabin any good?

If the i20 has any pitfalls, this is probably it. The cost cutting is very evident in places thanks to a lot of hard scratchy plastics, and the overall feel is one of durability than premiumness (if that's not a word, it should be). Feels a little dated too. Makes a Peugeot 208 look like a spaceship.

There’s seating for five, and you get dual 10.25in digital dial and touchscreen displays – plus dedicated climate controls. All positives.

How much will one of these cost me then?

Prices start at just over £20k for entry-level versions, rising to £24k for the range-toppers. That’s pretty much on par with everything else. Spenny, eh?

It’d be remiss of us not to at least give a nod to the truly excellent i20N here – TopGear’s Performance Car of the Year and Overall Car of the Year in 2021 – which sadly met its maker back in 2023. It’s much missed. But lives on in the classifieds.

A big improvement over the old car, in that you might actually remember it. It looks the part and is as good to drive as any in its class – now the Fiesta is gone, of course.

Moreover the 1.0-litre engine and high-tech manual transmission are impressive, the cabin is practical – particularly the boot – and the level of kit on offer is very good.

Our only complaints are the slightly firm ride (that’s the price you pay for making it a better steer) and the cabin is slightly under par in places. Overall though it's a solid effort.