Should you buy a Hyundai i20?

Quite possibly. The argument to buy a Hyundai i20 is stronger than ever now the Ford Fiesta has been discontinued and this supermini comes with a number of merits. Priced from around £22k, and rising to £26k it’s not the bargain it once was, but when you consider the equipment levels, it’s competitive. It doesn’t quite make our list of best small cars, mind, so make sure you give that a read before making a decision.

The best value in the i20 line-up is at the bottom with the Advance trim level, which should get you all the equipment you need, including a large touchscreen, air conditioning and a reversing camera. Hyundai could have perhaps pushed its changes with this latest model further, and elements such as a cheap-feeling interior prohibit it from being a class leader.

What is it?

20

The Hyundai i20 is the South Korean manufacturer’s answer to the Ford Fiesta and is one of the smallest models in the brand’s UK line-up . It’s recently had a facelift with the latest update predominantly focusing on style. 

Changes for 2024 include a new grille and bumper to give the i20 a bolder appearance – not that it didn’t stand out already in its latest third generation. Various new colours and wheel designs are also introduced, while more equipment and connectivity upgrades are introduced. 

It’s a fairly small update, admittedly, but given the third-generation i20, introduced in 2020, was such a significant step forward compared to its predecessor, Hyundai didn’t have to push the boat out too far with this latest iteration. 

The South Korean firm has also reduced the number of engines available, with only a single turbocharged petrol model available, with the previous mild-hybrid unit no longer sold in the UK. Hyundai has also recently stopped European production of its i20 N hot hatch as the firm focuses instead on performance electric cars in the region. 

20

In terms of equipment, entry-level Advance models come with 16-inch alloy wheels and LED front and rear lights. You also get air conditioning, a reversing camera and a 10.25-inch touchscreen with digital dials of the same size. 

The mid-range Premium trim adds 64-colour ambient lighting, climate control, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. At the top of the range is the Ultimate, which brings a Bose sound system, sunroof, keyless entry and blind spot monitoring, which is a lot of equipment for a supermini. But regardless of which i20 you go for, you’ll get a lot for your money. 

Read on for our detailed review of the Hyundai i20. Over the next few pages, we’ll discuss the supermini’s practicality, comfort, running costs and driving experience, before offering an overall verdict on the car. If you’re curious to learn more about how we reached the star ratings on the next page, check out how we test cars.