• Clever infotainment system for a small car
• Large touchscreen and digital dials included as standard
• Interior quality could be better

How is the quality and the layout?

Passable and excellent, in that order. Some of the interior plastics (such as the door handles and the door bins) feel cheap and nasty, which is no longer passable on small cars like it once was. However, Hyundai has pumped its money into items that really matter, such as the infotainment system.

The controls are well laid-out, too. We found the most important knobs and switches within the space of two minutes, which isn’t as easy as you’d think in a modern car. Hyundai also opted for physical climate controls with the i20 rather than having a sub-menu on the infotainment system. They work great – and they’re a lot easier to use on the road. Even the latest Volkswagen Polo now uses a slightly irritating touch panel for the climate menu. 

The two-tone interior colour scheme on the Ultimate model has divided opinions in the office, though. Some reckon the grey lower dashboard panel adds a welcome splash of colour to the i20’s cabin, while others think it cheapens the overall finish.

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The plastics look fine on camera – but up close they look and feel remarkably similar to the sort of materials you’ll find in a Kia from the 1990s. The solid black finish on the i20 N Line’s dashboard does a better job of hiding the plastic’s humble roots. The N-Line’s interior in general is a noticeable improvement, with its various red detailing and sports seats helping to lift the cabin.

Infotainment and tech

Here’s where Hyundai splashed the cash. Every version of the i20 comes with a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster as well as a large 10.25-inch touchscreen, which is now standard as part of this latest update. 

While neither are especially cutting-edge, they each work well and are easy and quick to use. While both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included as standard, each requires a wired connection whereas many rivals like the Vauxhall Corsa and Volkswagen Polo are now wireless.

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Comfort

The i20’s driving position is quite accommodating. There’s plenty of adjustment in the steering column and the seat, which allows tall drivers to get a comfortable distance from the pedals without overextending their arms for the wheel. The only thing missing is lumbar adjustment, although the seats have some lower back support built into them.

You get plenty of space in the back, too – more than enough to allow tall drivers and tall passengers to make the same journey without complaint. The design is a little drab, but there’s no arguing with its functionality. Premium models and up also get a USB charging port for rear-seat passengers.

Lower-spec cars (such as the i20 Advanceand Premium) are quite softly sprung. A lot of that is down to their smaller alloy wheels and thicker tyres, but the setup makes the i20 an easier car to cover miles in. Expect a stiffer setup with the upcoming N-Line model.