Used Hyundai i20 2015-2020 review
The Hyundai i20 is roomy, well-equipped and has a long warranty, but it's let down by an unsettled ride
- Used Hyundai i20 15-present
- Used Hyundai i20 15-present
- Used Hyundai i20 15-present
- Used Hyundai i20 15-present
- Used Hyundai i20 15-present
- New Hyundai i20 vs Seat Ibiza
What's the used Hyundai i20 like?
Buyers after a well-built and handsome small car could do a lot worse than cast a glance at the Hyundai i20.
This generation was very popular and well-received and ran from 2015 until 2020. It sat in a hotly contested class, of course, one that included the iconic Ford Fiesta and the excellent Skoda Fabia, but it stood out against other used rivals due to the peace of mind of a long manufacturer's warranty. It was available in three and five-door forms, or as a rugged-looking SUV called the Active.
Pros
- Spacious interior
- Refined petrol engines
- Well-equipped
Cons
- Ride can be choppy
- Uninspiring handling
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There's a wide range of engines to choose from, too, including four petrol and two diesel options. Petrols kick off with a 1.2-litre at either 74 or 83bhp, or you can select a turbocharged three-cylinder 1.0-litre unit with either 99 or 118bhp. An automatic gearbox was initially offered on a 99bhp 1.4-litre, until this engine was replaced with a 1.0-litre of equivalent power from 2018 onwards. If you want to go diesel, there’s a choice of a 74bhp three-cylinder 1.1-litre or an 89bhp 1.4-litre four-cylinder.
Trims start with entry-level S, which is a little basic and lacks air-con and Bluetooth, and moves up through SE, which adds alloy wheels and rear parking sensors, and Premium SE, which throws in heated seats and a sunroof, to Turbo, which gets a 7.0in infotainment screen as standard. Confusingly, the three-door i20, which carries a coupé label, calls these last two trims Sport and Sport Nav, although they offer exactly the same equipment.
On the road, the 1.0-litre petrol engine is the best performer in the range, in either of its power outputs. Both feel good, even on motorways, although only the higher-powered 120 version gets a six-speed manual gearbox. The 1.2 and 1.4 petrols feel a little sluggish, even if they are quite refined, while the diesel options are both rather tardy in their responses and occasionally a bit noisy, too. The i20’s steering is slightly slow and heavy, although it's an easy and safe car to drive, with good grip levels and predictable handling. Its ride is generally comfortable, but it can be caught out by sharp road imperfections and feels a little choppy around town.
Inside, there's a good driving position with excellent visibility, and the dashboard is logically laid out and simple to use. The i20 feels solidly built and fairly plush relative to its main rivals, with good use of soft-touch plastics, and the 7.0in touchscreen infotainment on higher spec cars is responsive.
Space in the front is truly excellent, while rear-seat passengers get plenty of leg room and a good amount of space across the car. Added to that, boot space is one of the biggest in the class, with easy access and a height-adjustable floor on higher trims.
If you're interested in finding a used i20, or any of the other small cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at great prices.
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Ownership cost
What used Hyundai i20 will I get for my budget?
You can buy a Hyundai i20 of this generation for as little as £3500, but we'd advise you to increase your budget to around £5000 for something without galactic mileage. You'll need to spend £6500 or more for a 1.0-litre car, and about £8500 for one built from 2018 onwards when the design received a facelift. Diesel examples are rare, and you'll need at least £6000 for one with an average number of miles. Spend between £8000 and £10,000 on good 2017 and 2018 cars, £10,000 to £14,000 on 2019 and the last 2020 models.
Check the value of a used Hyundai i20 with What Car? Valuations
Tips & Advice
Our recommendations
Which used Hyundai i20 should I buy?
Engine
Because it offers a little more puff than the lower-powered variant, we’d try and seek out the 118bhp version of the 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine. It’s smooth and refined and offers good economy too.
Specification
The equipment level in SE trim is enough to persuade us to look for one of these as S is too basic and the higher trims are more expensive on the used car forecourt.
Our favourite Hyundai i20: 1.0T GDI 120 SE
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Tips & Advice
Alternatives
What alternatives should I consider to a used Hyundai i20?
The Ford Fiesta has been the pick of the small car class for many years, even though newer rivals have come along to challenge it for its crown. On the used market, though, it’s still a solid and reliable buy, and it’s a car that’s both good to drive and comfortable to be in.
The Skoda Fabia has plenty of space inside, handles well and has a top-notch infotainment system. The interior and boot are spacious, especially for something so small of dimension. On the used market it appears even better value than when new.
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How reliable is the Hyundai i20 ?
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About the writer
