Used Hyundai i20N 2021-2024 review
Good to drive and delightfully lively, the Hyundai i20N is an entertaining hot hatch
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What's the used Hyundai i20 like?
Ownership cost
Our recommendations
Alternatives
Reliability
Oliver Young
Updated: 4 July 2023
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What's the used Hyundai i20 like?
It may be one of the class's more recent entries, but the Hyundai i20N is a delightfully old-school hot hatch. It's small, quick, relatively affordable and only available with a manual gearbox.
In fact, it neatly supplements the Korean firm's larger offering in this class, the popular Hyundai i30N, which was its first-ever hot hatch.
Overview
The i20N deserves to be mentioned among hot hatch class leaders, even if used prices aren't incredibly tempting just yet.
Pros
- Impressive performance
- Balanced handling and lots of grip
- Well equipped
Cons
- Used Fiesta STs are cheaper and more exciting to drive
- Smaller boot than rivals
- So-so infotainment
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Hyundai i20
1.2 Classic Euro 5 3dr
£895
Hyundai I20
1.4 Style Euro 4 5dr
£995
Hyundai i20
1.4 CRDi Blue Drive Active Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr
£995
Hyundai i20
1.2 Comfort Euro 5 5dr
£995
Hyundai i20
1.2 Classic Euro 4 5dr
£1,195
Hyundai i20
1.2 Comfort Euro 4 5dr
£1,290
Hyundai i20
1.4 Style Euro 4 5dr
£1,294
Hyundai i20
1.2 Classic Euro 5 3dr
£1,295
Hyundai i20
1.2 Comfort Euro 5 5dr
£1,299
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Engines & Performance: You'll find the manual 'box – a satisfyingly precise six-speed – linked to a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. It's turbocharged and produces 201bhp, which is about par for the hot hatch course, as is the i20N's 0-60mph time. In our hands, it managed the sprint in 6.4sec.
In terms of its character, turbo lag is quite prominent (for a modern unit), so expect a noticeable delay between a kick of your right foot and the engine's performance coming on song. Past that, mind you, it soars high into the rev range with great determination.
Fortunately, this grunt doesn't corrupt the i20N's steering. Sure, there's some slight tugging as this front-wheel-drive pocket rocket puts maximum power to the road, but it's far from unruly and uncontrollable.
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Ride & Handling: Front-end grip is mighty and body lean is incredibly well controlled. Everything feels balanced, giving you loads of confidence on a bendy B-road.
The trade-off is that the ride is firm and will jiggle you around when driving over uneven surfaces. This isn't unusual in a hot hatch, though, and the i20N isn't the worst of the lot. In fact, over small bumps and on the motorway, the ride is fairly compliant for such a car – not so much over harsh, sharp bumps and potholes, on the other hand.
Interior & Practicality: Complimenting the driving experience is the digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel. The set-up will make gamers feel at home, because the display can be configured in a multitude of ways. It can show everything from cornering G-force to how much brake pressure you’re using. You can even see your lap times on a track day.
The rest of the car is a doddle to use because the main dashboard controls, including those for the air-conditioning, are proper physical knobs and buttons.
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Unfortunately, that theme isn’t continued when it comes to the infotainment system: you’ll find touch-sensitive shortcut buttons below the 10.3in touchscreen instead of physical ones. While we rate the screen’s graphics and resolution, the software is unusually slow for a Hyundai system. The time it takes to boot up after switching on the ignition and the wait for it to respond after making selections can be quite frustrating.
On the plus side, it’s well equipped. All i20Ns have a DAB radio, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring, built-in sat-nav, wireless phone charging and a six-speaker sound system.
Trims & Equipment: Sticking with equipment, there's just one version of the i20N available and it ticks a lot of boxes. You'll find it has a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, 18in alloy wheels, automatic climate control, power-folding door mirrors, privacy glass and keyless entry.
The i20N is also pretty rich in interior space for a small car. It has more than enough leg and head room for six-footers in the front. Helped by only being available as a five-door car, your passengers should find it easy enough to get into the back seats, where there's a surprising amount of leg room. Even tall adults should have a gap between their knees and the back of the seat in front. There’s not a vast amount of head room, but enough for six-footers.
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The boot isn't terrible for a car of its size, but the angle of the rear seatbacks meant we really struggled to fit four carry-on suitcases below the parcel shelf.
Interested in buying a used Hyundai i20N? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.
Ownership cost
What used Hyundai i20 will I get for my budget?
As of writing, the Hyundai i20N costs from around £20,000 on the used market, with 2023 and 2024 models rising to around £25,000. New i20Ns start at £26,230.
Check the value of a used i20N with What Car? Valuations
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How much does cost to run a Hyundai i20?
MPG: During our real-world tests, we averaged 40mpg in the i20N.
Road tax: You'll be paying the current flat-rate fee of £190 per year in road tax.
Insurance and servicing: The i20N belongs to insurance group 27 – this is fairly mild for a hot hatch. For three services of the i20N, Hyundai quoted us £899. Other service plans are available.
Our recommendations
Which used Hyundai i20 should I buy?
There's just the one and fortunately its packed with desirable kit. You'll probably want to seek out an example that has the optional-from-new Bose Premium Sound Package, but that's pretty much it.
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Our favourite Hyundai i20N: 1.6T GDi N
Alternatives
What alternatives should I consider to a used Hyundai i20?
We've yet to address the elephant in the room and that's the Hyundai i20N's chief rival, the Ford Fiesta ST. Check out our full comparison, entitled Used test: Ford Fiesta ST vs Hyundai i20N, to see how they stack up and test drive them both if you're at all on the fence.
If you have close to £30,000 to spend, a used Toyota GR Yaris is definitely worth considering. It's a blast to drive, not to mention it's much quicker than the likes of the Fiesta ST and i20N.
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If you're interested in finding a used Hyundai i20N or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at a great price.
Hyundai i20 owner reviews
Sort by: Most Recent Star rating
Anonymous
Hyundai I20 petrol
Likes: Reliability, Servicing, Running costs
Nov 28, 2025 6:03 AM
Very relaxed reliable. Not a single problem since new. No build quality issues, no faults. Starts every time. Fun to drive at higher speeds due to nippy turbo soft hybrid system, although doesn't hold corners like a Fiesta on twisty rural roads. Good size boot and wing mirrors that don't whistle at speed
Jon
Hyundai I20 1.0 hybrid hatchback
Likes: Value, Reliability, Servicing
Oct 6, 2025 9:27 PM
Decent little warm hatch with good handling and nice standard equipment, mild hybrid system is completely pointless.
Neal
Hyundai I20 1.6 petrol hatchback
Likes: Value, Reliability, Servicing
Dislikes: Running costs
Sep 3, 2025 6:12 PM
For a small hot hatchback don't think there's anything better out there. Plus if you want to drive sensibly you'll get close to 50 mpg.
Peter
Hyundai I20 1.0 petrol hatchback
Likes: Value, Reliability, Servicing, Running costs
Jun 17, 2025 10:12 AM
Stephen
Hyundai I20 1.0 petrol hatchback
Likes: Value, Reliability, Servicing, Running costs
May 22, 2025 6:22 PM
Only 2 weeks old - but. Inch better than the 2018 model & uses less fuel and has much better sat nav
How reliable is the Hyundai i20 ?
Hyundai i20
Read reliability
Used cars available now
In partnership with
Hyundai i20
1.2 Classic Euro 5 3dr
£895
Hyundai I20
1.4 Style Euro 4 5dr
£995
Hyundai i20
1.4 CRDi Blue Drive Active Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr
£995
Hyundai i20
1.2 Comfort Euro 5 5dr
£995
Hyundai i20
1.2 Classic Euro 4 5dr
£1,195
Hyundai i20
1.2 Comfort Euro 4 5dr
£1,290
Hyundai i20
1.4 Style Euro 4 5dr
£1,294
Hyundai i20
1.2 Classic Euro 5 3dr
£1,295
Hyundai i20
1.2 Comfort Euro 5 5dr
£1,299
See all available cars
About the writer
Name: Oliver Young
Title: Senior Reviewer
Follow Oliver Young on
Oliver Young spent three years as What Car?'s used car reporter, before becoming a reviewer in 2024 and senior reviewer in 2026. Oliver produces new car reviews for What Car? magazine and whatcar.com as part of the road test team.
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