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Key Takeaways
The Hyundai i20 is regularly overlooked in favour of the Ford Fiesta or Volkswagen Polo. For the savvy buyer, that is part of what makes it such a good value on the used market.
Wilsons Motor Group is an approved Hyundai dealer, and this guide covers the key specs, running costs, and what to check before you buy.
This second-generation i20 was in production from January 2015 until 2020, and Hyundai even gave it a facelift in June 2018, updating the styling, infotainment system, and safety tech. If you can stretch to a post-2018 example, it is worth doing.
Diesel was dropped from the lineup in 2018. The petrol options are:
The boot holds 326 litres with all seats in place, making it one of the largest in its class and bigger than the VW Polo (280 litres) and Vauxhall Corsa (285 litres). Fold the rear seats, and that expands to 1,042 litres. Rear legroom is also strong for the segment, and most adults will sit comfortably in the back.
The cabin materials have held up well with age. Rear headroom can feel tighter on models fitted with the optional panoramic sunroof, but most passengers find the space genuinely comfortable.
The i20 earned afour-star Euro NCAP rating in 2015, scoring well for adult (85%) and child passenger (73%) protection. Every model came with six airbags, electronic stability control, tyre pressure monitoring, and Isofix mounting points on the outer rear seats as standard. These features keep the i20 a reliable and safe vehicle worth buying in 2026.
From the 2018 facelift onwards, Hyundai added autonomous emergency braking, automatic headlights, and a driver drowsiness monitoring system across most of the range. The updated infotainment system also introduced DAB radio and smartphone connectivity, which earlier models lacked. If you have the budget, buying a model from 2018 onwards will give you the modern technology as well as the standard safety features.
We understand that hearing from a dealer that a car is reliable is not the same as having concrete proof, but the Hyundai i20 has received many reviews over the years that support its value. In theWhat Car? In the Reliability Survey, the i20 ranked fourth out of 21 cars in the value and small car category, sharing the position with the Suzuki Swift. Hyundai, as a brand, also ranked sixth among 31 manufacturers in the same survey.
Owner feedback supports these findings: in the 2017 Carbuyer Driver Power survey, only 3.6% of i20 owners reported a fault. Most describe years of routine maintenance only — tyres, brakes, and fluid changes.
The i20 is cheap to run, and we’re not the only ones saying it. According toCarbuyer, the 1.0 T-GDi 99bhp returns up to 49.6mpg officially, and road tax sits at around £150 a year across the range. Insurance groups range from 4 to 12, depending on trim and engine, helping keep costs manageable for a wide range of drivers.
The real-world economy will vary, but the i20 is consistently cheap to run day-to-day, particularly in town, where the 1.0-litre turbo performs best. Our team at Wilsons will be able to point you to the best Hyundai i20 to fit your needs.
At 4,035mm long and 1,734mm wide, the i20 is larger than most rivals in its class. This is the perfect city car if you have kids, as that extra size translates into real rear-seat space and a boot that handles a weekly shop, a weekend bag, or a pushchair without issue.
Even the newer generation is still affordable, reliable, and cheap to run, and is available as a hybrid.
Discover Used i20 at Wilsons
Here at Wilsons Motor Group, we check all our approved used cars to the highest standard, but any used car deserves a careful look before you commit. Here are the key things to check on an i20.
Service history: A full Hyundai record is ideal, but any documented servicing tells you the car has been looked after.
On 1.0 T-GDi models, check the clutch. Some early 2015 and 2016 examples have reported judder. Ask about any clutch work in the service history, and check for smooth clutch engagement during the test drive.
Mileage: An i20 with under 50,000 miles is well within its stride. Higher mileage is not automatically a problem, as long as servicing has kept pace.
Suspension noise over speed bumps: During the test drive, watch for sharp ridges that can produce a pronounced thump. Some of this is normal; anything excessive warrants investigation.
If you are choosing between a pre- and post-facelift model, 2018 cars gain DAB, smartphone connectivity, AEB, and standard air conditioning across the range. For most buyers, those additions make a post-2018 example the stronger choice if the budget allows.
Every car we sell at Wilsons Epsom comes with full service history and access to our warranty package, so you know exactly what you are buying.
The i20 is roomy, reliable, and cheap to run. Whether you are buying your first car or want a practical second vehicle, it is a straightforward choice that holds up well.
We have a selection of used i20 models on our Epsom forecourt, each checked over and ready to drive away. Come in for a no-pressure browse or book a test drive.
Yes. The i20 ranked fourth out of 21 small cars in the What Car? Reliability Survey, and owner feedback is consistently positive. With a good service history, most examples deliver years of trouble-free motoring.
The 1.0-litre T-GDi turbo is the standout choice. It offers better performance and real-world fuel economy than the 1.2 or 1.4-litre options, and it suits both urban and motorway driving. The 1.2-litre is a reasonable budget option for mostly town driving.
An i20 with under 50,000 miles is well within its stride. Higher mileage is not automatically a problem on this model, provided it comes with a documented service history showing regular maintenance.
Post-2018 models add smartphone connectivity, DAB radio, autonomous emergency braking, and standard air conditioning across the range. If you can stretch the budget, a post-facelift example is worth the extra spend.
Yes. Every used i20 we sell comes with access to our warranty package. Our team is happy to talk you through any questions before you commit.