Hyundai i20 vs VW Polo: A tough box in a small car comparison

Polo looks worse, angular and open. Of course, it also has a long wheelbase and short overhangs. But the continuous light strip at the front (with a series of LED matrix lights on the Style) and a few curves on the side are the most interesting details. Everything is preserved and deep, just don’t draw it, please.

It continues across the board, the Polo is functional and compact, the digital instruments in the 10.25-inch display (standard on the Style) are configurable and easy to read, and the menus are on the smartly arranged 9.2-inch touchscreen. The illuminated but unfeeling touches and automatic air conditioning sliders aren’t very nice – but the theme is familiar at VW.

In the i20 there is a prototype control unit for the same purpose and, for example, there is also a real rotary control for the radio volume. In general, Hyundai has regularly placed more mechanical buttons and switches, which makes it easier to work.

The instruments in the 10.25-inch instrument cluster, which can also be configured, are good, and the menus in the 10.25-inch touchscreen (all standard on the Prime) are extensive but logically organized.

Both the Hyundai and the VW don’t change much when it comes to space, both are surprisingly spacious up front and also offer great room in the back. The i20 is a little wider at the back, the Polo offers a touch more headroom. The front and rear seats fit well in both cars, but in the VW they are more shapely and better padded. A question of taste.

However, the advantage of the Polo is when it comes to the trunk: with 351 to 1125 liters, it can swallow a larger load than the i20 and 262 up to a maximum of 1075 liters. In Hyundai, the not too small lithium-ion battery is located under the floor of trunk

This is part of the i20’s 48-volt hybrid system. This means that the 1.0 liter turbo starts very gently. The 120 hp three-cylinder is a fun, grumpy classic. It’s faster and faster than the engine in the VW across the entire speed range – but it’s also a touch quicker and quicker. The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission generally shifts quickly, only occasionally shuddering when coasting.

VW has kept the steering very compliant, as has the suspension at all times. Hyundai can’t do that well. It spins less and more wooden, the steering responds less powder, we would also like more feedback.

The brakes also offer the possibility of improvement, in both cases: the i20 warmed up after 35.8 meters when stopped from 100 km/h, the Polo after 35.4 meters. It’s not a big problem, but it could be improved.

The Hyundai i20 with 120 hp, dual clutch transmission (DCT) and Prime equipment is available from 28,400 euros – and that is also the tested price of the car. Hyundai’s standard is an incredible five-year warranty – VW can only hide from that with its two years. However, the Polo only needs to be reviewed every two years, while Hyundai would like to host the i20 once a year. So in the end it’s pretty close between the i20 and the Polo – and the VW ends well.