Name: Hyundai i20 N (2021 - present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Hyundai i20 N
Rating: 85

Summary

The Hyundai i20N is a pacy hot hatch based on the normal i20 hatchback, and the entry level model in Hyundai’s N subdivision of performance cars.

With the ‘N’ being a nod to the German Nürburgring circuit, the Hyundai i20 N is powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine which produces 201hp, 46hp less than the next model up in the N range, the Hyundai i30 N. Other than the engine, the i20 N is far more agile than the regular i20 models, with notable improvements made to the chassis, suspension, brakes and steering.

Fitted with its own specifically designed turbocharger and intercooler system, the i20 N is almost half a second faster in a 0-62mph drag race (6.2 seconds) than its close rivals, the Ford Fiesta ST and the Volkswagen Polo GTI.

This impressive pace has not gone unoticed. “This is a car of serious talent”, The Telegraph explains, “one with immense pace, a beautifully poised and precise chassis, and a nose that just won’t quit.”

“It’s a great alternative to the Ford Fiesta ST and much more entertaining than the dynamically dull Volkswagen Polo GTI”, What Car? writes. “You can drive it aggressively and it won’t bite, and when you’re precise, its calm, neutral balance works with you to generate pace.”

The engine performance, body control and handling of this supermini, along with its long warranty, relatively cheap running costs, and good levels of standard equipment have made the Hyundai i20 N a real highlight for the motoring media, although a number of reviews conclude that it isn’t as ‘playful’ as the Fiesta ST while cornering.

Reviewers have also found cause for concern when using the i20 N’s ‘sluggish’ infotainment, as well as its so-so ride comfort, with some of its hot hatch rivals being more comfortable to drive on a day-to-day basis.

As of October 2023, the Hyundai i20 N holds an impressive Expert Rating of 85%, based on 14 reviews published by the UK media. This rating is just 2% shy of the 86% scored by its key rival, the Ford Fiesta ST.

i20 N highlights

Pure hot hatch performance
Sharp handling and body control
Good levels of standard equipment
Excellent driving position
Suitable for track days and day-to-day driving

i20 N lowlights

Rather rigid ride comfort
Infortainment lags behind rivals
Cheap interior trim in places
Sport driving mode makes the steering heavy

Key specifications

Body style: Small three-door hot hatch
Engines: petrol
Price: From £25,250 on-road

Launched: Autumn 2021
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express+

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre 4cyl turbo petrol
Score: 9 / 10
“The i20 N marks another impressive step for Hyundai’s performance division, mixing a fun chassis set-up with strong performance.”
Read review

Auto Trader+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Hyundai may be new to the hot-hatch game but the new i20 N proves it’s got the talent to give favourites like the Fiesta ST a run for their money.”
Read review

Autocar+

Model reviewed:
Score: 9 / 10
“Hyundai could have toddled off and built a warmed-over i20, ratcheted up the marketing hype and counted the cash. The fact there is real engineering integrity and depth of character to this car speaks volumes as to the company’s intent. Hyundai has obviously set out to create a pure performance hatch – consider the brief met. And then some.”
Read review

Car+

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol manual
Score: 10 / 10
“A focused machine, the i20N is a proper little hot hatch and by far the Fiesta ST’s most credible rival yet.”
Read review

Carbuyer+

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol manual
Score: 8.2 / 10
“The impressive Hyundai i20 N is a genuine rival to the Ford Fiesta ST.”
Read review

Carwow+

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol manual
Score: 9 / 10
“It’s great fun on a twisty road, even if its steering is a bit too heavy, but its looks might be a bit challenging for some.”
Read review

Evo+

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol manual
Score: 10 / 10
“An inspiring new hot hatch from Hyundai N. Agile, and with a limited-slip differential that offers superb mid-corner traction, it’s a formidable Fiesta ST rival.”
Read review

Honest John+

Model reviewed:
“Hyundai’s engineers have retuned and refined the regular i20’s chassis, suspension, brakes and steering in order to deliver more agile ride and handling.”
Read review

Parkers+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.6 / 10
“Hyundai’s N Division has served up another excellent hot hatch, following on from the equally-fun i30 N. It’s great to drive with punchy acceleration and a powerful engine that thrives on revs.”
Read review

The Sun+

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol manual
“Handling is king in a hot hatch and this little cracker is so precise and darty, it reacts instantly to every input, like it is wired to your brain.”
Read review

The Sunday Times+

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol manual
“It has a proper handbrake, not a button. The driving position was spot-on. The quality was tangible and the stereo was epic.”
Read review

The Telegraph+

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol manual
Score: 10 / 10
“This is a car of serious talent; one with immense pace, a beautifully poised and precise chassis, and a nose that just won’t quit. Not to mention one that doesn’t take itself too seriously – a very endearing quality that’s far too rare in most modern performance cars.”
Read review

Top Gear+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Taut, direct and surprisingly old-school hot hatch from a very forward-looking company.”
Read review

What Car?+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“It’s a great alternative to the Ford Fiesta ST and much more entertaining than the dynamically dull Volkswagen Polo GTI. You can drive it aggressively and it won’t bite, and when you’re precise, its calm, neutral balance works with you to generate pace.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

No safety rating

January 2023, the Hyundai i20 range has not been crash tested by Euro NCAP. If and when it is put through its paces by Euro NCAP, we will publish the results here.

The i20 N has a number of high-calibre safety features as standard, including automatic emergency braking, lane assistance, traffic-sign recognition and e-Call emergency response.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

The Hyundai i20 N has not been lab tested by Green NCAP. This is a new initiative, launched in 2018 as a sister organisation to Euro NCAP.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of January 2023, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Hyundai i20 N to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the i20 N, we’ll publish the score here.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	49 mpg	C	40 – 53 mpg	B – D

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	133 g/km	A	120 – 158 g/km	A – C

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	20	A	14 – 27	A – B

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£198	A
Year 2	£509	B
Year 3	£820	A
Year 4	£1,030	B
Year 5	£1,338	A
Overall	£3,895	A

The high-performance Hyundai i20 N is a relatively affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

The car’s fuel economy sits at around the market average, which is good for a petrol-powered performance model, and its insurance premiums are in one of the cheapest brackets. In addition, the Hyundai should be cheap to service and maintain over the course of five years of ownership.