Hyundai ix20 (2010-2019) Review

Not everyone needs this much space in a car this small; new drivers would probably be happier with something more conventional, but being able to fit four or even five people in relative comfort is a real bonus. It’s versatile enough to make a family car of sorts, ideal if you can’t accommodate a larger car but need the space. The Hyundai ix20 would also be a sensible option for drivers who are less physically able, thanks to the good driving position and spacious interior.

The standard specification of the Hyundai ix20 is very good, a frequent occurrence on Hyundai models, with even the basic Classic model offering a height-adjustable driver’s seat, ESC, air conditioning, electric front windows and a CD tuner with AUX and USB inputs. This is a sound choice, although the Active models add alloy wheels, Bluetooth, heated mirrors and steering-wheel mounted controls.

The range was revised in 2015 into Hyundai ix20 SE and Premium models, with all versions now with alloy wheels, projector headlights and improved connectivity including a 1GB music storage system. Both versions were also available in ‘Nav’ specification that added sat-nav, and of the two we’d choose the higher-spec Premium trim.

One car that is very similar to the Hyundai ix20 is the Kia Venga. The two models were effectively developed together, although the Hyundai ix20 was given additional tuning that the Venga did not benefit from, so it offers a slightly less impressive driving experience.

The Vauxhall Meriva and Ford B-MAX are two other models that are similar in execution and design as the Hyundai ix20, both being spun off existing small car platforms but with a greater emphasis on space and practicality. Both also have an unusual rear door arrangement - rear opening on the Meriva and sliding doors on the B-MAX - to improve access.

Some of the biggest strides than Hyundai has made in recent years is in the field of quality. Wind back to the 2000s and some of its lesser products were low cost and felt it, but its modern offerings have closed the gap to the long-established brands. Step inside the Hyundai ix20 and you can see where the progress has been made; cover up the badge and you’d struggle to tell it apart from its European rivals.

The design may be quite conservative, with shades of black and grey rather than bright colours, but there are some appealing flashes of interest. All models have a part-silver finish on the steering wheel and dashboard, and in a small but very effective touch, the dashboard uses blue illumination for the buttons and switches rather than the more commonplace white or orange.

The quality of the materials is generally strong too. There are some hard plastics in the cabin of course, but plenty of soft-touch ones too. Even the less-impressive plastics at least feel solidly-built, and a leather covering on the steering wheel and gearlever on most models is a welcome additional boost.

As standard, all versions of the Hyundai ix20 are fitted with a CD radio unit that includes an AUX and USB input. Mid-range Active and Style models add Bluetooth functionality for telephone calls and audio streaming as well steering wheel controls. 

Post-facelift cars from 2015 onwards have an improved standard specification, with a My Music system that allows you to upload up to 1GB of music files via the USB port and store them internally for playback. Bluetooth connectivity also became standard on all models, alongside improved connectivity with iPods.

Hyundai again delivered over and above what you might expect on an entry-level car, and the Hyundai ix20 provides enough functionality and quality to keep the majority of buyers happy. With Bluetooth also standard on all models bar the first generation Classic models, only the most discerning of audiophiles will have anything to complain about. 

The sound quality is respectable, the main controls are easy to read and to operate and the additional controls on the steering wheel are a welcome extra. The only demerit is the lack of full smartphone integration, but this is due to the age of the design.

Where the Hyundai ix20 really plays its ace card is when you use the space inside. From the front seats you can really appreciate how much room is created by the high roofline and the far-forward windscreen. The Hyundai ix20 feels like a car with space from the class above. 

Head and legroom is excellent for front seat passengers, even for those who are significantly over six feet tall, and perhaps even more impressively the rear seats are almost as accommodating. The roofline does descend a little, so headroom isn’t quite as generous but it is sufficient to carry an adult - you can get three across the back with a gentle squeeze, so it really does offer more space than most of its rivals.

Although it’s unlikely that family buyers will need to carry three adults on a regular basis, the ease of which the Hyundai ix20 can carry two child seats on the rear bench is a boon, with ISOFIX anchor points on the outside seats also.

There’s more good news when you get to the rear, where there’s a boot that puts some bigger cars to shame. There’s 440 litres of boot space with the rear seats in place, which is 100 litres more than a Ford Focus or Volkswagen Golf. There’s a low loading lip too so it’s easy to make the most of the space, and the boot floor has a false bottom so you can divide up the space too.

Should that not be enough, you can fold the rear seats to open up a massive 1486 litres of space - that’s only 14 litres fewer than a BMW 3 Series Touring provides with the seats down too. It genuinely provides as much space as you could reasonably expect from a car of this footprint, and on this fact alone it makes a strong case for itself as a cost-effective load carrier.

Its practical nature continues in the cabin, where there are lots of useful storage areas and good-sized door bins, enough to handle the usual rubbish that family life accumulates.

The Hyundai ix20 dimensions are 4120mm long, 1765mm wide and 1600mm tall.

The Hyundai ix20 has had a number of different engine options during its lifetime. At launch in 2010 it was offered with a 1.4-litre 90PS and 1.6-litre 125PS petrol - the latter only available with an automatic gearbox. A 1.4-litre diesel was also offered at launch, in 77PS and 90PS outputs although the torque figure of 240Nm was identical for both versions. 

With the 2016 facelift a 1.6-litre diesel was also added to the range, coming in 115PS and 128PS outputs, and a six-speed manual transmission was made standard on all engines except for the base 1.4-litre petrol.

Of the early engine range, the 1.4-litre petrol provides an adequate mix of performance and fuel consumption, and is reasonably refined too with little noise getting into the cabin. The 90PS diesel is a more appealing option however, as it has strong torque from low revs and is also pretty refined, with very little diesel clatter intruding. A stop/start system as standard helps to cut fuel consumption, with an official combined figure under NEDC rules of 65.7mpg, making 50-plus an easy real-world prospect.

Of the engine latterly available on the Hyundai ix20, the 1.6-litre diesel is a further improvement on the 1.4-litre. Of the two options the 125PS version offers more useful performance, but either one would make a good choice for a strong blend of useful performance and good fuel consumption. 

Almost regardless of which engine option you decide to go for, the levels of refinement and noise insulation in the Hyundai ix20 are impressive. Even from the moment you get behind the wheel and turn the key, there is a distant hum from the engine - it is on par with the key rivals in this class and is a big plus in a small car like this. 

The diesel units are only fractionally more noisy than the petrol offerings, so the other performance advantages make this a worthwhile compromise. All the engine options are pleasingly free from unwanted vibrations, even at idling speeds.

The same good standards are maintained in respect of other noise sources. No doubt helped by the relatively small wheel sizes, tyre noise is kept at bay at most speeds, although rougher road surfaces do make themselves known. Wind noise is also well controlled even at motorway speeds, despite the big doors and large glazed area. The Hyundai ix20 is sufficiently refined to make long motorway journeys perfectly viable, and avoids increasing driver fatigue too.

The Hyundai ix20 was tested by Euro NCAP when the car was first launched in 2011, and was not tested again before it was discontinued in 2019. However, it scored an impressive five stars overall, with a rating of 89 per cent for adult protection and 85 per cent for child protection. It scored a reasonable 64 per cent for pedestrian mitigation, but a strong 71 per cent for safety assist.

As standard, all Hyundai ix20 models were fitted with six airbags including front, side and curtain airbags for the front seat occupants, seat-belt pretensioners and load limiters, two ISOFIX mounting points in the rear outside seats as well as a seat-belt reminder. Although Euro NCAP’s report says that ESC is optional, UK specification cars were fitted with this as standard from launch.

Parking sensors were not fitted to Classic models, but were standard on Active and Style trims for early cars. Latterly these were standard on all face-lifted models, while these later-generation cars also benefited from projector-style headlamps and LED taillights for improved visibility in tricky conditions.

All Hyundai ix20 models were fitted with a space saver spare wheel as standard, and although a full-size spare was available as an option it is unlikely that many used examples will have had this feature added.

The Hyundai ix20 scored a solid 9.21 out of 10 for reliability in the HonestJohn.co.uk Satisfaction Survey, which is actually one of the lower-rated Hyundais in the survey - this is likely due to the fact that it is a relatively old design now.

As a manufacturer Hyundai did even better, placing third overall out of 30 manufacturers, so as long as you find a good example you can be pretty confident that you'll have few problems.

The spread of insurance groups for the Hyundai ix20 is relatively narrow, so you won’t be paying too much extra on your premium for choosing a higher-group model. The basic 1.4-litre petrol Classic is the lowest in group 7, while the 1.6-litre diesels drop into group 13. For most buyers that shouldn’t add more than a few pounds to your premium, which will likely be outweighed by the potential savings on fuel and road tax by going for the diesel option.

The Hyundai ix20 was first launched before the VED rules changed more often than the date, but it was still on sale during the most significant changes in 2017. None of the models were efficient enough to have dropped below the magic 100g/km CO2 mark, but the most efficient diesels, if registered before April 2017, qualify for a £30 per year annual rate.

These same cars jump up to £165 per year from April 2017 onwards. As for the petrol, 1.4-litre versions cost £135 pre-April 2017 and £165 afterwards, while the 1.6-litre goes from £180 for the manual or £220 for the automatic to £165.

On the early cars, the basic Hyundai ix20 Classic trim was surprisingly well-equipped, with height adjustable driver's seat, ESC, air conditioning, six airbags, steel wheels, active head restraints, electric front windows, air conditioning, a CD stereo system with six speakers, plus USB, AUX and iPod-input capabilities all as standard. 

Hyundai ix20 Active models add some useful elements like Bluetooth, rear electric windows, reversing sensors, and audio controls on the steering wheel, so if you can stretch to it, this would be our preferred choice. The top-spec Hyundai ix20 Style adds folding door mirrors and the full-length panoramic sunroof, but don’t pay a big premium over the Active for these extras.

On the newer-generation cars, again the standard Hyundai ix20 SE model is well-specified, but if you can stretch to the better Hyundai ix20 Premium spec it includes climate control and leather trim.