As Hyundai’s greenest model ever, the new i20 Blue boasts the kind of low running costs that should put it on any supermini buyer’s shopping list.
We’ve been impressed by the standard car’s blend of value and practicality, and all those qualities have been carried over for this new eco-friendly i20, which is based on the mid-spec Comfort version.
Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the Hyundai i20
That means it gets air-con, electric windows and 15-inch alloys, and also uses the original model’s 89bhp 1.4-litre CRDi diesel engine – yet emissions have fallen from 111g/km to 98g/km, making it tax-exempt.
That figure is thanks to a set of low-rolling-resistance tyres, automatic stop-start and aero tweaks designed to make the i20 as efficient as possible.
They may be subtle, but these updates stretch the combined economy to 76.4mpg, giving the i20 Blue a theoretical range of 755 miles. What’s more, it is far less compromised to drive than some eco rivals.
It can’t quite match the Ford Fiesta ECOnetic’s sharp handling, but it’s £1,300 cheaper to buy and rides in a very comfortable manner. With 220Nm of torque, the diesel pulls strongly and although a little rough at idle, it’s refined at speed. Cabin quality is behind a Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa and VW Polo, but the low price makes up for that. On the whole, this is frugal transport at its best.
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For a car with lots of torque its god slow!! 0-60 in 13.5 seconds!!
I'd rather know the price difference to the model on which it is based than how it compares with the Fiesta (though that is also worth knowing).
According to the Hyndai website, Blue is £950 more than the (75PS vs 90PS) Comfort 5dr on which you say it is based, and just £550 less than the Style (which has the same power output). Based on the petrol engined Comfort 5dr vs Style 5dr (£1000 difference) the more powerful CRDi is around £500 so you're paying £450 for the lower emissions and better economy. At what point (in real world driving) do you make back that cost?
nice point of view
I have the IX20 which I gather is the same diesel engine and it a lot quicker in reality than it looks on paper,I like the way they say its a little rough at idle! - Heck its the noisiest diesel I have ever had, it is not a good engine from that point of view! also I don't believe these stated mpg figures are realistic cause even if I drive at a steady 60 I cant get what the manufacturer claims!