Thinking of getting a Hyundai ix20?
Why buy the Hyundai ix20?
If you need a car that doesn’t take up much space but has loads of passenger room and a big boot, the Hyundai ix20 could be ideal for you. It’s a small MPV that’s about six inches (15cm) longer than a typical small hatchback, yet it’s more spacious and practical than many much bigger cars. It’s also excellent value and comfortable, plus the high seating position combines with big windows to give you and your passengers a great view out.
Hyundai ix20 range and updates
The ix20 was sold new in the UK from 2010 to 2019. It replaced the Hyundai Matrix MPV and was itself later replaced by the Kona SUV. The ix20 range was updated in 2016 with new front-end styling, upgraded tech and renamed trim levels.
There are three engines to choose from in ix20s sold after the 2016 update. They are the 1.4 Blue Drive and 1.6 petrol engines, and the 1.6 CRDi Blue Drive diesel. Some models with the 1.6 petrol engine have an automatic gearbox – otherwise you get a manual gearbox. Incidentally, Blue Drive refers to a package designed to improve fuel economy including low-friction tyres and a stop-start system.
From 2016, two trim and equipment packages were available – SE and Premium. Later on, SE Nav and Premium Nav models were added. As you might gather from the name, Nav models are fitted with a sat nav system.
Hyundai ix20 tech and features
The ix20 comes fairly well equipped for a small car of its era. Standard features on SE models include air con, Bluetooth, a radio/CD player, MP3 music streaming input, rear parking sensors and four electric windows. Premium models add to that with privacy glass and a tilt/slide-opening panoramic glass roof. In addition, Nav models have a touchscreen sat nav system.
Hyundai ix20 running costs and value
According to official figures, ix20s with the 1.4 Blue Drive petrol engine can give average fuel economy of up to 50mpg while the 1.6 CRDi diesel can give as much as 64mpg. The 1.6 petrol engine can give up to 43mpg – however its official fuel economy numbers were revised downward in 2019 after a new method for measuring fuel economy (known as WLTP) was introduced.
Whichever engine is fitted, the ix20 produces quite a lot of carbon dioxide for a car of this type, so annual Vehicle Excise Duty (VED, known as car tax) charges might be a bit higher than you expect, though not by much. For instance, VED for diesel models costs £20 per year, while it’s free for some other diesel-powered cars. At least servicing and insurance costs are low.
Hyundai ix20 vs rivals
Other small MPVs you might want to consider include the Ford B-Max and the Vauxhall Meriva. You may also want to look at small SUVs like the Citroen C3 Aircross and the Renault Captur. The Hyundai doesn’t have the Ford’s or the Vauxhall’s innovative back doors – the Ford’s slide open and the Vauxhall’s open towards the back of the car. And it also doesn’t have the Citroen and Renault’s fashionable SUV style. But the ix20 is great value and is as practical as any of these others.
