The Hyundai i20 N is the equivalent of your long-lost drunk uncle at a wedding – it shouts and carries on demanding your attention. Some will hate it and turn up their noses, and a few will have a sly smirk knowing that he is having a great time.
Owner: Michael
The Hyundai i20 N is the equivalent of your long-lost drunk uncle at a wedding – it shouts and carries on demanding your attention. Some will hate it and turn up their noses, and a few will have a sly smirk knowing that he is having a great time.
I ordered my Performance Blue i20 N with a black roof in December 2021 and only received it in February 2023. It was an obscene amount of time to wait for a budget-friendly small performance car. Was it worth it? Hell yes.
If you love SUVs, dual-cab utes, coupes etc, I’m not trying to sway your opinion, but for those who like hilariously fun cars, go and drive one of these little gems.
Looks are subjective. From the front the i20 N has a low-slung splitter that meets a unique chequered-flag-design grille with angular LED headlights on either side below the sloped bonnet.
Moving to the side profile, you will see more creases and lines than Keith Richards’s face. Each corner features grey 18-inch alloys shod with Pirelli P Zero tyres that ensure the i20 N will stick to the road like a booger to a bus seat. Red brake callipers peek out from behind the wheels to signal that this vehicle has some serious stopping potential. Side skirts complete the look with a red highlight stripe as bright as a nuclear sunset.
It’s the rear that I like best. Its plump bottom features a single bi-modal exhaust to the right, and rally-inspired diffuser leading up to smokey diamond-shaped LED tail-lights before tapering in at the roof. Its roof-mounted spoiler is large, and perhaps a little theatrical, but continues the theme.
Under the bonnet, the i20 N has a 150kW four-cylinder turbocharged engine that has been tweaked from some of Hyundai’s other offerings.
The exclusively manual gearbox offers fast, efficient gear changes that when in ‘N’ mode or the red ‘REV’ match button is pressed produce gear changes that are smoother than a nightclub bouncer’s head. Three-pedal tap dancing is not required, rev-matching is sublime.
Inside the cabin is equally impressive with two large screens dominating the simple layout. The dash is simple but effective in design and all controls are within easy reach. Touch the display on the left and you will be dazzled with features such as:
– Track maps
– G-force meter
– Tacho
– Temperature gauges
– Timers
– Throttle and brake percentages
– Launch control
And many more.
Safety is covered with all the latest technology thrown in with the exception of adaptive cruise control.
The seating position is relatively low, which adds to the sporty feel. The seats wrap around you like a grandma’s cuddle, holding you in tight but without the smell of mothballs.
No air-conditioning vents in the rear, but due to its compact size it can go from lava temperatures to colder than a dog’s nose in no time.
The basic set-up in the rear has obligatory cupholders, a USB port and a map pocket. The rear is really only suited for two adults in the back, but they don’t have to be vertically challenged to fit in comfortably.
0–100km/h in 6.7 seconds is swift enough, and while I’m sure the i20 N could handle more power, it’s cornering and braking where this car excels.
Stuffed under the clamshell bonnet deep inside is a mechanical limited-slip diff that enables this car to pull itself around corners at speed easily.
While not as quick as receiving a tradesman’s invoice in a straight line, its mechanical wizardry will see this little terrier sniffing at far more expensive vehicles’ tails in the twisty bits. It changes direction with more ease than a politician on a meet and greet.
I won’t lie, the ride is very firm. On roads with more bumps than a boxer’s nose, you will ensure that your chiropractor will be flying first class on his next holidays to the Bahamas. Push hard and the rear can wriggle like two kids wrestling under a doona, but it is quick to regain its composure.
The i20 N will happily sip 91RON fuel, but the tank is only a little bigger than a goon bag (40L). My 9500km of ownership have averaged 6.6L/100km with no issues at all. Stick it in ECO mode and it will touch high 4s or low 5s on the freeway. N mode is where it shines – it’s firm, fast, fun, reliable and a little noisy.
If you are looking for downsides, the P Zero tyres, while amazingly grippy, do wear quickly. The boot is small and the turning circle is not great. Most annoying is the start button, which is on the left side of the steering wheel and is harder to find than a bra clasp in the dark.
The i20 N is the modern equivalent of cars like the Ford Escort and Datsun 1600 – affordable, fun cars.
Owner: Michael
MORE: Everything Hyundai
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