Volkswagen Polo vs Hyundai i20: specs side by side
Quick comparison from catalog data - no editorial review of this pair yet.
Volkswagen · 2017–present
Polo VI
- Power
- 48 kW65 PS
- 0–100 km/h
- 15.5 s
- Top speed
- 164 km/h
- Kerb mass
- 1,105 kg
Hyundai · 2020–present
i20 BC3
- Power
- 62 kW84 PS
- 0–100 km/h
- 13.1 s
- Top speed
- 173 km/h
- Kerb mass
- 1,088 kg
At a glance
Who suits what, worked out from the catalog figures of the versions above.
Categories won: Polo VI 4 i20 BC3 1
- Family Polo VI Euro NCAP: 5★ vs 4★
- City Polo VI Consumption: 4.7 l/100 km vs 5.6 l/100 km
- Long trips Polo VI Range: 851 km vs 714 km (estimated)
- Performance i20 BC3 Power per tonne: 57 kW/t vs 43 kW/t; 0–100 km/h: 13.1 s vs 15.5 s
- Running costs Polo VI Fuel per year: €1,230 vs €1,470 (estimated)
- Off-road Too close to call Drive and body: Front-wheel drive · Hatchback vs Front-wheel drive · Hatchback
In plain words
Hyundai i20 is quicker: 0–100 km/h in 13.1 s against 15.5 s for Volkswagen Polo. Volkswagen Polo is 13 mm longer than Hyundai i20 (4,053 mm vs 4,040 mm). Hyundai i20 is lighter by 17 kg (1,088 kg vs 1,105 kg). Hyundai i20 has the bigger boot: 352 l against 351 l. At 15,000 km a year, fuel would cost about €1,230 (Volkswagen Polo), €1,470 (Hyundai i20) (estimated). Volkswagen Polo is the older design (from 1975); Hyundai i20 arrived in 2008. On the catalog figures, the Volkswagen Polo is the pick for family, city, long trips and running costs; the Hyundai i20 is the pick for performance.
Race Stats side by side
Each figure is a 0–100 score from the catalog numbers, the same as on the 1CARS Race cards. PI is the overall performance index (100–999) and its class D–S.
| Stat | Polo VI | i20 BC3 |
|---|---|---|
| PI | C · 402 | C · 444 |
| Power | 24 | 33 |
| Grip | 40 | 40 |
| Handling | 72 | 72 |
| Top speed | 25 | 28 |
| Launch | 12 | 20 |
Grip and handling are estimates from drive type, weight, height and body (hover a figure to see where it comes from). 1CARS Race
Who wins a race?
Quarter-mile (402 m) drag from a standing start, dry road, no reaction time - the 1CARS Race physics on the catalog figures of these versions.
- 1 i20 BC3petrol · 62 kW (84 PS) 18.48 sat 117 km/h
- 2 Polo VI1.0 MPI 65 · petrol · 48 kW (65 PS) 19.44 sat 111 km/h · +0.96 s
Size and weight
Side view to scale, all cars from the front bumper.
| Polo VI | i20 BC3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,053 mm159.6 in | 4,040 mm159.1 in −13 mm −0.5 in −0.3% |
| Width | 1,751 mm68.9 in | 1,775 mm69.9 in +24 mm +0.9 in +1.4% |
| Height | 1,438 mm56.6 in | 1,450 mm57.1 in +12 mm +0.5 in +0.8% |
| Wheelbase | 2,564 mm100.9 in | 2,580 mm101.6 in +16 mm +0.6 in +0.6% |
| Kerb weight | 1,105 kg2,436 lb | 1,088 kg2,399 lb −17 kg −37 lb −1.5% |
| Boot | 351 l12.4 cu ft | 352 l12.4 cu ft +1 l +0.04 cu ft +0.3% |
| Fuel tank | 40 l10.6 gal US | 40 l10.6 gal US |
| Fits a standard garage? | Yes | Yes |
Difference vs Polo VI (±). Garage check: a standard single garage takes a car up to about 5.0 m (16 ft 5 in) long and 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) wide (width as listed in the catalog; some makers include the mirrors). Leave about 0.6 m (2 ft) to open the doors.
Full specifications
| Volkswagen Polo | Hyundai i20 | |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Version | 1.0 MPI 65 · petrol · 48 kW (65 PS) | petrol · 62 kW (84 PS) |
| Production years | 2017–present | 2020–present |
| Body | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Country | Germany | South Korea |
| Performance | ||
| Power Why it matters: More power means stronger acceleration and easier overtaking, especially with a full load. | 48 kW (65 PS) 64 hp | 62 kW (84 PS) 83 hp Better |
| Power, all versions | 29–147 kW (39–200 PS) 39–197 hp | 62–88 kW (84–120 PS) 83–118 hp |
| Torque Why it matters: Torque is the pulling force you feel when accelerating from low revs, towing or climbing hills. | No data | 122 Nm 90 lb-ft |
| 0–100 km/h Why it matters: A shorter 0–100 km/h time means quicker getaways and safer merging onto fast roads. | 15.5 s | 13.1 s Better |
| Top speed Why it matters: Top speed hints at how relaxed the car is at motorway speeds, even if you never reach it. | 164 km/h 102 mph | 173 km/h 107 mph Better |
| Power per tonne | 43 kW/t 53 hp/ton calculated | 57 kW/t 69 hp/ton calculated Better |
| Engine and transmission | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Dimensions and weight | ||
| Length | 4,053 mm 159.6 in | 4,040 mm 159.1 in |
| Width | 1,751 mm 68.9 in | 1,775 mm 69.9 in |
| Height | 1,438 mm 56.6 in | 1,450 mm 57.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 2,564 mm 100.9 in | 2,580 mm 101.6 in |
| Kerb weight Why it matters: A lighter car is usually more agile and uses less energy. | 1,105 kg 2,436 lb | 1,088 kg 2,399 lb |
| Boot Why it matters: A bigger boot fits more luggage, shopping or a pram. | 351 l 12.4 cu ft | 352 l 12.4 cu ft |
| Fuel tank Why it matters: A larger tank means more distance between fuel stops. | 40 l 10.6 gal US | 40 l 10.6 gal US |
| Economy and running costs | ||
| Fuel consumption Why it matters: Lower consumption cuts running costs and CO₂ emissions on every trip. | 4.7 l/100 km 50.0 mpg US Better | 5.6 l/100 km 42.0 mpg US |
| CO₂ | 108 g/km Better | 127 g/km |
| Fuel cost per year | €1,230/year estimated Better | €1,470/year estimated |
| Range on a full tank | 851 km 529 mi estimated Better | 714 km 444 mi estimated |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP | ★★★★★ (2022) Better | ★★★★☆ (2021) |
These cars do not differ in the data we have.
Equal rows hidden (4): Body, Fuel, Drive, Fuel tank.
Better marks the stronger figure - only for measurable specs (power, torque, 0–100 km/h, consumption, boot, weight).
Estimated at 15,000 km a year with fuel at €1.75/l petrol.