Hyundai ix20 (2010 – 2018) Review

Hyundai had its sensible head well and truly screwed on when it launched the Hyundai ix20 in 2010. A compact MPV, it offered more space than many hatches from the class above while retaining a small on-road footprint. This made it ideal for growing families, as it offers plenty of interior room, equipment and quality. It’s not as sharp to drive as a Ford B-MAX nor quite as roomy as a Citroen C3 Picasso, but it’s still a strong contender. Read on for our full Hyundai ix20 review.

The Hyundai ix20 mini-MPV was Hyundai’s version of the Kia Venga and the two were even built at the same factory. Like the Kia, the Hyundai ix20 offers generous standard equipment levels, a high-quality interior and low running costs thanks to efficient engines. All of that makes it a sound used buy.

The Hyundai ix20 is good to drive with a very forgiving ride that copes well with four people and their luggage, and there’s little road or wind noise at higher speeds. The suspension was been tuned specifically for the poor quality of many UK roads and this shows behind the wheel, where it handles well, but is also very comfortable and composed.

The efficient engine range includes two petrols – a 1.4-litre and a 1.6-litre (the latter comes as an automatic only), plus an impressive 1.4 CRDi turbodiesel. Like the 1.4-litre petrol, it’s fitted with Hyundai’s Integrated Stop/Start (ISG) technology which cuts the engine when stationary.

As a result, it emits a low 114g/km of CO2 while claimed fuel economy is 65.7mpg based on the old method of testing.

The quality feel is evident in the spacious cabin, where there’s plenty of space for five on board and their luggage too, thanks to a large boot with extra under-floor storage.

Equipment levels are good, while top models come with a neat panoramic glass sunroof that makes the cabin feel very light and airy, and it also slides open unlike many other similar roofs.

Fancy a second opinion? Read heycar's Hyundai ix20 review.

The Hyundai ix20 was the first car in the firm’s history to be extensively tested on the worst of British roads to make sure it could provide both a supple ride and driving enjoyment.

The results were certainly successful. It’s a very comfortable car to travel in, with little wind or road noise, and it handles very tidily too.

The steering is well weighted and has a reasonable amount of feel, plus it’s responsive when you turn into corners. There is a little bit of roll in corners – this is a people carrier, after all – but the Hyundai ix20 still feels very composed and reassuring to drive.

In addition, the steering is light at low speeds, so parking manoeuvres and three-point turns are a doddle, plus there’s good all-round visibility.

Four engines were offered in the Hyundai ix20 line-up and all are impressively efficient. The common-rail 1.4 CRDi diesel with 90bhp was a popular choice and it’s easy to see why, as it’s smooth and quiet, yet delivers punchy performance when you need it.

More than 90 per cent of the maximum torque of 200Nm is available from just 1500rpm, allowing you to accelerate from a standstill in a smooth manner. It also means the engine doesn’t have to be worked hard, which helps with efficiency and noise levels.

At 70mph, it’s very quiet, so much so that it’s easy to think you are in a petrol car, yet it still pulls strongly in gear for easy overtaking.

Fitted with Integrated Stop/Start (ISG) technology and the standard six-speed manual gearbox with its positive and nicely weighted shift, the 1.4 CRDi version of the Hyundai ix20 has CO2 emissions of just 114g/km and claimed fuel economy of 65.7mpg on the official combined cycle.

Hyundai also offered the 1.6 CRDi turbodiesel with 115PS, which has a bit more in reserve for motorway driving, while still being easy on fuel and emissions.

Other features designed to improve efficiency include a power-saving alternator management system, a gearshift up/down indicator to encourage an economical driving style, plus low-rolling-resistance tyres from Continental.

The entry-level 1.4-litre 90bhp petrol option was borrowed from the Hyundai i20 range. Like the diesel, this version has the ISG system, resulting in emissions of just 130g/km and claimed average economy of 50.4mpg.

The final engine is the 1.6-litre petrol that’s also used in the Hyundai i30. This is the only model available with an automatic transmission in the form of a four-speed auto.

The Hyundai ix20 was fitted with ESP (Electronic Stability Program), ABS (anti-lock braking system) and Hillstart Assist Control (to prevent roll-back when starting on an incline).

This was sufficient to earn the Hyundai ix20 a five-star rating from Euro NCAP in 2011, although this has now expired as testing methods have moved on.

Depending on the exact model of Hyundai ix20 you choose, it can have a maximum unbraked trailer weight of 550kg. With a braked trailer, that can rise to as much as 1300kg.

It’s very roomy inside the Hyundai ix20, with plenty of legroom for all passengers on board, plus the ability to carry three across the rear seats thanks to a generous width and flat floor.

As you’d expect given the taller shape, headroom is plentiful and even those over six feet will find the back airy and spacious.

Getting in and out is easy thanks to raised seats and low sills, while the higher driving position ensures a good view, which is useful at junctions.

There’s both height and reach adjustment in the steering column, and the remote-control switches on the wheel mean you can control various functions (such as the stereo) without having to take your eyes off the road.

As you’d expect from a people carrier, practicality is a strong point for the Hyundai ix20. In the front, there are decent storage options, including large door pockets, but it’s the boot which is most impressive – especially so for a car that’s barely over four metres long.

Not only is it spacious, there’s no load lip thanks to a raised floor which also hides plenty of extra storage underneath.

The Hyundai ix20’s stylish layout and high-quality finish are mightily impressive and this feels like a genuinely upmarket small MPV.

The instrument cluster is illuminated in Hyundai’s trademark soft blue lighting, which also features on all the switches and controls, adding to the stylish and sophisticated feel.

The air-conditioning control dial looks great and the stereo system is very user-friendly too.

When the Hyundai ix20 was facelifted in 2016, the SE Nav and SE Premium versions gained a touchscreen infotainment system common to other models in the company’s range at the time.

The screen has clear graphics and decent reactions to inputs.

Even before this, most Hyundai ix20 models came with Bluetooth connectivity and a USB port.

Finding a 10-year old Hyundai ix20 for around £4000 will be simple. Cars of this age and price will have around 70,000 miles under their wheels and still be ready for plenty more.

Go for a petrol, and it will also be capable of driving into low emissions zones without paying a penalty.

To park one of the last Hyundai ix20s on your drive, you should be looking at around £13,000 for a car with low mileage and in the top Premium SE trim.

No Hyundai ix20 is going to tax your finances too much. The 1.4 petrol offers a claimed combined economy of up to 50.4mpg, while the auto-only 1.6 returns an official 43.6mpg.

These are fine if you don’t cover a large annual mileage, but those who do will be better looking at the 1.4 CRDi turbodiesel, with its consumption of up to 65.7mpg. Or there’s the 1.6 diesel with 64.2mpg.

The diesels are the lowest emitting when it comes to carbon dioxide, with figures of 114g/km for the 1.4 and 115g/km for the 1.6.

If you are considering a petrol, emissions are 130 and 149g/km for the 1.4 and 1.6-litre units respectively, so none will be too costly in terms of road tax.

Nor will insurance be a concern, as the Hyundai ix20 sits in groups 7 to 14, while Hyundai dealers are among the more affordable franchised outlets for servicing, and independents will be cheaper still.

Service intervals of 20,000 miles also help keep costs in check.

The starting point of the range is the Hyundai ix20 Classic. It has a height-adjustable driver’s seat, ESP stability control, 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.

The Hyundai ix20 Active comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, body-coloured door handles and mirrors (which are electrically adjustable and heated), reversing sensors, Bluetooth phone connectivity, electric rear windows and audio controls on the leather-trimmed steering wheel.

In the Hyundai ix20 Style, you benefit from front foglights, door mirrors fitted with integrated side repeater indicators that fold electrically and a dual-panel panoramic glass sunroof with a UV filter which spans the front and rear seats.

The front panel offers tilt and sliding functionality to let fresh air – as well as light – into the cabin. It’s also equipped with blinds, while the rear glass is super-darkened for extra privacy and protection from the sun.

When the model was facelifted in 2016, trims changed to Hyundai ix20 SE, Hyundai ix20 SE Nav and Hyundai ix20 SE Premium, with each effectively replacing the Classic, Active and Style.

However, the SE Nav added an infotainment touchscreen with sat-nav, and this was also fitted to the SE Premium.