VS
At a Glance
Power
73kW@5500
81 kW
Torque
136Nm@4200
152 Nm
Fuel
6.1
6.2 l/100km
Towing
1000
—
0-100 km/h
11.6
11.2 s
Engine
1396
1598 cc
Choosing between the HYUNDAI i20 and the Volkswagen Polo is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The HYUNDAI i20 delivers 73kW@5500 while the Volkswagen Polo produces 81 kW. On fuel, the i20 returns 6.1 while the Polo uses 6.2 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R191 900 for the i20 and R382 600 for the Polo. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
73kW@5500
81 kW
Torque
136Nm@4200
152 Nm
0-100 kph
11.6
11.2 s
Top Speed
181
190 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1396
1598 cc
Engine Layout
TRANSVERSE INLINE 4
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
UNLEADED
petrol
Transmission
MANUAL
manual
Number of Gears
6
5
Drive Wheels
FRONT
front
Full Time 4x4
✗
—
Low Range
✗
—
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
6.1
6.2 l/100km
Fuel Consumption Urban
—
—
Fuel Consumption Highway
—
—
Fuel Tank Capacity
45
45 l
CO2 Emissions
132
147 g/km
Dimensions
Length
3995
4561 mm
Width
-1710
1752 mm
Height
1490
1507 mm
Wheelbase
2525
2651 mm
Ground Clearance
150
179 mm
Kerb Weight
1028
1189 Kg
Doors
5
4
Seats
5
—
Load Volume
—
521 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
1000
—
Load Capacity
295
—
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
—
Stability Control
✗
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✗
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
6
2
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
—
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
—
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✗
—
Cruise Control
✗
—
Adaptive Cruise Control
—
—
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
✗
—
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✗
—
Sunroof
✗
—
Heated Seats
✗
—
Electric Seat Adjustment
✗
—
Keyless Entry
✗
—
Alloy Wheels
✗
—
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
60
3
Warranty Distance
150000
120000 Km
Service Plan
S
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
—
3
Service Plan Distance
—
45000
Service Intervals
15000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
HYUNDAI i20
3 / 4 categories
Performance
Polo
Fuel Economy
i20
Value
i20
Practicality
i20
Pros & Cons
HYUNDAI i20
Better fuel economy (6.1)
Lower starting price (R191 900)
No factory service plan
Volkswagen Polo
Factory service plan included
Quicker 0-100 km/h (11.2 ss)
Higher fuel consumption (6.2 l/100km)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the i20 or Polo?
The i20 uses 6.1 and the Polo uses 6.2 l/100km on the combined cycle. The i20 is the more fuel-efficient choice. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the i20 or Polo?
The i20 produces 73kW@5500 and 136Nm@4200 of torque while the Polo delivers 81 kW and 152 Nm of torque. They produce similar power outputs.
What is the price difference between the i20 and Polo?
The i20 starts from R191 900 and the Polo from R382 600. The i20 is cheaper by R190 700 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the i20 or Polo?
The i20 has a braked towing capacity of 1000 and the Polo can tow not specified. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the i20 or the Polo?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.