VS
At a Glance
Power
73kW@5500
147 kW
Torque
136Nm@4200
320 Nm
Fuel
6.1
6.4 l/100km
Towing
1000
1200 Kg
0-100 km/h
11.6
6.7 s
Engine
1396
1998 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 147 kW. On fuel, the i20 returns 6.1 while the Polo uses 6.4 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R191 900 for the i20 and R585 800 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
147 kW
Torque
136Nm@4200
320 Nm
0-100 kph
11.6
6.7 s
Top Speed
181
238 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1396
1998 cc
Engine Layout
TRANSVERSE INLINE 4
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
UNLEADED
petrol
Forced Induction Device
—
turbocharger
Transmission
MANUAL
automatic
Number of Gears
6
6
Drive Wheels
FRONT
front
Full Time 4x4
✗
—
Low Range
✗
—
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
6.1
6.4 l/100km
Fuel Consumption Urban
—
—
Fuel Consumption Highway
—
—
Fuel Tank Capacity
45
40 l
CO2 Emissions
132
147 g/km
Dimensions
Length
3995
4074 mm
Width
-1710
1751-1964 mm
Height
1490
1431 mm
Wheelbase
2525
2549 mm
Ground Clearance
150
120 mm
Kerb Weight
1028
1247 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Load Volume
—
305 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
1000
1200 Kg
Load Capacity
295
500 l
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
—
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✗
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✗
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
6
6
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✗
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✗
Optional
Adaptive Cruise Control
—
Optional
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
✗
Optional
Reversing Camera
—
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✗
✓ Standard
Sunroof
✗
Optional
Heated Seats
✗
✓ Standard
Electric Seat Adjustment
✗
—
Keyless Entry
✗
Optional
Alloy Wheels
✗
✓ Standard
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
Tie
2 / 4 categories
Performance
Polo
Fuel Economy
i20
Value
i20
Practicality
Polo
Pros & Cons
HYUNDAI i20
Better fuel economy (6.1)
Lower starting price (R191 900)
No factory service plan
Volkswagen Polo
Higher towing capacity (1200 Kg)
Factory service plan included
Quicker 0-100 km/h (6.7 ss)
Higher fuel consumption (6.4 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 6.4 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 147 kW and 320 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 R585 800. The i20 is cheaper by R393 900 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 1200 Kg. 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.