Hyundai i20 Generations, Specs and Best Versions to Buy (2008–present)

Full hyundai i20 generations guide: six generations from 2008 to present, 75–128 hp, with specs and the best versions to buy used.

The Hyundai i20 is a micro-class hatchback built from 2008 to the present, with outputs ranging from 75 to 128 hp across all versions. It suits drivers who want a compact, front-wheel-drive city car with a wide choice of gearboxes — from manuals to dual-clutch automatics. This overview covers hyundai i20 specs and all hyundai i20 generations to help you pick the right version.

Hyundai i20 generations

1 generation (2008–2012)

The first Hyundai i20 was offered as a micro-class car with 13 modifications spanning 78–128 hp, all front-wheel drive, with automatic and manual gearboxes. The range topper was the 1.6 MT (128 hp) diesel with a 1582 cc engine, reaching 100 km/h in 10.4 seconds while consuming just 4.4 l/100 km. The volume choice was the 1.4 AT (100 hp) with a 1396 cc engine, 12.9 s to 100 km/h and 6.2 l/100 km.

1 generation, restyling (2012–2014)

The restyled first generation trimmed the lineup to 9 modifications and a 75–100 hp range, keeping the micro body and FWD layout. The 1.4 MT (90 hp) diesel was the mass version, doing 13.5 s to 100 km/h at 4.3 l/100 km. The 1.1 MT (75 hp) diesel with a 1120 cc engine stood out for economy at 3.2 l/100 km, though acceleration stretched to 15.9 seconds.

2 generation (2015–2018)

The second generation moved to a mini body and grew to 15 modifications with 75–120 hp, still front-wheel drive with automatic and manual options. The 1.0 MT (120 hp) with a 998 cc turbo engine became the strongest version, hitting 100 km/h in 10.3 seconds. The 1.4 MT (90 hp) diesel remained the mass pick, now quicker at 12.1 s to 100 km/h and thriftier at 4.1 l/100 km.

2 generation, restyling (2018–2020)

The restyling returned to a micro body with 12 modifications in the same 75–120 hp band and added an automated manual (DCT) to the gearbox list. The 1.0 DCT (100 hp) was the mass version — 11.4 s to 100 km/h, 5.2 l/100 km. The 1.0 DCT (120 hp) topped the range with 10.5 s to 100 km/h at 5.3 l/100 km, while the 1.0 MT (100 hp) was the most economical at 5.1 l/100 km.

3 generation (2020–2023)

The third generation slimmed to 6 modifications, 84–120 hp, offered with manual and automated manual gearboxes on a micro body. The 1.0 iMT (100 hp) is the mass version, accelerating in 10.4 seconds and consuming 5.4 l/100 km. The 1.0 DCT (120 hp) leads on power, with 10.3 s to 100 km/h at 5.5 l/100 km — both built on the same 998 cc engine.

3 generation, restyling (2023–present)

The current restyled third generation is the simplest lineup yet: just 2 modifications, all rated at 100 hp. The core version is the 1.0 T-GDi DCT with a 998 cc engine, reaching 100 km/h in 11.4 seconds and using 5.9 l/100 km.

Which Hyundai i20 to buy

On the used market the safest bets are the second generation (2015–2018) with its broad 15-modification lineup, and the third generation (2020–present) for the newest cars; the 2023–present restyling is the simplest to shop for, since only 2 modifications exist. Every i20 generation is front-wheel drive, so there are no drivetrain variants to untangle when comparing listings.

Which Hyundai i20 to avoid

The 1.4 AT (100 hp) of the 2 generation restyling (2018–2020) is dominated by its stablemate: the 1.0 DCT (100 hp) of the same generation offers the same 100 hp but accelerates in 11.4 s versus 13.2 s and consumes 5.2 l/100 km versus 6.7 l/100 km. Unless you specifically want a classic torque-converter automatic, the numbers favor the DCT.