VS
At a Glance
Power
73kW@5500
77 kW
Torque
136Nm@4200
153 Nm
Fuel
6.1
6.5 l/100km
Towing
1000
1000 Kg
0-100 km/h
11.6
12.6 s
Engine
1396
1598 cc
Choosing between the HYUNDAI i20 and the Volkswagen Polo Vivo is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The HYUNDAI i20 delivers 73kW@5500 while the Volkswagen Polo Vivo produces 77 kW. On fuel, the i20 returns 6.1 while the Polo Vivo uses 6.5 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R179 900 for the i20 and R326 800 for the Polo Vivo. 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
77 kW
Torque
136Nm@4200
153 Nm
0-100 kph
11.6
12.6 s
Top Speed
181
188 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1396
1598 cc
Engine Layout
TRANSVERSE INLINE 4
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
UNLEADED
petrol
Transmission
MANUAL
automatic
Number of Gears
6
6
Drive Wheels
FRONT
front
Full Time 4x4
✗
—
Low Range
✗
—
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
6.1
6.5 l/100km
Fuel Consumption Urban
—
—
Fuel Consumption Highway
—
—
Fuel Tank Capacity
45
45 l
CO2 Emissions
132
156 g/km
Dimensions
Length
3995
3972 mm
Width
-1710
1682 mm
Height
1490
1462 mm
Wheelbase
2525
2470 mm
Ground Clearance
150
143 mm
Kerb Weight
1028
1102 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Load Volume
—
280-952 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
1000
1000 Kg
Load Capacity
295
—
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✗
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✗
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
2
2 (opt 4)
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✗
Optional
Curtain Airbags
✗
—
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✗
—
Cruise Control
✗
Optional
Adaptive Cruise Control
—
—
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
✗
—
Reversing Camera
—
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✗
—
Sunroof
✗
—
Heated Seats
✗
—
Electric Seat Adjustment
✗
—
Keyless Entry
✗
—
Alloy Wheels
✗
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
60
3 vehicle / 5 engine
Warranty Distance
150000
120000 vehicle / 150000 engine Km
Service Plan
S
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
—
2
Service Plan Distance
—
30000
Service Intervals
15000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
HYUNDAI i20
2 / 4 categories
Performance
Polo Vivo
Fuel Economy
i20
Value
i20
Practicality
Tied
Pros & Cons
HYUNDAI i20
Better fuel economy (6.1)
Lower starting price (R179 900)
Quicker 0-100 km/h (11.6s)
No factory service plan
Volkswagen Polo Vivo
Factory service plan included
Higher fuel consumption (6.5 l/100km)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the i20 or Polo Vivo?
The i20 uses 6.1 and the Polo Vivo uses 6.5 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 Vivo?
The i20 produces 73kW@5500 and 136Nm@4200 of torque while the Polo Vivo delivers 77 kW and 153 Nm of torque. They produce similar power outputs.
What is the price difference between the i20 and Polo Vivo?
The i20 starts from R179 900 and the Polo Vivo from R326 800. The i20 is cheaper by R146 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 Vivo?
The i20 has a braked towing capacity of 1000 and the Polo Vivo can tow 1000 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the i20 or the Polo Vivo?
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.