Hyundai i20 Hatchback (2015 - 2020) 1.0T GDI SE 5d Owner Review

I'm driving an ex demo from a main dealer. Fully optioned SE 1.0 TGI 98bhp

Good points - much of an improvement safety wise on my previous car. Disc brakes all round and a multitude of airbags. Nippy once turbo comes in. Big cabin. Nice throat exhaust. Nice ride of new smooth surfaces. £0 tax

Bad Points
Fuel Consumption is way too low, currently averaging 28 - 42 mpg on mixed routes.

Odd gear ratios. Yes I can do 50 in second, 70 in third and there is no complaint from the engine or revs

Poor drivers seat. Seats are narrow and the drivers seat adjustment is broken causing the seat to drop in the left rear, causes the seat to lean to the left. Dealer was not interested and wanted an hours labour upfront just to look at it even when car under warranty. Sort of cured issue by raising the seat, but this impeads getting in. and out. A new seat and frame is well over £1k, Risky preowned seats start at £90. live and let live.

Rev me baby. Okay its a 3cyl 1l engine with 98bhp, 0-60 in just over 10 secs... but you need to Rev hard to pull away at junctions and roundabouts, then remember the gear ratios are poor, meaning all that engine noise is for nothing and it burns fuel

The original tyres looked like they were stored outside int he sun, the sidewalls were cracking and those plastic ties they use to hold the tyres in piles had marked the sidewall. Replacement tyres of the same make improved the ride.

The trip settings have on occasion reset themselves, not just one item but all, Trip A,B, mpg etc., this is followed by appaliing fuel economy.

Similarly the digital speedo has switched itself off on one occasion.

The ride is choppy to say the least, gets noisy and bumpy on poor road surfaces even at low speeds.

The Clutch breaking point is high compared to other vehicles.

Service charges are not cheap, yes you get Hyundai breakdown cover and Hyundai trained technicians and parts, but then you can't get third party parts either. A broken indicator lamp on the mirror cost £110 and a new mirror glass (as independent would have to break mirror glass) was £55

The Donk, most times braking is a joy and then donk - the sound comes from the rear offside disc, Hyundai dealer says can't replicate, I got in the car and it made the sound straight away on braking. Doesn't affect MOT so will live with it.

I've driven 28k and honestly regret spending £12.5k on this car. It may not be a lemon in terms of falling back in the garage, but it has enough issues to say back away. There is clearly something wrong with the power ratio on this engine 98bhp with little torque and obscure gear ratios that do nothing.

The dealership I have had servicing at can only rate as mediocre.

To sum up the official figures are lies, the engine is so-so, the gearing is pants. But I can get 3 teenagers and luggage in the car for holiday!