There isn’t a shortage of strong competition in the popular small car category (also commonly referred to as the supermini class). Both the Skoda Fabia and Hyundai i20 are highly popular and well-regarded models in this class worldwide. The Skoda Fabia is a well-rounded vehicle, presenting a supermini that is roomy, practical and comfortable, The Hyundai i20 has also been noted for its sharp looks and good build quality. So how does the Hyundai i20 stack up against the Skoda Fabia? Let’s take a closer look… (Note: The European hatch versions are used here for fairer comparison, and some specifications may not apply to models sold in Australia).
Skoda Fabia vs Hyundai i20
Skoda Fabia | Hyundai i20 |
| Engine | |
| 1.0 litre petrol turbocharged engine | 1.4 litre |
| Power and Torque | |
| 70kW/160Nm | 73kW/136Nm |
| Fuel Consumption | |
| 4.5L/100km | 5.9L/100km |
| Transmission | |
| 5 SP manual | 4SP automatic |
| Drive Type | |
| Front wheel drive | Front wheel drive |
| Boot space | |
| 330L, 1150L with rear seats down | 326L, 1042L with rear seats down |
Trim Range and Standard Features
The full range of the Skoda Fabia currently includes six trim levels, from the entry-level S, to SE, SE Drive, Colour Edition, and the top-specified Monte Carlo. There are five trim levels in the full range of the Hyundai i20, ranging from the entry-level S Connect to SE, Play, Premium Nav and the top-specified Premium SE Nav.
Engine Range and Efficiency
Every Skoda Fabia model is cheap to run and there are three 1.0-litre petrol engines available: an entry-level MPI with a power output of 44kW, and two turbocharged (TSI) engines at 70kW and 81kW. The 1.0-litre TSI 70kW engine is the only TSI offering for the entry-level Skoda Fabia, with a quick acceleration of 10.7 seconds from 0 – 100km/h and great fuel economy of 4.5L / 100kms. Hyundai has four engines in its i20 range. Available are a 1.2-litre petrol engine offered in 55kW and 63kW outputs, and a more modern 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with either 74kW or 88kW output (available at higher level trims). The engine for the entry-level i20 is 1.2-litre MPi 84kW engine can accelerate from 0 – 100 km/h in 12.4 seconds, and runs with a fuel economy of 5L / 100kms.
Equipment
Equipment is generous across the Fabia range. Starting from the entry-level Fabia S, all cars come with a 6.5-inch touchscreen and DAB digital radio, a Bluetooth phone connection and electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors. Also included are LED daytime running lights, curtain airbags, electric front windows and remote central locking. For air-conditioning, you need to move up to SE, where you also get SmartLink+ to make the Fabia compatible with Apple CarPlay / Android Auto. As you move up the trim levels, you get more equipment as standard, such as a leather multifunction steering wheel, six-speaker stereo, bigger alloy wheels, sat nav, front and rear parking sensors, different colour combinations of interior trim, sat nav, climate-control air-conditioning, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and keyless start/stop. The range-topping Monte Carlo edition boasts a striking black and red racing sports design on the inside and out, a body-coloured rear spoiler, rear electric windows, privacy glass, front sports seats and a sports steering wheel. And the Skoda Fabia is available with a range of personalisation options, including a full-length panoramic sunroof. The entry-level Hyundai i20 S Connect features tinted windows, daytime running lights, a 7.0-inch touchscreen, DAB radio, Bluetooth, air-conditioning and a reversing camera, and Apple CarPlay / Android Auto connectivity. Moving up to higher trim level gets you more equipment such as larger alloy wheels, leather steering wheel, front and rear parking sensors, cruise control, front and rear electric windows, a variable height boot floor, sat nav, LED rear lights, climate control air-conditioning and a smartphone docking system. The range-topping i20 Premium SE Nav adds luxuries like heated front seats and steering wheel, keyless entry and a panoramic sunroof.
Size & Space
The Skoda Fabia measures in at a height of 1467mm, length of 3997mm and width of 1732mm. The Hyundai i20 is very similar in size, with a height of 1474mm, length of 4035mm and width of 1734mm Boot space in the Skoda Fabia is an impressive 330 litres, which puts it ahead of most rivals. Lowering the split-folding rear seats yields a very generous 1,150 litres of space. The Hyundai i20 also has a large boot space (though slightly smaller than the Fabia) with a starting capacity of 326 litres transforming into 1042 litres with both rear seats down.
Reliability & Safety
Skoda has developed a solid reputation for reliability and safety. The Fabia was awarded the maximum 5-star NCAP rating. It comes with plenty of standard safety features, including curtain airbags, stability control and traction control. Skoda’s driver assistance systems include ‘Front Assist with City emergency brake’, Driver fatigue assistant, Adaptive cruise control and Blind spot detection. The Hyundai i20 managed to achieve a 4-star NCAP rating. As standard, every i20 comes with six airbags, electronic stability control and an emergency stop signal. The i20’s driver assistance systems include tyre-pressure monitoring, autonomous emergency braking, driver attention alert, lane-departure warning and lane-keep assist. There we have it, a head-to-head of two of the top small cars in the world. If you’re impressed by the Skoda Fabia in this contest or simply interested to find out more, give us a call or visit Perth City Skoda today.
