Hyundai i20 vs Suzuki Swift

Staying on top of the supermini class is no easy task: our long-standing favourite, the Ford Fiesta, was recently ousted by the brand-new Peugeot 208. But with the Ford shortly due for a major facelift and Renault’s latest Clio just around the corner, that reign may yet prove to be short-lived.

The Hyundai i20 has never really challenged the class leaders, yet it’s always been a practical, good-value alternative to mainstream rivals. Since it was launched in 2008, other cars in the range have made big strides in a lot of areas, including exterior design and interior quality; this mid-life revamp extends these to the i20, and should bring it right back into contention.

Styling tweaks have been inspired by the i30 hatch and striking Veloster coupe, while changes to the 1.2-litre engine and gearbox have brought lower emissions and increased power, so the i20 should be sharper to drive.

Before the Hyundai can challenge class leaders, it has to get past one of our favourites from the current crop of small cars: the Suzuki Swift. Cheeky looks and a sparkling chassis set the Swift apart, while a no-nonsense interior and keen price make it a stern test of how much progress the i20 has made.

Verdict

Supermini buyers demand a lot of different things from their cars, so the class leaders are the models that can offer something for everyone. And while neither of the cars tested here can challenge for overall honours, they both make strong cases for themselves.

The Hyundai impresses with its good-value price, extensive equipment list, long warranty and spacious, practical interior. The revised styling makes the i20 feel more upmarket than before, but the cabin seems a little bit low-rent and the car struggles on the road. Even the least demanding drivers will feel short-changed by the Hyundai’s lacklustre dynamics. Around town, the lack of agility and limp steering made it feel cumbersome, while longer stints on the motorway revealed a noisy cabin and characterless engine.

Yet where the i20 struggles, the Suzuki Swift excels. Supple suspension makes it a surprisingly refined cruiser, while the accurate steering and slick manual gearbox are both a joy to use on winding B-roads. Lower running costs and slightly stronger residuals help to offset the shorter warranty and more basic equipment levels. Limited boot space will be a deal-breaker for some buyers, but the Swift is the better choice for most – and it easily wins here.

Winner: Suzuki Swift ★★★★Suzuki has struck gold with the Swift: it does all the important small car things very well. Tidy handling and a keen engine mean it feels nippy around town and a more sophisticated ride ensures it remains composed where the i20 floats and thuds. Average practicality aside, it’s a cheap and cheerful alternative to the supermini mainstream. Go for the top-spec SZ4 model if you have the budget.

2nd: Hyundai i20 ★★★While this facelift does enough to keep the i20 in contention at the value end of the class, the poor driving dynamics are a real letdown. Hyundai claims to have tinkered with the gearbox, but it felt clunky, while the droning engine made long trips tiring. Style trim has plenty of kit and the company’s five-year warranty is difficult to ignore, but we’re not sure the extra peace of mind offsets the flaws.