Hyundai Grand i10 vs Hyundai i20

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance, petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.

Hyundai Grand i10 in South Africa

Hyundai Grand i10

1.2 Fluid Petrol 5-Speed Manual Current
ZAR 242,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 61 kW 🔧 114 Nm ⛽ 16.9 km/l
VS
Hyundai i20 in South Africa

Hyundai i20

1.0T Fluid Petrol 6-Speed Manual Current
ZAR 328,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 74 kW 🔧 172 Nm ⛽ 14.5 km/l
Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Hyundai Grand i10 vs Hyundai i20: the short answer

Grand i10 and i20 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Grand i10 starts ZAR 78,000 cheaper Grand i10 from ZAR 218,900 · i20 from ZAR 296,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Grand i10 i20
Maximum Power Grand i1061 kW @ 6300 rpm i2074 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque Grand i10114 Nm @ 4200 rpm i20172 Nm @ 1500 rpm
Engine Size Grand i101197 cc i20998 cc
Combined Fuel Economy Grand i1016.9 km/l i2014.5 km/l
Ground Clearance Grand i10170 mm i20195 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Grand i10

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Fewer listed safety features
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Efficiency
Specification evidence leader

i20

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

Grand i10

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use

i20

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Grand i10 i20
Model Introduced Year 2014 2008
Generation Second generation Grand i10 sold in SA with a 2023 facelift; based on the global third-gen i10 platform adapted for emerging markets Third generation i20 on the K2 platform; sold in SA with 1.0T three-cylinder turbo across all variants
Facelift History Second generation arrived in 2017; facelift with updated front styling and infotainment in 2023 Third generation launched globally in 2020 and arrived in SA shortly after; significant improvement over the second gen in styling, tech, and driving dynamics
Facelift Launched Since 2023 2020
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Hatchback Hatchback
Color Note White, Silver, Red, Blue, Grey White, Black, Silver, Blue, Red, Yellow
Dealer Stock Note Fluid grade in the South Africa lineup Fluid grade in the South Africa lineup
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status published published
Segment Hatchback Hatchback
Tare Mass Kg 975 kg 1135 kg
Vehicle Type Hatchback Hatchback
Spec Grand i10 i20
Length 3665 mm 4040 mm
Width 1660 mm 1775 mm
Height 1520 mm 1505 mm
Wheelbase 2385 mm 2580 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 170 mm 195 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 35 l 40 l
Boot/Cargo Space 235 l 352 l
Kerb Weight 975 kg 1135 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1410 kg 1610 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius - 5.2 m

In depth: how these cars differ

This Grand i10 and i20 comparison uses the exact South African derivatives selected above. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: Grand i10 27 vs i20 37.

Efficiency index: Grand i10 66 vs i20 59.

Safety-equipment index: Grand i10 68 vs i20 84.

Practicality index: Grand i10 55 vs i20 64.

Ownership-cover index: Grand i10 65 vs i20 65.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

i20 leads by 6 points

Grand i10 and i20 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 61 /100
Lead 6 points
Data 90% source coverage
61
#1 Evidence leader

i20

90% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 84 Check Performance 37
Performance 37
Efficiency 59
Safety 84
Practicality 64
Ownership 65
Leads by 6 points
55
#2

Grand i10

90% source coverage 0 strong categories
Best at Safety 68 Check Performance 27
Performance 27
Efficiency 66
Safety 68
Practicality 55
Ownership 65
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance i20 +10 Efficiency Grand i10 +7 Safety i20 +16 Practicality i20 +9 Ownership Level

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

i20

Performance 37/100
Efficiency 59/100
Safety 84/100
Practicality 64/100
Ownership 65/100

Grand i10

Performance 27/100
Efficiency 66/100
Safety 68/100
Practicality 55/100
Ownership 65/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Hyundai i20 leads the specification evidence index with 61 pts vs 55 pts for Grand i10

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, i20 leads. However, Grand i10 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Grand i10 vs i20 questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the exact South African derivatives on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.