Hyundai i20 vs Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.

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
VS
Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster in South Africa

Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster

SL 63 Petrol Mild Hybrid 9-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 3,948,250 ex-showroom
⚡ 430 kW 🔧 800 Nm ⛽ 7.7 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Hyundai i20 vs Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster: the short answer

SL Roadster has a modest catalogue-index lead, while i20 remains close.

i20 starts ZAR 3,651,350 cheaper i20 from ZAR 296,900 · SL Roadster from ZAR 3,948,250

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification i20 SL Roadster
Maximum Power i2074 kW @ 5500 rpm SL Roadster430 kW
Maximum Torque i20172 Nm @ 1500 rpm SL Roadster800 Nm
Engine Size i20998 cc SL Roadster3982 cc
Combined Fuel Economy i2014.5 km/l SL Roadster7.7 km/l
Ground Clearance i20195 mm SL Roadster115 mm

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

Independent editorial assessment

Hagalu editorial ratings

When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.

Hyundai i20

1.0T Fluid

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster

SL 63

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

i20

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

SL Roadster

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

Which One's Right for You?

i20

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

SL Roadster

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

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec i20 SL Roadster
Model Introduced Year 2008 2026
Generation Third generation i20 on the K2 platform; sold in SA with 1.0T three-cylinder turbo across all variants Current South African SL Roadster generation represented by derivative SL 63
Facelift History Third generation launched globally in 2020 and arrived in SA shortly after; significant improvement over the second gen in styling, tech, and driving dynamics Current-generation/facelift specification; derivative-specific South African configuration
Facelift Launched Since 2020 Current South African model cycle
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Hatchback Convertible
Color Note White, Black, Silver, Blue, Red, Yellow -
Dealer Stock Note Fluid grade in the South Africa lineup -
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active Current South African retail range
Segment Hatchback Luxury convertible
Tare Mass Kg 1135 kg -
Vehicle Type Hatchback Convertible
Spec i20 SL Roadster
Length 4040 mm 4705 mm
Width 1775 mm 1915 mm
Height 1505 mm 1359 mm
Wheelbase 2580 mm 2700 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 195 mm 115 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) Not Officially Disclosed 120 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 40 l 70 l
Boot/Cargo Space 352 l 240 l
Kerb Weight 1135 kg 1970 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1610 kg 2000 kg
Payload Capacity 475 kg 420 kg
Towing Capacity Not Officially Disclosed 2000 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 4 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 2 rows
Doors 5 doors 2 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.2 m 6.25 m
Front Headroom Not Officially Disclosed 960 mm
Rear Headroom Not Officially Disclosed 960 mm
Front Legroom Not Officially Disclosed 900 mm
Rear Legroom Not Officially Disclosed 900 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

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

Performance index: i20 37 vs SL Roadster 100.

Efficiency index: i20 59 vs SL Roadster 38.

Safety-equipment index: i20 84 vs SL Roadster 95.

Practicality index: i20 61 vs SL Roadster 47.

Ownership-cover index: i20 65 vs SL Roadster not separately scored.

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

SL Roadster leads by 12 points

SL Roadster has a modest catalogue-index lead, while i20 remains close.

Evidence leader 73 /100
Lead 12 points
Data 83% source coverage
73
#1 Evidence leader

SL Roadster

83% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Performance 100 Check Efficiency 38
Performance 100
Efficiency 38
Safety 95
Practicality 47
Leads by 12 points
61
#2

i20

93% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 84 Check Performance 37
Performance 37
Efficiency 59
Safety 84
Practicality 61
Ownership 65
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance SL Roadster +63 Efficiency i20 +21 Safety SL Roadster +11 Practicality i20 +14

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

SL Roadster

Performance 100/100
Efficiency 38/100
Safety 95/100
Practicality 47/100

i20

Performance 37/100
Efficiency 59/100
Safety 84/100
Practicality 61/100
Ownership 65/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster leads the specification evidence index with 73 pts vs 61 pts for i20

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

i20 vs SL Roadster questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa 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.