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.
i20 and Taigo are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
i20 starts ZAR 217,600 cheaperi20 from ZAR 296,900 · Taigo from ZAR 514,500
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
i20
Taigo
Maximum Power
i2074 kW @ 5500 rpm
Taigo85 kW
Maximum Torque
i20172 Nm @ 1500 rpm
Taigo200 Nm
Engine Size
i20998 cc
Taigo1000 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
i2014.5 km/l
Taigo16.1 km/l
Ground Clearance
i20195 mm
Taigo168 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 ratingNot yet rated
No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.
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)
Specification evidence leader
i20
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Performance
Taigo
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:Published EfficiencyPublished Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
i20
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Taigo
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
i20
Taigo
Model Introduced Year
2008
Current local generation year not confirmed
Generation
Third generation i20 on the K2 platform; sold in SA with 1.0T three-cylinder turbo across all variants
Current South African Taigo listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data.
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
Model-year updates can affect trim, wheels, screens, safety equipment and colours. Use the latest South African price list when checking a specific vehicle.
Facelift Launched Since
2020
Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Hatchback
SUV
Color Note
White, Black, Silver, Blue, Red, Yellow
Colour availability changes by model year, production batch and dealer stock, check the current colour selector before ordering.
8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on Fluid, digital instrument cluster, sporty flat-bottom steering wheel, quality-feeling interior
Cabin trim, seating material, screen layout and driver-assistance equipment vary by derivative. Compare the chosen Taigo grade before assuming a feature is included.
Interior Trim Colour
Black
Black
Leather Accented Seat Trim
Leather-Look
-
Interior Colours
Black
Black
Rear Seat Centre Armrest
No
-
Seat Belt Warning
Yes
-
Seat Fold Type
60/40 Split
-
Seat Trim
Leather-Look
Cloth
Floor Mats
-
Standard
Spec
i20
Taigo
Infotainment System
10.25-inch Touchscreen
SYNC
Apple CarPlay
Yes
Not Available
Android Auto
Yes
Not Available
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Not Available
Number of Speakers
8 Bose Premium
Not Available
Navigation System
Yes
-
Digital Instrument Cluster
10.25-inch Digital Cluster
Not Applicable
USB Ports
2 USB-A + 1 USB-C
Not Available
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Yes
Not Available
Wireless Android Auto
Yes
Not Available
FM Radio
Yes
-
Steering Wheel Audio Controls
Yes
-
Voice Recognition
Yes
-
AUX Input
Yes
-
Infotainment Screen Size
10.25-inch Touchscreen
SYNC
Audio Controls On Steering
Yes
-
Infotainment Display
Touchscreen
-
Rear Usb
Yes
-
Audio
Yes
-
Audio Speakers
8 Bose Premium
Not Available
Audio System
Yes
-
Display Audio
10.25-inch Touchscreen
-
Front Rear USB Charge Ports
2 USB-A + 1 USB-C
-
Infotainment Screen
10.25-inch Touchscreen
SYNC
Multi Information Display
Analogue + MID
-
Connected Services
Yes
SYNC
Voice Control
Yes
-
Smartphone Connectivity
Yes
-
Radio
Yes
-
Touchscreen
10.25-inch Touchscreen
SYNC
Spec
i20
Taigo
LED Headlamps
Yes
Not Available
Daytime Running Lamps
LED
Not Available
Fog Lamps
Yes
Not Available
Roof Rails
No
Not Available
Alloy Wheel Design
17-inch Alloy
-
Rear Spoiler
Yes
-
Exterior Colour Options
Polar White, Aurora Grey, Phantom Black, Fiery Red
3
Roof Type
Sunroof
-
Wing Mirror Type
Power Adjustable
-
Rear Wiper
Yes
-
Door Handle Finish
Body Coloured
-
Body Type
Hatchback
SUV
DRL
LED
Not Available
Fog Lights
Yes
-
Front Fog Lights
Yes
-
Led Headlights
Yes
Not Available
Led Taillights
Yes
-
Auto Headlights
Yes
-
Automatic Headlamps
Yes
-
Daytime Running Lights
LED
Not Available
Electric Blind Sunroof
Sunroof
-
Exterior Colour Options
6
3
Exterior Door Handle Colour
Body Coloured
-
Exterior Mirror Electric
Yes
-
Exterior Mirror Folding
Power Adjustable
-
Front Fog Lamps
Yes
Not Available
Headlamp Levelling
Yes
-
Headlamps
Yes
Not Available
Headlight Type
Yes
Not Available
Headlights
Yes
Not Available
Load Bed Liner
Not Available
Not Available
Panoramic Sunroof
Sunroof
Not Available
Active Exhaust
Not Available
Not Available
Rear Spoiler
Yes
-
Spec
i20
Taigo
Approach Angle
-
Not Available
Departure Angle
-
Not Available
Wading Depth
-
Not Available
Terrain Modes
Not Available
Not Available
Locking Differential
No
Not Applicable
Underbody Protection
Not Available
-
Ramp Breakover Angle
20 deg
-
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Hill Descent Control
Not Available
Not Available
Ramp-over Angle
20 deg
-
Approach Angle Deg
-
-
Breakover Angle
20 deg
Not Available
Departure Angle Deg
-
-
Energy Recovery Display
Not Available
Not Available
Front Skid Plate Guard
Not Available
Not Available
Ground Clearance Max
195 mm
168 mm
Ground Clearance Min
195 mm
168 mm
Off Road Descent Control
Not Available
Not Available
Off Road Traction Assist
Not Available
Not Available
Crawl Control
Not Available
Not Available
Rear Skid Plate Guard
Not Available
Not Available
Skid Plates Fuel Tank
Not Available
Not Available
Skid Plates Transfer Case
Not Available
Not Available
Terrain Mode Mud
Not Available
Not Available
Terrain Mode Normal
Not Available
Not Available
Terrain Mode Rock
Not Available
Not Available
Terrain Mode Sand
Not Available
Not Available
Terrain Mode Snow
Not Available
Not Available
Terrain Response System
Not Available
Not Available
Underbody Camera
Not Available
Not Available
Wading Depth Mm
-
-
Spec
i20
Taigo
Tyre Size
205/45 R17
Not Available
Wheel Type
17-inch Alloy
-
Front Brake Type
Disc
Not Available
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Not Available
Spare Wheel Type
Spare Wheel
Not Available
Front Brake Disc Diameter
256 mm
-
Rear Brake Drum Diameter
262 mm
-
Parking Brake Type
Manual
-
Tyre Load Index
91
-
Tyre Speed Rating
H
-
Wheel Rim Size
16
Not Available
Brake Type Front
Disc (Ventilated)
-
Brake Type Rear
Disc
-
Spare Tyre
Spare Wheel
Not Available
Tyre Type
Tubeless Radial
-
Wheel Diameter
16
Not Available
Auto Brake Hold
Manual
-
Autonomous Emergency Brake
No
-
Brakes
Disc
-
Cornering Brake Control
Yes
-
Electric Park Brake
Manual
-
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
Yes
-
Fifth Wheel Prep
Not Available
Not Available
Handbrake Type
Manual
Not Applicable
Hydraulic Brake Assist
Yes
-
Leather Steering Wheel
Leather
Standard
Spare Wheel Size Type
Spare Wheel
-
Steering Wheel Audio Controls
Yes
-
Steering Wheel Cruise Controls
Yes
-
Steering Wheel Phone Controls
Yes
-
Steering Wheel Trim
Leather
Standard
Tyre Pressure Display
Yes
-
Tyre Pressure Monitoring
Yes
Not Available
Wheel Material
17-inch Alloy
-
Wheel Size Type
16
-
Wheels
17-inch Alloy
-
Spec
i20
Taigo
Service Interval
15000 km / 12 months
-
Battery Warranty
4
-
Maintenance Plan
3 Years / 45000 km
-
Engine Oil Capacity
3.6 l
-
Engine Oil Change Interval
15000
-
First Service At
15000
-
Service Plan Duration
3 Years / 45000 km
Not Available
Service Plan Distance
3 Years / 45000 km
Not Available
Alternator
120A
-
Service Plan
3 Years / 45000 km
Not Available
Service Intervals
15000 km / 12 months
-
Accessory Battery Type
Lead-acid
-
Spec
i20
Taigo
Warranty Years
5
3 years / 120 000 km
Warranty Kilometers
5
3 years / 120 000 km
Roadside Assistance
5 Years
-
Anti-Corrosion Warranty
5 Years
-
Basic Warranty
5
3 years / 120 000 km
Roadside Assistance
5 Years
-
Warranty
5
3 years / 120 000 km
Warranty Roadside Assistance
5 Years
-
Spec
i20
Taigo
CO2 Emissions
110 g/km
123 g/km
Start Stop System
No
-
Hybrid System Type
Not Available
Not Available
Variable Valve Timing
Yes
-
Fuel Octane Requirement
Unleaded 95
Petrol
Particulate Filter
Not Available
Not Available
Euro Emission Standard
Euro 6
-
Idle CO2 Output
110
123
Fuel Evaporation Control
Yes
-
CO2 Emissions G Km
110
123
Spec
i20
Taigo
Ownership Role
Fluid
South Africa market model
Price Zar
328900 ZAR
581500 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current listed price
Active local lineup
Starting Price
328900
581500
Starting Price Zar
328900
581500
In depth: how these cars differ
This i20 and Taigo 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 Taigo 36.
Efficiency index: i20 59 vs Taigo 63.
Safety-equipment index: i20 84 vs Taigo 81.
Practicality index: i20 61 vs Taigo 66.
Ownership-cover index: i20 65 vs Taigo 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.
Model imagery
i20 and Taigo image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
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 0 points
i20 and Taigo are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
i20
Performance
37/100
Efficiency
59/100
Safety
84/100
Practicality
61/100
Ownership
65/100
Taigo
Performance
36/100
Efficiency
63/100
Safety
81/100
Practicality
66/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexHyundai i20
leads the specification evidence index with 61 pts
vs 61 pts for Taigo
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, i20 leads. However, Taigo may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
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.
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