Hyundai i20 N vs Ford Fiesta ST: a virtual comparison

Why celebrate the unprecedented Hyundai i20 N? Because cars such as the i20 N are under threat. We can blame emissions, SUVs, the market, or whatever else we like, but the reality is that there are ever fewer small hot hatches - or pocket rockets, if you prefer.

Look at today’s market. Alongside the newly revealed Hyundai i20 N, there is its closest rival, the Ford Fiesta ST; the more mature and capable, though perhaps less thrilling, Volkswagen Polo GTI (whose order books are currently closed); the Mini Cooper S; and, as alternatives from the segment below, the 180 hp Abarth 595 and 695. That is all.

The French contenders have left the stage, with no plans or rumours suggesting that the current Renault Clio and Peugeot 208 generations will gain R.S. and GTI versions respectively - blame those dreaded CO₂ emissions calculations. A CUPRA Ibiza? Forget it: it has already been confirmed that there will not be one.

Ahh… The Toyota GR Yaris! No, it has not been forgotten. The fact is that, whether because of its specification (4WD), performance (261 hp), or price (starting at €45,000, around 50% more than a Fiesta ST), it operates in another league, closer to the offerings in the segment above.

Do you now see why cars like the Hyundai i20 N deserve to be celebrated?

Moreover, considering what the N division, led by Albert Biermann (formerly of BMW M), achieved with the i30 N, expectations for the i20 N could hardly be higher.

If the Ford Fiesta ST has recently been the “essential” choice in this class, who would have expected Hyundai to offer the first truly serious challenge to its dominance? Yes, we have not driven it yet, but colleagues abroad have already had an initial encounter with test prototypes, and their verdict is unequivocal: “habemus” machine!

The right time for a virtual comparison

First, here are their key specifications:

	Hyundai i20 N	Ford Fiesta ST
Engine	1.6 T-GDI, 4-cyl., turbo	1.5 EcoBoost, 3-cyl., turbo
Power	204 hp between 5500–6000 rpm	200 hp at 6000 rpm
Torque	275 Nm between 1750–4500 rpm	290 Nm between 1600–4000 rpm
Transmission	Front-wheel drive, 6-speed manual gearbox	Front-wheel drive, 6-speed manual gearbox
Weight	1190 kg	1283 kg
Tyres	215/40 R18	205/40 R18
0–100 km/h	6.7 sec	6.5 sec
Top speed	230 km/h	232 km/h

The picture is a closely matched one, with the Fiesta ST holding a slender advantage in outright performance - in the real world, I doubt anyone would notice the difference…

It is worth noting that the Fiesta ST is listed at more than 90 kg heavier than the i20 N, although the actual gap may be considerably smaller. We do not currently know whether the South Korean pocket rocket’s stated 1190 kg follows the EU standard, as the rival’s 1283 kg figure does. In practice, this could mean adding 75 kg to the i20 N’s quoted weight to comply with the EU standard. Should that prove to be the case, the pair would be separated by little more than 20 kg.

Although their power and torque outputs are not dramatically different - both delivering substantial torque from low revs - it remains to be seen whether the 1.6 T-GDI, already familiar from other Hyundai and Kia models but reworked for the i20 N, can be as lively as the Fiesta ST’s 1.5 EcoBoost. Furthermore, the 1.6 T-GDI’s extra cylinder should, in theory, bring fewer vibrations and a different soundtrack - one we have already heard…

Both use front-wheel drive and both retain an “old-school” six-speed manual gearbox - the right choice for toys of this kind - while the i20 N also includes automatic rev-matching as standard.

Hyundai i20 N dynamics and driving experience

However, the area in which the new Hyundai i20 N must genuinely match the Ford Fiesta ST is dynamics and driving enjoyment. In this respect, as the saying goes, “there is no equal” to the Fiesta ST. Its handling is as effective as it is engaging, with its interactive rear axle standing out; any twisting road becomes a genuine pleasure to explore.

That is something we have done ourselves. Watch our Ford Fiesta ST video review here:

Expectations for the i20 N are therefore high in this area, not least because of the impressive larger i30 N. While it is not as exuberant in its responses as certain rivals - the Mégane R.S. springs to mind, for instance - it wins you over through its effectiveness and balance. From its larger “brother”, the i20 N inherits a wide range of settings, allowing detailed adjustment of parameters such as steering and ESP (electronic stability control) intervention.

For drivers with the highest dynamic demands, both cars can be specified with an optional limited-slip differential. Straight-line fans can also have Launch Control on either model, although they are probably not the most obvious candidates for drag races.

The Ford Fiesta ST also stands out by being available with a three-door body - which unquestionably suits these sporting versions better - something the i20 N will not offer.

The financial calculation

Finally, pricing. We do not yet know how much the new Hyundai i20 N will cost, but the Ford Fiesta ST starts at approximately €31,000. The South Korean model is expected to remain close to that figure. Looking at the segment above for comparison, just over €1,500 separates the i30 N from the Focus ST, with the Ford being cheaper.

A technical draw?

For now, this is the virtual comparison available to us. Hopefully, we will repeat it in person soon. On paper, the two contenders appear evenly matched, but given the kind of cars they are, only several runs along a winding road will allow us to name a clear winner - or perhaps one that is not quite so clear…

We need more cars like these!