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Hyundai i20 vs Renault Clio comparison

Compare performance (90 HP vs 158 HP), boot space and price (18,600 £ vs 17,100 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Hyundai i20 or Renault Clio?

Hyundai i20 vs Renault Clio: Key differences

Hyundai i20

4 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • only slightly lighter
  • very slightly more trunk space
details

Renault Clio

4.7 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • barely cheaper
  • clearly more power
  • noticeably more efficient
  • clearly quicker 0–100 km/h
details

All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

By Achim Sedelmaier

i20

Hyundai i20 vs Renault Clio — a practical versus polished small car face-off

The Hyundai i20 vs Renault Clio pairing sums up a familiar choice: a straightforward, roomy small hatch against a more refined, tech-forward rival. The Hyundai i20 arrives with obvious everyday strengths — generous cabin space and a big, usable boot — while the Renault Clio leans on quieter cruising, slick infotainment and the option of a frugal hybrid. That contrast frames most decisions: do you want maximum day-to-day practicality or lower running costs and a more modern in-cabin experience? In the paragraphs that follow we lay out how those differences feel in real urban, family and motorway life.

Clio

Character and driving feel: steady usefulness vs composed refinement

The Hyundai i20 drives like a sensible small car — light steering, predictable manners and enough agility for urban lanes without drama, which suits drivers who prefer confidence over excitement. The Renault Clio feels more grown-up on the move: the chassis and steering bias a composed, planted feel that makes longer runs less tiring and higher-speed stability more assured. Where the i20 trades some long‑distance hush and engine shove for simplicity and a lower perceived running fuss, the Clio trades a touch of back‑seat tightness and a higher loading sill for that calmer, more refined ride. That creates a clear choice for buyers who prioritize visceral driving fun versus those who value steady, low-effort progress.

i20

Comfort and long-distance behavior: room and usefulness versus quiet cruising

On long trips the Renault Clio will likely feel less fatiguing thanks to better noise insulation and a more relaxed motorway character, which benefits commuters and regular highway users. The Hyundai i20, in contrast, shows its strengths in space — the front seats are airy and the rear accommodates adults more generously, making it friendlier for families on mixed journeys. The trade-off is audible wind and tyre noise at higher speeds in the i20 and a slightly firmer low-speed ride, whereas the Clio soaks bumps more serenely but can feel tighter for rear occupants. So your typical route — short urban hops with occasional luggage or sustained motorway miles — should steer your preference here.

Clio

City friendliness and everyday usability: easy parking and practical touches vs hybrid efficiency and tech

In town the Hyundai i20 is a very accessible companion: easy steering, practical switchgear and a large boot that makes school runs and grocery trips straightforward without fuss. The Renault Clio brings its biggest urban advantage when fitted with the hybrid system — it can run significant distances in electric‑lean mode, cutting fuel use and smoothing stop‑start traffic. However, Clio’s higher boot lip and a more cramped rear make loading bulky items and shuttling rear passengers less convenient than the i20’s more utilitarian layout. For city buyers who want the lowest running costs and the latest infotainment, the Clio nudges ahead; for those who want uncompromised day‑to‑day practicality, the i20 stays compelling.

i20

Cabin feel and perceived quality: modern tech sheen vs honest practicality

The Renault Clio stands out for a modern, responsive infotainment and an interior that can feel upscale in higher trims, so drivers who care about slick UX and perceived tech quality will notice the difference immediately. The Hyundai i20 prioritizes physical controls and straightforward ergonomics, which many buyers appreciate for ease of use, but its plastics and finishes read as more utilitarian than premium. Both cars show cost-conscious material choices in mid-level trims, yet the Clio’s software polish often elevates the perceived cabin value even when trim materials are similar. If cabin ambience and the latest connected features are priorities, Clio has the edge; if simple, durable practicality and button-first operation matter more, the i20 is the sensible pick.

Clio

Buyer fit: who should pick the Hyundai i20 and who should favour the Renault Clio

Pick the Hyundai i20 if your priority is space, straightforward functionality and the best day‑to‑day practicality: it suits small families, buyers who carry luggage regularly and drivers who prefer intuitive physical controls. Choose the Renault Clio if you want lower real-world running costs, a quieter motorway experience and a modern, fast infotainment system — ideal for tech‑minded commuters and those who do a lot of miles. Each car makes a clear trade-off between usefulness and refinement, so let your typical routes, passenger needs and tolerance for acoustic/ergonomic compromises decide. The technical comparison that follows will unpack the drivetrain and efficiency differences that turn those everyday tendencies into concrete buying consequences.

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

i20

Costs and Efficiency:

When it comes to price and running costs, the biggest differences usually appear. This is often where you see which car fits your budget better in the long run.

Renault Clio is barely cheaper – starting at 17,100 £ , while the Hyundai i20 costs 18,600 £ . That’s a price difference of around 1,543 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Renault Clio uses 4.1 L/100km and is noticeably more efficient than the Hyundai i20 with 5.7 L/100km. The difference is about 1.6 L/100km.

Clio

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration say a lot about how a car feels on the road. This is where you see which model delivers more driving dynamics.

When it comes to engine power, the Renault Clio offers clearly more power – delivering 158 HP compared to 90 HP. That’s roughly 68 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Renault Clio is clearly quicker – completing the sprint in 8.3 s, while the Hyundai i20 takes 11.5 s. That’s about 3.2 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Renault Clio delivers marginally more torque with 190 Nm compared to 172 Nm. That’s about 18 Nm more.

i20

Space and Everyday Use:

Beyond pure performance, interior space and usability matter most in daily life. This is where you see which car is more practical and versatile.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, Hyundai i20 is only slightly lighter – 1,145 kg compared to 1,202 kg. The difference is around 57 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Hyundai i20 offers very slightly more boot space – 352 L compared to 327 L. That’s a difference of about 25 L.

When it comes to payload, the Hyundai i20 carries very slightly more – 465 kg compared to 463 kg. That’s a difference of about 2 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Renault Clio is clearly superior overall in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £17,100
Clio

Renault Clio

  • Engine Type : Petrol, Full Hybrid
  • Transmission : Manuel, Automatic
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 115 - 158 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 4.1 - 5.2 L/100km
Hyundai i20
Renault Clio

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis

Hyundai i20

The Hyundai i20 is a cheeky small car that mixes smart styling with sensible practicality, feeling more polished and roomy than you might expect for the money. It’s an easy car to live with, offering engaging handling, a comfy cabin and useful equipment that make daily commutes and weekend errands notably less dull.

details

Renault Clio

The Renault Clio is a smartly styled and practical compact hatch that feels at home in city traffic while offering a surprisingly refined ride. It pairs user-friendly tech and a comfortable interior with a reputation for being economical and easy to live with.

details
Hyundai i20
Renault Clio

Costs and Consumption

Price
18,600 - 24,000 £
Price
17,100 - 23,700 £
Consumption L/100km
5.7 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
4.1 - 5.2 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
128 - 129 g/km
co2
92 - 118 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
Hatchback
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,145 - 1,170 kg
Curb weight
1,202 - 1,316 kg
Trunk capacity
352 L
Trunk capacity
301 - 327 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,775 mm
Width
1,768 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
455 - 465 kg
Payload
453 - 463 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Petrol
Engine Type
Petrol, Full Hybrid
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic, Automatic Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
90 HP
Power HP
115 - 158 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
11.5 - 12.8 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
8.3 - 10.3 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
172 Nm
Torque
190 Nm
Number of Cylinders
3
Number of Cylinders
3 - 4
Power kW
66 kW
Power kW
84 - 116 kW
Engine capacity
998 cm3
Engine capacity
1,199 - 1,789 cm3

General

Model Year
2025
Model Year
2026
CO2 Efficiency Class
D
CO2 Efficiency Class
C, D, B
Brand
Hyundai
Brand
Renault
DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.