Is a Hyundai i20 a good first car?
Yes, in ordinary S Air or SE trim: the i20's low-group petrol versions sit in group 4 to 9, though used i20s tend to be newer and pricier than some rivals, so check the price range before assuming it's a budget option.
The numbers*
| Insurance group | Group 4 to 27, depending on engine and trim. Ordinary 1.0 to 1.2 petrol versions mostly sit in group 4 to 9. |
|---|---|
| Typical used price | £9,400 to £16,000 on the used market (most trims and years), noticeably pricier than several other models here because used i20s tend to be newer |
| Road tax | £20 to £200 a year depending on registration date and engine, since the 2017 VED reform changed how it's calculated. Most post-2017 petrol i20s pay the current flat rate, around £190 to £200. |
| Fuel economy | 45 to 76 mpg combined on the low-group 1.0 to 1.4 petrol and diesel engines (official, combined cycle); diesel variants pull the top end up; petrol alone mostly sits in the low-to-mid 50s |
| Euro NCAP rating | 4 stars (Euro NCAP); adult protection 76-88%, child protection 82-83%, pedestrian protection 64-76% depending on generation |
Ins grp 4 Hyundai i20 S Air
- Standard
- £1,709/yr
- Telematics
- £1,224/yr
Standard monthly £142/mo
Ins grp 5 Hyundai i20 SE
- Standard
- £1,720/yr
- Telematics
- £1,232/yr
Standard monthly £143/mo
Labels go by monthly insurance: Manageable up to £150, Getting pricey £151 to £200, Danger zone over £200.
Why parents like it
Hyundai's 5-year warranty (extendable second-hand on some models) gives real reassurance on a used first car, and the ordinary low-group petrol versions keep insurance manageable. Every generation still commonly for sale carries a 4-star Euro NCAP rating.
Why new drivers like it
It's a modern, well-equipped small car for the money, with more standard kit than several rivals at the same price point, and it's common enough on the used market for real choice.
The catch
Unlike some other first cars, the i20's low-group range barely moves cost-wise between group 4 and group 5: real quotes of £1,709 and £1,720 to £1,762 a year are a few pounds apart. The bigger gap is used price, not insurance: used i20s tend to be newer and pricier than several rivals here. The higher-group N Line and turbo trims sit in higher groups, so get an exact quote before you commit to one.
Which version to look for
Look for the 1.0 to 1.2 petrol in S Air, SE or Premium trim, commonly 2017 to 2019 registration: it's the most plentiful version on the used market and sits in group 4 to 9. Avoid anything badged N Line, 1.0T GDi with a DCT gearbox, or the performance-focused N variant, which climb into group 11 and up.
* Sources: First Car Scout vehicle listing and insurance-group data (August 2026).