Hyundai i20 N | Spotted

The i30 was great, the i20 perhaps even better - and the market is reflecting that

By Matt Bird / Wednesday, 10 June 2026 / Loading comments

Good news, then: the Peugeot 208 GTI is back. Yes, it’s electric and, yes, it’s five-door only, but greater obstacles have been overcome in creating brilliant hot hatches before. From the get-go, the old 208 was significantly better than the 207 GTI that it replaced, and it would evolve into the by Peugeot Sport models - they were absolute crackers.

The return of Peugeot means the junior hot hatch ranks continue to be bolstered, which is nice to see after a couple of years of tumbleweed. There are even rumours of a Fiesta comeback. From Honda Super N to Hyundai Ioniq 5N, there are battery powered five doors of all shapes and sizes available. Sure, they’re very different from what came before (after many years of little change) - to some extent they had to be. And scooting around lanes on instant electric power is a lot of fun.

But it’s undoubtedly a big upheaval for hot hatches, with little sign of the old ways returning. Fortunately, if your idea of a pocket rocket has a combustion engine, a manual gearbox and a feisty attitude (chances are it is, as you’re on PH), then there’s plenty to pick from in the classifieds. Remember, for example, the Hyundai i20 N.

A short lived gem on sale from 2021 to 2024, the i20 distilled everything that had made the i30 equivalent so good - a capable, engaging chassis, decent value, a silly sound and a great manual - into a smaller, cheaper package. Entirely unsurprisingly, it was just as likeable, even with an engine that was only average by class standards.

To some extent, however, the Hyundai has always been overshadowed by the Fiesta ST. The Ford’s demise, coming as part of the end of all Fiestas, was inevitably going to chime with the buying public more than a small Hyundai flagship. And by the slimmest of margins, the ST was the more thrilling car to drive. But there was precious little in it - with or without the Ford as competition, the i20 was a brilliant hot hatch.

And a canny investment by the looks of it, too. While £20k is the ceiling for the Mk8 Fiesta ST on PH, anything up to £25,000 is being asked for the Hyundai. The very bottom is £18k; impressive for a car that launched at £24,995 half a decade ago. Like the larger i30, it seems that the end of combustion powered Hyundai Ns (after less than a decade) has buoyed values. It’s hardly like they’re tremendously rare, with almost 40 i20 Ns on PH right now. If you make a great petrol hatch, the people will buy it…

This one has just been listed this week, looking as smart as ever in Performance Blue. (Funny how what seemed OTT not long ago is much more desirable when it’s not around.) It’s certainly been enjoyed, with a couple of owners and more than 40k racked up before its first MOT. It means the next owner need not be precious at least, and the use is supported by four main dealer services and a recent pair of Michelins. Modern mischief really doesn’t come much more entertaining. And while £23k is more than a Fiesta, all the signs are that the Hyundai will retain its value better also. With some warranty still intact, don’t forget. So that’s fast, fun, practical and cheap to run, with strong residuals on top - this hot hatch thing might catch on…

SPECIFICATION | 2021 HYUNDAI I20 N

Engine: 1,598cc, turbocharged four-cyl
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 204@5,500-6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 203@1,750-4,500rpm (224@2,000-4,000rpm on overboost)
MPG: 40.4
CO2: 158g/km
Year registered: 2024
Recorded mileage: 43,500
Price new: £24,995 (2021, before options)
Yours for: £22,995