Hyundai i20 N 2022: release date and price for Australia announced

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The 2022 Hyundai i20 N will arrive in Australia in the fourth quarter of 2021 with a list price of $32,490 before on-road costs.

Pint-sized and full of fizz, the new i20 N arrives as a junior sibling to Hyundai’s successful first hot hatch, the i30 N.

We’ve driven the i20 N on track and found it a bag of fun – possibly even better than the i30 N.

A forthcoming facelift and price hike to the i30 N means the hot new i20 will be considerably more affordable, with a substantial $12,010 gulf saving for those opting for the smaller car.

Hyundai i20 N price revealed

Importantly, the i20 N gives Hyundai an entry into the compact hot hatch class, where it will pose a serious challenge to the Volkswagen Polo GTI ($32,890) and the Ford Fiesta ST ($32,290).

Like the Ford, the i20 N is available only with a six-speed manual gearbox with selectable auto rev-matching, while the Polo GTI is sold only with a dual clutch automatic gearbox.

Meanwhile, the larger i30 N is now available for order with a choice of a manual transmission (from $44,500) or a new eight-speed dual-clutch auto (from $47,500).

Engine, weight and 0-100km/h time

Under the bonnet of the rally-bred i20 N is a 1.6-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder borrowed from the larger i30 N Line and Kia Cerato GT – but here it produces 150kW and 275Nm, with a more muscular 304Nm of torque available on overboost.

Those overboost numbers are good enough to make the i20 N the most powerful in segment, besting the 147kW/290Nm Fiesta, while the Polo GTI continues to be the torquiest with 147kW/320Nm.

Weighing in at just 1,213kg, the i20 N is 265kg lighter than its larger sibling, the i30 N – meaning its claimed 6.2sec 0-100km/h time is just 0.3sec behind the bigger hatch despite being at a disadvantage of 56kW/88Nm.

The i20 N is front-wheel-drive, but a mechanically-locking limited slip differential is fitted as standard, as is a beefy performance braking package beneath 18-inch wheels and Pirelli P Zero HN rubber.

This new entrant should provide WRC fans with a much less expensive rally-inspired road car alternative to the $49,500 all-wheel-drive Toyota GR Yaris, which is similar in size to the Hyundai but sits in the class above on performance terms.

Standard equipment detailed

Unlike the i30 N, which is available with a luxury option package, just one specification of i20 N will be available to Australian buyers from Q4 2021.

For Australia, the i20 N will be quite generously equipped. The standard equipment list takes in:

• 18-inch alloys in Pirelli P Zero HN tyres
• Active variable exhaust
• Mechanical limited slip differential
• LED headlights and tail lights
• Sports front bucket seats in black leather/cloth mix
• Leather steering wheel
• Alloy sports pedals
• Two 10.25-inch screens
• Satellite navigation
• DAB+ digital radio
• Wired Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto
• Wireless smartphone charging
• Bose premium stereo with seven speakers
• Climate control
• Manual cruise control
• Auto wipers
• Tyre pressure monitoring
• Space saver spare wheel

Five colours will be offered, with three colours being offered at no cost. These free colours are the Hyundai N hero colour, Performance Blue solid, as well as Polar White solid and Sleek Silver metallic. 

A further $495 buys Phantom Black mica or Dragon Red mica, while a contrast black roof can be optioned to any other colour for $1,000. No further options are available.

Plenty of safety tech, crash ratings unknown

The i20 N comes with a decent list of standard safety technology for a light car, including:

• Camera-driven city-speed forwards AEB with pedestrian detection
• Lane keep assist
• Lane follow assist
• Blind spot monitoring
• Rear cross traffic alert
• Driver attention warning
• Parking sensors front and rear
• Reversing camera

A crash test rating is not yet available for the i20 N.

Hyundai i20 N release date

The i20 N will be generally available in Australia in the fourth quarter of 2021, which spans October 2021 to December 2021.

A full review will be available when the i20 N is launched in Australia in the coming months.

Hyundai i20 N 2022: prices in Australia

All prices listed are before on-road costs.

• i20 N: $32,490