Hyundai i20 versus VW Polo Vivo

[LancelotSA]

Opinions wanted please.

The choice for the GF was the Hyundai i20 1.4 but now I took a peek at the VW Polo Vivo 1.4 and was interested in some opinions.

The Hyundai will cost R149,900.
The Vivo with the extras needed to compare would be R130,790.

But the following still favours the Hyundai :

* Electric windows - Vivo does not even have this as an option
* Power - Vivo shows 55KW@5000. i20 74KW@5500. These numbers have never meant much to be but I assume that means the 1.4 i20 engine is a lot better? The Trendline Vivo will give you 63KW but cost you R8,000 more than the base Vivo.
* Warranty - Vivo 3yr/120 000km. i20 5 Year/150 000 km. Peace of mind?

Anything else missing? Opinions?

 

[orin76]

Polo Vivo is hard to beat price wise, but considering this is SA, the fact that criminals prefer the Polo to the i20 would be the decider. Last thing I want is to have my new car "liberated". Also, I consider Hyundai reliability to be superior to VW on average.

 

[boramk]

Hyundai i20 is much superior

 

[mak2000]

+ i20 comes with a 3yr/60000km Service plan
Central Locking + Auto locking (important for women)
Lesser chance of being Hijacked for the car

 

[LancelotSA]

Another thing picked up regarding brakes :

Vivo Front disc /Rear drum

i20 Front disc / Rear solid disc

 

[LancelotSA]

+ i20 comes with a 3yr/60000km Service plan
Central Locking + Auto locking (important for women)
Lesser chance of being Hijacked for the car

Yeah, I added the service plan and alarm/central locking into the Vivo base model to get the comparative price. I forgot about the auto lock feature though. Not an option on the Vivo and I have grown to like it on my Renault. No need to check all the doors.

 

[HapticSimian]

Having worked for both, I'll say one thing... let's see what the i20 looks like in 10 years.

If longevity is of lesser importance, the i20 does offer a very nice package for the price. It's the only 'affordable' brand that I can actually fathom people spending their hard-earned money on. All things considered, I'd still opt for the VeeDub.

PS - Autolock at 20km/h isn't an option on the Vivo by itself, it's a standard function of the optional alarm/central locking.

 

[LancelotSA]

Having worked for both, I'll say one thing... let's see what the i20 looks like in 10 years.

If longevity is of lesser importance, the i20 does offer a very nice package for the price. It's the only 'affordable' brand that I can actually fathom people spending their hard-earned money on. All things considered, I'd still opt for the VeeDub.

PS - Autolock at 20km/h isn't an option on the Vivo by itself, it's a standard function of the optional alarm/central locking.

I'd appreciate if you could provide a little more substance to the comment about longevity. I have seen a number of original Getz still on the road looking good. Not quite 10 years yet but still.

The problem with the Vivo is that it is already an "old" car.

Your comment about being the only affordable car you can fathom spending money on is confusing as you then say you'd choose the VW... which is also an affordable car. In fact more so.

Thanks for the info on the autolock.

 

[the_don46]

+ i20 comes with a 3yr/60000km Service plan
Central Locking + Auto locking (important for women)
Lesser chance of being Hijacked for the car

Actually, the Hyundai's service plans were bumped up to 5 year / 100 000km service plan with a 5 year / 150 000km warranty.

The i20 is a much better car (as I have stated in other posts, the Vivo lacks some outside noise insulation). As for the power, the Vivo is more than likely lighter where the i20 is heavier so they'll probably perform similar. If I had to choose, it would be the i20. I would spend the extra R10k and get the i20 1.6. I've driven one, and they are awesome cars. I believe it's the best new car under R200k.

 

[LancelotSA]

Actually, the Hyundai's service plans were bumped up to 5 year / 100 000km service plan with a 5 year / 150 000km warranty.

The i20 is a much better car (as I have stated in other posts, the Vivo lacks some outside noise insulation). As for the power, the Vivo is more than likely lighter where the i20 is heavier so they'll probably perform similar. If I had to choose, it would be the i20. I would spend the extra R10k and get the i20 1.6. I've driven one, and they are awesome cars. I believe it's the best new car under R200k.

The i20 has the 3yr/60 000km service plan. There was a special on in Feb which gave 5yr/100 000km. I might speak to the manager and see if we can wangle it.

The 1.6 does seem good for an extra R10,000 but then I suppose you get worse fuel economy... (actually just looked and it is only slightly worse).

 

[HapticSimian]

I'd appreciate if you could provide a little more substance to the comment about longevity. I have seen a number of original Getz still on the road looking good. Not quite 10 years yet but still.

Mechanically Hyundais are very sound, but my comment relates more to the general levels of engineering, quality control and material quality evident in their cars. A European car, however clichéd it may sound, is bound to age better because they are simply designed and engineered to a more exacting standard than Eastern cars. European > Japanese > Korean > American > Chinese > Indian, if you will.

The problem with the Vivo is that it is already an "old" car.

An 'old' car that, for 4 years running, ruled the roost on the local passenger car market. It's a proven entity with one of the largest, most committed local presences of any manufacturer standing behind it. Sure, it ain't cutting edge, but it was more than 8 years ahead of the Koreans at launch as far as I'm concerned.

Your comment about being the only affordable car you can fathom spending money on is confusing as you then say you'd choose the VW... which is also an affordable car. In fact more so.

"Brand" ≠ "car". A V10 Touareg nudges R1,000,000 whereas all Hyundais are targeted at the lower monetary end of their target markets.

Thanks for the info on the autolock.

Sure.

The gist of what I'm trying to convey is that, for people looking for maximum bang for their buck, the Hyundai makes a compelling argument. However, if you weight non-apparent benefits such as build quality, fit and finish, structural integrity (and by proxy, protection afforded in a crash) and retention of residual value of equal or greater importance than bells 'n whistles, European is the way to go.

I could rabbit on about percentages of highest grades of steel used, full-body galvanising, multi-layered paint finishes and whatnot, but the bottom-line is a VW will outlast a Hyundai... even if it does look a little middle-of-the-road while doing so.

 

[dj_jyno]

Does it have to be new? There are some very good secondhand Polo 1.4 Comfortlines out there.

 

[the_don46]

The gist of what I'm trying to convey is that, for people looking for maximum bang for their buck, the Hyundai makes a compelling argument. However, if you weight non-apparent benefits such as build quality, fit and finish, structural integrity (and by proxy, protection afforded in a crash) and retention of residual value of equal or greater importance than bells 'n whistles, European is the way to go.

I could rabbit on about percentages of highest grades of steel used, full-body galvanising, multi-layered paint finishes and whatnot, but the bottom-line is a VW will outlast a Hyundai... even if it does look a little middle-of-the-road while doing so.

So, what you do you have to say regarding the i20's crash rating? It has a 5star NCAP doesn't it? Doesn't it score higher than the outgoing Polo (essentially the "new" vivo)?

 

[LancelotSA]

Mechanically Hyundais are very sound, but my comment relates more to the general levels of engineering, quality control and material quality evident in their cars. A European car, however clichéd it may sound, is bound to age better because they are simply designed and engineered to a more exacting standard than Eastern cars. European > Japanese > Korean > American > Chinese > Indian, if you will.

But the Vivo is locally produced in Uitenhage with 70% local parts. By all accounts from comments on this forum that should be a worse thing!

"Brand" ≠ "car". A V10 Touareg nudges R1,000,000 whereas all Hyundais are targeted at the lower monetary end of their markets.

Ahh, fair enough but the question here was a choice between the i20 and the Vivo. A comment relating to the VW being your choice leads one to assume you meant the Vivo. I would much prefer the Tucson to the i20 but we need to stay in the same ball park here. If there is a better option, including all the features, for +- R150,000 feel free to share it.

The gist of what I'm trying to convey is that, for people looking for maximum bang for their buck, the Hyundai makes a compelling argument. However, if you weight non-apparent benefits such as build quality, fit and finish, structural integrity (and by proxy, protection afforded in a crash) and retention of residual value of equal or greater importance than bells 'n whistles, European is the way to go.

Just relating to crashes I was lead to believe the i20 performed really well in the NCAP ratings. I have not checked the Vivo. That would be a clincher for me!

 

[LancelotSA]

Does it have to be new? There are some very good secondhand Polo 1.4 Comfortlines out there.

My initial argument was for getting a better spec/better model second hand but the girlfriend's persuasion and some thought relating to service plans/ warranties etc lead us back to looking at new. I realise you could probably get these on a good second hand car too at a cost.

 

[boramk]

Hyundai cars have really gotten top edge recently, they are the 4th largest in the world now, and to say the crappy Vivo will do better, simply because its european is myopic at best..
Check the specs, the crash rating, interior, exterior, extra features, the i20 annihilates the poor attempt at a Citi Golf replacement

 

[Vegeta]

Went through exactly the same thing with a friend looked at both these cars i went along for some joy rides. Go test drive the i20 and the Vivo... If you pick the Vivo you need your head examined by the best doctors money can by.
the 1.6 i20 makes 91kw! the 1.4 makes 74kw you can feel the difference between the VW's old kark citi golf engines and these modern engines

We're talking about: remote steering wheel controls, on board computer, electric windows, ABS, EBD, disc brakes all round, electric power steering not pump, ipod connector, Cooler box clove compartment all standard on the i20

Seriously if this is a tough choice go see a shrink! o wait 5year 150000 warranty. After that you need to go to a loony bin if the vivo is still an option

 

[the_don46]

Went through exactly the same thing with a friend looked at both these cars i went along for some joy rides. Go test drive the i20 and the Vivo... If you pick the Vivo you need your head examined by the best doctors money can by.
the 1.6 i20 makes 91kw! the 1.4 makes 74kw you can feel the difference between the VW's old kark citi golf engines and these modern engines

Were talking about: remote steering wheel controls, on board computer, ABS, disc brakes all round, ipod connector, Cooler box clove compartment all standard on the i20

Seriously if this is a tough choice go see a shrink!

+1

 

[boramk]

but the bottom-line is a VW will outlast a Hyundai... even if it does look a little middle-of-the-road while doing so.

Those Getz we see are 8 years old, and still run strong, I'm pretty sure a Hyundai will be fine

 

[HapticSimian]

So, what you do you have to say regarding the i20's crash rating? It has a 5star NCAP doesn't it? Doesn't it score higher than the outgoing Polo (essentially the "new" vivo)?

"Old" Polo
Front impact: 12 points
Side impact: 18 points

i20
Front impact: 13.1 points
Side impact: 15.8 points

So, I've got five things to say...

1. To my knowledge, the weighting scale and testing method of the EuroNCAP tests have been adjusted slightly in the time since the '02 Polo test.
2. The most applicable test to the Vivo was conducted in 2002. There was no test of the 2005 facelifted Polo the Vivo is based on.
3. It depends on whether you're planning to plow head-on into another car, or whether you'd prefer to be T-boned.
4. Car designs are often shaped around the EuroNCAP method of testing. Although a good indicator, it does not necessarily translate into directly comparable real-word results.
5. Some EuroNCAP requisites are inane. Cars lose points for not having annoying seatbelt buzzers. If you're too thick to buckle up, that ain't the car's problem. Also, when I'm doing 30km/h in the Kruger, I'd prefer not having something that sounds like a failing icecream van's tune ringing in my ear.

Subjectively it looks to me like the Polo's structure held up better.