Hyundai i20 versus VW Polo Vivo

[LancelotSA]

Why not consider the Corsa?

From past memory they are tiny...

Corsa Lite with A/C = R98,650 + R3,000 for Radio

I don't see mention of ABS or airbags, electric windows, central locking etc(?) and no service plan included.

A reasonable size boot is required for prams, push bikes etc. Memory again seems to show that the Corsa has hardly any boot. The i20 was actually rather large for the price.

 

[HapticSimian]

So far most comments seem to favour the i20 with the only ones against it coming from a VW salesman (hee heee just teasing enigma).

I work for them - what do you expect me to do?

As I said initially the i20 does make a compelling argument - you're unlikely to be unhappy with it. The cars' virtues lie in different areas... My angle is simply that the Vivo gets a lot of derision thrown its way, something which isn't always deserved. It's a decent little cabbie given current warped conditions in the new car market - lacking in the bling department, but still a solid purchase none the less.

Oh, and the more pricey radio on the Vivo also has blue teeth.

 

[Brawler]

Not a Corsa lite! sis!

New Corsa is fantastic, much better than i20, Polo etc.

 

[LancelotSA]

Not a Corsa lite! sis!

New Corsa is fantastic, much better than i20, Polo etc.

I assumed you were referring to the Corsa Lite as the Corsa starts at R162,350. No MP3 support on radio as standard, no onboard computer on base model. But yeah, it does look like a better option than the Vivo.

EDIT : OK, it must be sign that we should look at the Corsa!

 

[Brawler]

The entry i20 is R149990, why would you think I would refer to a < R100000 Corsa lite?
Anyway, the new Corsa starts at R158000, not too much more and in my unbiased opinion it is worth the extra. Take it for a test drive.

 

[LancelotSA]

The entry i20 is R149990, why would you think I would refer to a < R100000 Corsa lite?
Anyway, the new Corsa starts at R158000, not too much more and in my unbiased opinion it is worth the extra. Take it for a test drive.

would you mind if I asked for specifics for your reasoning that is it worth the extra?

 

[Brawler]

Drive rental Yaris, i20, Polo and Corsa quite a bit.

Corsa's quality seems best overall.
Interior is very nice and quality of materials seems better than the others, seats are comfortable, doors are nice and solid etc.
Styling is subjective but im pretty sure most will say the Corsa is also looking..
Engine and handling seem better to, feels like an Astra.

I am not trying to sell the car, am not affiliated to them and don't even own an Opel. Just take it for a test drive and you decide.

 

[LancelotSA]

Drive rental Yaris, i20, Polo and Corsa quite a bit.

Corsa's quality seems best overall.
Interior is very nice and quality of materials seems better than the others, seats are comfortable, doors are nice and solid etc.
Styling is subjective but im pretty sure most will say the Corsa is also looking..
Engine and handling seem better to, feels like an Astra.

I am not trying to sell the car, am not affiliated to them and don't even own an Opel. Just take it for a test drive and you decide.

Cool. I did not for one moment think you were trying to sell them. It is just nice to get opinions.

With you having been in a number of cars could you comment on the spaciousness? I have always imagined the Corsa to be one of the smaller cars but I have not sat in a new one.

The one thing I do find happening is that you originally go looking for something at around R130,000. Before long you have snuck up to R150,000. Then you realise another brand can be had at R160,000. The result increase in price results in better specs usually so you have changed your ball park totally. If we are now looking at 160 odd thousand then I think we should see what else is in that price range. Maybe something less entry level.... it is a never ending loop!

The "annoying" thing is that I got my exceptionally specced 2.0l Renault Scenic for next to nothing second hand and it is far superior to all these cars so then you also think should you just go second hand again.... damn it is never easy! ha ha

 

[Brawler]

Not sure of specifics but they are all roughly the same size, have not sat in the back seats of any of them but the boot of the Corsa is nice and big.
The i20 comes standard with more accessories though than the Corsa and Polo.

As I said earlier though I am a bit skeptical about the i20 after the practically brand new cars key broke into pieces in my hand but I suppose it was just a dud. Audio system also seemed a bit weak and throttle delay(if thats what its called) was evident.

 

[boramk]

If we turn this into a Corsa vs i20, there will once again be an overwhelming choice for the i20
Lancelot, I suggest looking elsewhere on other sites, the i20 has much buzz around the world, really is a good car with no strings..

Corsa's are not bad cars (although I must say when driving it, it feels flimsy, almost as if, if you got hit by another car, you go SPLAT), but I wouldn't touch anything from GM. We would be running out of spare parts soon xD

 

[Brawler]

The one thing I do find happening is that you originally go looking for something at around R130,000. Before long you have snuck up to R150,000. Then you realise another brand can be had at R160,000. The result increase in price results in better specs usually so you have changed your ball park totally. If we are now looking at 160 odd thousand then I think we should see what else is in that price range. Maybe something less entry level.... it is a never ending loop!

The "annoying" thing is that I got my exceptionally specced 2.0l Renault Scenic for next to nothing second hand and it is far superior to all these cars so then you also think should you just go second hand again.... damn it is never easy! ha ha

I was about to say maybe save up a bit for a Kia Cerato 1.6 Good looking, nice engine, full of features, big, good safety rating and 5 year service plan.

 

[the graduate]

Well my aunt was given a 1.4 i20 by Hyundai waiting for her Atos...and we got to have a look at it up close and personal. We went on holiday with them to Swakopmund in Namibia during the December holiday an it recorded 6l/100km doing 120-140km/h with air-con running...

The car has alot of boot space and ample legroom in the rear. I could compare it directly to the Polo 1.6 Comfortline and the Hyundai beats it hands down in kit, warranty and service plan...I think a demo 1.6 will cost you around the R150k mark. If its for the GF and its her first car, then the 5 year/150 000km warranty will be hard to beat in anyone's book. That some serious piece of mind. Consider if you bought that car over 54 months, you will still have 6 months left on the warranty...

have you considered the Citreon C3...that thing looks really good...

 

[LancelotSA]

If we turn this into a Corsa vs i20, there will once again be an overwhelming choice for the i20
Lancelot, I suggest looking elsewhere on other sites, the i20 has much buzz around the world, really is a good car with no strings..

Corsa's are not bad cars (although I must say when driving it, it feels flimsy, almost as if, if you got hit by another car, you go SPLAT), but I wouldn't touch anything from GM. We would be running out of spare parts soon xD

Ha ha believe me I do ridiculous amounts of online research before spending my money on other things so this has most certainly not been my only research. What I like about getting opinions on here is that they are South African specific and you can chat to the person rather than just reading a review.

Yeah, GM is a little concerning at the mo. I did have an old Opel which did me well though but times they change. I'll probably let the chick jump in a Corsa. I have an inkling that she is not keen on them though so that would be the critical thing!

 

[HapticSimian]

Hey, hey, hey... now you chaps are changing the playing field completely. Bring the Corsa (non-lite) into things, and now you're in new Polo territory. My affiliation to VW aside (if you can believe that) aside, the new Polo wipes the floor with any other car in its segment.

Local, European and World COTY awards say all that needs to be said...

 

[LancelotSA]

Hey, hey, hey... now you chaps are changing the playing field completely. Bring the Corsa (non-lite) into things, and now you're in new Polo territory. My affiliation to VW aside (if you can believe that) aside, the new Polo wipes the floor with any other car in its segment.

Local, European and World COTY awards say all that needs to be said...

You see, there we go, we are now heading towards R170,000 now (In fact over R170,000 with the service plan!)

 

[HapticSimian]

You see, there we go, we are now heading towards R170,000 now (In fact over R170,000 with the service plan!)

That's why step # 1 should be to set a budget. Step # 2 should be to stick to it, come hell or high water. As with anything in life, there's always something newer, better, bigger, faster and shinier for just a little more. You do end up in an endless spiral...

If you're willing to stretch the budget, go for a new Polo 1.4i Trendline with radio & A/C added - that'll come to about R170k with a service plan bolted on. If you don't want to go quite that high, but still have fancy-schmancy bits to fiddle with go for the i20. If you want to get a decent, albeit boring, car for as low a price as possible, go Vivo 1.4i

And yes, the Polo is worth the bit extra in this instance - it is simply that good. Don't take my word for it, though; read any of the recent write-ups - it has significantly shifted the goal posts for small cars.

 

[Brawler]

Been in the new 1.4 Polo and wasn't too impressed, like the 1.6tdi though

 

[the_don46]

Lancelot, from someone who's owned 2x Corsa (non Lite) back to back, don't get one... The service is okay while under warranty, outside warranty it's shocking and pricing even more so...

Next, the Corsa Lite (I know we not talking about this car for your girlfriend) had a never ending rear windscreen exploding issue. The corsa with high mounted rear lights had an issue with steering rack and front headlight bulbs including fog lamps not lasting. If the car is out of warranty the steering rack is replaced at your expense at R12k.

Yes, you guessed it, I won't be buying another GM product again which is a pity coz I love the Astra OPC.

So, my most recent car happens to be a Ford Focus 2.0 (1 year old with 14 000km on the clock). It comes with a 4 year / 120k warranty and 5 year / 90k service plan. It's a proper car but it's not new. My only other choice under R200k (actually was not prepared to go over R170k) was Polo, or Hyuandai i20 1.6. If I hadn't have found the Focus, I would have bought the i20 no questions asked. I have driven both cars and the Polo doesn't come close to the i20...

I had to give my 2c.. coz personally, I think your price range warrants only one NEW car option in the entire market.

 

[boramk]

Look if you want to break up with your girlfriend, get something other than an i20

 

[Fudzy]

If you're willing to stretch the budget, go for a new Polo 1.4i Trendline with radio & A/C added - that'll come to about R170k with a service plan bolted on.

Lol, the 1.6 i20 is that price WITH service plan included.