VW Polo GTI v Hyundai i20 N v Ford Fiesta ST review, 0-60mph & brake tested!

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It’s time for a mini hot hatch group test!

We’ve brought the new Hyundai i20 N, the Ford Fiesta ST & the VW Polo GTI together to find out which is the best hot hatch to pick up for under £30,000!

So how do they compare? Starting with the i20 N, it’s powered by a 1.6-litre 4 cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, which can deliver 204hp & 275Nm of torque.

Next up, we have the Ford Fiesta ST, which is housing a 1.5-litre 3 cylinder turbocharged engine under the bonnet. The power output is slightly down on the i20 N, at 200hp, but it produces more torque, clocking in at 290Nm.

And then finally we have the Polo GTI. It rolls up with a 2-litre 4 cylinder turbocharged engine which can put down 200hp & 320Nm.

In terms of price, both the Fiesta ST & i20 N will cost you around £25,000 (once you’ve added some essential options to the Fiesta - most come as standard with the i20 N!), whereas the Polo is that bit more expensive, at approximately £27,000.

So is the Polo worth the extra money, or are you better off with either the i20 N or the Fiesta ST? You’ll have to stick with Mat to find out!

Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:41 Engines
02:03 Exterior Designs
03:43 Brakes
04:57 Interiors
07:38 Suspension
08:39 Driving (Fiesta ST)
10:51 Driving (Polo GTI)
12:56 Driving (i20 N)
14:29 Practicality
15:16 0-60mph
16:47 Verdict

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[anthonybariek]

Imagine if you’d said, 10 years ago, that Hyundai would be producing hot hatches that were comparable to the Ford ST and VW GTI ranges. You’d have been sectioned under the mental health act.

[bonzobonanza]

Hyundai has been making some excellent cars recently, and I love it!

[Le_Rennais]

My standing in term of "which one sounds the best":
1-Hyundai i20 N
2-Ford Fiesta ST
3-VW Polo GTI

[AnonABC]

I love how well Hyundai has done with their N division after taking lots of BMW M division and Audi RS division engineers on, its really starting to show! Loved the i30 N and this wee i20 N is more than capable little bro!

[ddfefin]

As a Korean, I can't believe that Korean cars, which are still only about 50 years old, are well received in historic Europe! Matt! Thank you for your great reviews.

[Sunrazor]

The Hyundai would be my choice also. So much fun to drive. Actually likes that the engine has a redline above it's peak power. That gives some space to shift rather than having to almost hit the limiter every time. And the downshift rev-matching is fantastic. Great car.

[MM-wefu]

Remember the good old days when “I’m gonna poke it with a stick” was the Carwow thing

[cinimini]

I'm not in a position to own any car right now myself but watching those reviews actually make me really like what Hyundai brings up to the table. Seem to be great cars, all we'll have to see now is how reliable they are longterm wise.

[sanchaynarain]

The little Hyundai has really improved compared to its previous iterations!

[Jackoh]

Collected my i20N last month and I must say it’s the pick of the bunch!

I’ve driven the ST and yes it’s a really fun little car but the i20N has just a bit more grit too it.

Fab video as always 👍🏻👍🏻

[TC-lqdm]

The fiesta st had it exhaust valve closed, there was more sound to have. This was noticeable by the exhaust fumes only coming out the right pipe

[paularmitage]

My wife has a 2020 GTi plus, it's a brilliant allrounder, white with a black pack and Brescia wheels, it's a great looking car. We've had performance golfs and polos for 25 years and this generation Polo GTi is possibly the most rounded.

[brianwabai]

Love Mat with the consistency. Keep up the good work. Best at automotive journalism...👌

[snoopdagg]

subscribed since 100k, damn this channel earns more than the company itself

[brixchristensen]

The blip during upshift is a ALS(turbo Anti Lag System), so there is a meaning to it. As i know off it only does it in N mode.

[Joker-ywhl]

I'm usually a Fiesta fan (I've only ever owned 2 Fiestas before, an '04 Flame and a '17 Titanium) but that i20N has something special to it. 100% would be my choice for a track

[billweatherley]

As someone who has tried all three the Polo is in a different league. Small car that feels like a big car, for longer journeys fabulous. Quality build.

[swampdonkeyofdoom]

You never had the fiesta ST in sport mode for the sound test, this enables the pops and bangs! I noticed you done this in the drag video too…

[nathanb]

All three are great cars :D. We need a rematch when updated versions of the Polo GTI and Fiesta ST come out :)

[garethedwards]

It would be the Hyundai for me as it looks and sounds what a hot hatch should be like. The blip on the upshift is most probably to keep the turbo spooling avoiding lag.