Honda Civic vs Hyundai i20
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Hatchbacks compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
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Price Breakdown
The Honda Civic starts from $43,250 before on-road costs, while the Hyundai i20 opens at $38,500. That makes the Hyundai i20 the more affordable entry point by $4,750.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $47,575 and $42,350 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Honda Civic by roughly $3,850 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The Honda Civic features a 9-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.2-inch digital dash, while the Hyundai i20 gets a 10.3-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Honda Civic stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and Bose audio that you will not find on the Hyundai i20. The Hyundai i20 counters with Apple CarPlay. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Honda Civic gets leather upholstery while the Hyundai i20 offers cloth. Climate control is 2-zone in the Honda Civic and 1-zone in the Hyundai i20.
Drivetrain
The Honda Civic uses a Hybrid producing 135kW and 315Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.1 seconds.
The Hyundai i20 responds with a Petrol making 150kW and 275Nm, paired to a manual driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.7 seconds.
The Hyundai i20 has the clear power advantage at 150kW vs 135kW. In the real-world sprint, the Hyundai i20 is 1.4s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Honda Civic measures 4,560mm long on a 2,733mm wheelbase, 485mm longer than the Hyundai i20 at 4,075mm (2,580mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Honda Civic generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 449L in the Honda Civic and 310L in the Hyundai i20, giving the Honda Civic a 139L advantage. Fold the rears and you get 1187L vs 1123L.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.5m to 11.4m
Based on 11.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 10.5m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,197/year for the Honda Civic and $1,967/year for the Hyundai i20. That is a $770 annual difference in favour of the Honda Civic.
Estimated annual total: $1,197 (Honda Civic) vs $1,967 (Hyundai i20). The Honda Civic saves you roughly $770 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Honda Civic) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Hyundai i20). Both match on warranty length. Capped-price servicing: 5yr (Honda Civic)—.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Honda Civic if: You need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Honda's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Hyundai i20 if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Hyundai i20 takes 3 of 5 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Honda Civic will save you roughly $770 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Honda Civic has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Honda Civic and Hyundai i20?
The Hyundai i20 is the cheapest at $38,500 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Honda Civic by $4,750.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Honda Civic uses the least fuel at 4.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Honda Civic all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Honda Civic has the largest boot at 449L.
Which is the most powerful?
The Hyundai i20 makes the most power at 150kW. The Hyundai i20 is quickest to 100km/h in 6.7s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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