Hyundai i20 vs Skoda Scala
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.
Hyundai i20
From $32,490
Hatchback
Petrol
SmartStream G1.6 T-GDi
150kW
6.9 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
310L
Skoda Scala
From $30,900
Hatchback
Petrol
Petrol
85kW
5.4 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
467L
Hyundai i20: we're still completing kerb weight, seat count, 0-100km/h, warranty and braked towing.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
Track the Hyundai i20 & Skoda Scala
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
The Hyundai i20 starts from $32,490 before on-road costs, while the Skoda Scala opens at $30,900. That makes the Skoda Scala the more affordable entry point by $1,590.
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 $35,739 and $33,990 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Skoda Scala by roughly $2,140 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 Hyundai i20 features a 10.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Skoda Scala gets a 8.3-inch display and 8-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Hyundai i20 stands out with Apple CarPlay, wireless charging, Bose audio and ambient lighting that you will not find on the Skoda Scala. The Skoda Scala counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Hyundai i20 gets cloth sports seats with premium bolsters upholstery while the Skoda Scala offers cloth.
Drivetrain
The Hyundai i20 uses a SmartStream G1.6 T-GDi producing 150kW and 275Nm of torque, sent through a 6-speed manual to a FWD layout.
The Skoda Scala responds with a Petrol making 85kW and 200Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 10.1 seconds.
The Hyundai i20 has the clear power advantage at 150kW vs 85kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Hyundai i20 measures 4,075mm long on a 2,580mm wheelbase, 287mm shorter than the Skoda Scala at 4,362mm (2,649mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Skoda Scala generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 310L in the Hyundai i20 and 467L in the Skoda Scala, giving the Skoda Scala a 157L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.2m to 10.5m
Based on 10.5m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 10.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,967/year for the Hyundai i20 and $1,539/year for the Skoda Scala. That is a $428 annual difference in favour of the Skoda Scala.
Estimated annual total: $1,967 (Hyundai i20) vs $1,539 (Skoda Scala). The Skoda Scala saves you roughly $428 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Hyundai i20 if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Skoda Scala if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Skoda's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Skoda Scala takes 3 of 4 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Skoda Scala will save you roughly $428 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Skoda Scala 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, Hyundai i20 and Skoda Scala?
The Skoda Scala is the cheapest at $30,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Hyundai i20 by $1,590.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Skoda Scala uses the least fuel at 5.4L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Hyundai i20 and Skoda Scala carry a published ANCAP rating yet — check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The Skoda Scala has the largest boot at 467L.
Which can tow the most?
The Skoda Scala has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,200kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Hyundai i20 makes the most power at 150kW.
Track the cars you're comparing
Get price-drop and spec-change alerts on the models in this comparison, plus our weekly new-car rundown of launches, deals and reviews.
- Price-drop alerts on these models
- Spec-change alerts
- Weekly new-car rundown
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to receive marketing emails.
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
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
