Details of Cars

Hyundai ix20: the mini MPV that replaced the Matrix

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2014 Hyundai ix20 Active
A 2014 Hyundai ix20 Active with the 1.4-litre petrol engine. Photo by Harvey Bold, CC0 via Wikimedia Commons.

The Hyundai ix20 is a mini MPV that Hyundai showed at the 2010 Paris motor show. It was sold only in Europe, where it replaced the Lavita and Matrix. Underneath it is a rebadged Kia Venga that shares its platform with the Hyundai i20 and the Kia Soul, and its styling follows the “Fluidic Sculpture” language Hyundai was using at the time.

Hyundai ix20 at a glance

Hyundai ix20 key facts
Maker Hyundai Motor Company
Debut Paris motor show, 2010
Class mini MPV
Markets Europe only
Based on Kia Venga
Shared platform Hyundai i20, Kia Soul
Replaced Hyundai Lavita and Matrix
Design language Fluidic Sculpture
Petrol engines 1.4 (90 PS), 1.6 (125 PS)
Diesel engines 1.4 CRDi (90 PS), 1.6 CRDi (116 PS)

Based on one source, the short English Wikipedia article on the Hyundai ix20.

History of the Hyundai ix20

The ix20 was Hyundai’s answer to the small, tall people-carrier class that was popular in Europe around 2010. Instead of designing a new car from scratch, the company used the Kia Venga, a Kia model built on the same platform as the Hyundai i20 and the Kia Soul, and sold it with Hyundai styling and badges. The result was a compact five-seat MPV with the high roof and upright driving position that buyers in this class wanted.

Rear of a 2014 Hyundai ix20 Active
The rear of the same ix20 Active. Photo by Harvey Bold, CC0 via Wikimedia Commons.

Its position in the range was clear: it took over from the Lavita, known in Europe as the Matrix, which had been on sale since 2001 and had been through facelifts in 2005 and 2008. The ix20 was offered only in Europe, and it came with a choice of four engines: two petrol units of 1.4 and 1.6 litres with 90 and 125 PS, and two diesels of 1.4 and 1.6 litres with 90 and 116 PS. The 1.4 petrol and the 1.4 CRDi shared the same 90 PS output.

Design and features

  • Europe only: the ix20 was never offered outside the European market.
  • Kia underneath: a rebadged Kia Venga, itself related to the Hyundai i20.
  • Four engines: two petrol and two diesel units, from 90 to 125 PS.
  • Matrix successor: it took the place of the Lavita and Matrix mini MPVs.

Hyundai ix20 versions

  • ix20 1.4 petrol: 90 PS.
  • ix20 1.6 petrol: 125 PS.
  • ix20 1.4 CRDi: 90 PS diesel.
  • ix20 1.6 CRDi: 116 PS diesel.

The ix20 replaced the Lavita and Matrix and shared its platform with the i20. More Hyundai models are in the Hyundai collection.

Video: am start: Hyundai ix 20

Video by DW Deutsch on YouTube.

Sources

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