Kia Niro HEV FWD vs Hyundai i20 1.0 T-GDi 120 PS 48V : which one is faster?
0-100 km/h, 400 m, 1000 m, top speed — physics simulation calibrated on 7 measures.
Simulation de performance
Race simulation at real speed
CONFIDENCE 93%Calibrated physics simulation: SCx via VMax, power curves, Crr via WLTP, drivetrain losses. Manufacturer 0-100 is the calibration target. Confidence 93 %.
Niro HEV FWD vs i20 1.0 T-GDi 120 PS 48V: chronicle of a drag race at 195 km/h
The launch: 0 to 100 km/h
Off the line, the i20 1.0 T-GDi 120 PS 48V hits 100 km/h in 10.02 s versus 11.15 s for the Niro HEV FWD. At this point, the i20 1.0 T-GDi 120 PS 48V leads by 1.13 s and sits roughly 17 m ahead.
From 100 km/h to 400 metres
At 200 metres, the i20 1.0 T-GDi 120 PS 48V is doing 110 km/h against 107 km/h for the Niro HEV FWD. The gap is 0.70 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the i20 1.0 T-GDi 120 PS 48V crosses the line in 17.42 s versus 18.24 s. The 0.83 s gap represents roughly 31 m of track — a gap visible to the naked eye.
Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play
Past 400 metres, the i20 1.0 T-GDi 120 PS 48V continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 153 km/h versus 151 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the i20 1.0 T-GDi 120 PS 48V finishes in 31.18 s versus 32.23 s, with a 1.05 s lead.
What the numbers don’t tell you
Electronically capped at 165 km/h, the Niro HEV FWD never reaches its natural aerodynamic ceiling in this duel. That’s not a physical limit of the motor — it’s a deliberate manufacturer decision, typically tied to standard-fit tyre ratings or model-range positioning.
With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (10.50 kg/hp vs 9.29 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Unknown).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 17.03 seconds. The 1.13 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Hyundai i20 1.0 T-GDi 120 PS 48V has a clear edge over the Kia Niro HEV FWD to 100 km/h. This difference is clearly noticeable in spirited driving and widens on standing starts.