Review of the new Hyundai i20 Range

Economical, roomy, well-equipped, tightly priced and covered by an excellent warranty, there's nothing ambiguous about the Hyundai i20's appeal. The question is whether enough buyers will choose the car over less tightly priced rival supermini products that do most or all of this with a little more style.

Small cars are the future, or so we're reliably informed by virtually every automotive industry expert with their faculties intact. Small cars are lighter, so they can make use of more compact, fuel efficient engines and their diminutive size means that they take up less of our traffic-plagued road network. They're also cheaper to buy, tax, insure and run, which these days should interest anyone without a winning lottery ticket, an oil well in their back garden or plans to seduce a Premiership footballer. Yes, if the indications are correct, we'll all be buying more small cars in the future and Hyundai hopes that a good proportion of us will choose its i20 supermini.

Superminis were already the most popular category of car with UK buyers well before growing running costs and environmental concerns tipped us into this cycle of downsizing. Cars like the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa and Renault Clio have proved immensely popular thanks to their blend of ability and affordability. Hyundai's effort at cashing in on the supermini's success was called the Getz but it never really managed to claw its way out of the bargain basement. The Getz was conceived before Hyundai began the wholesale rejuvenation of its model range that started with the i30 family hatchback and was followed up by the i10 citycar. These were cars designed and conceived in Europe around European tastes and it was never going to be too long before a supermini was slotted into the range between them. The i20 is that supermini.

The i20 is available with 1.2-litre or 1.4-litre petrol engines or a 1.4-litre diesel one that's available with a power output of either 74 or 88bhp. The 1.2-litre petrol unit offers 76bhp and the ability to launch the car to 60mph in 12.9s before proceeding to a 106mph top speed. The range-topping diesel is a little slower despite its 88bhp and can achieve a 13.6s 0-60mph time with a 107mph top speed. The 1.4-litre petrol option is available with a 4-speed automatic gearbox.

"Despite its move upmarket, Hyundai can still play the value for money card."

With a height-adjustable driver's seat and a steering column that adjusts for both rake and reach, the i20 should prove accommodating for drivers of most shapes and sizes. The wheel itself is highly reminiscent of a Honda item, even down to the big 'H' at its centre, and is as comfortable a thing to grasp as it is attractive on the eye.

Attractive isn't a word you're likely to see trotted out to describe the i20 exterior but neither is appalling. Hyundai has played it quite safe with the looks of the i20 and this may be an astute move as buyers get used to the idea of a Hyundai that can stand toe to toe with the top supermini products with regards interior quality as this one can. The thick swage line that runs down the sides of the car just above the door handles does provide some interest but the general effect is of an identikit supermini that lacks the personality of the leading lights. The interior however, will cause many to revaluate Hyundai because the materials and build are far superior to those of the old Getz. Again, the design flair that rivals have worked so hard to instil is absent but the layout is neat and the controls couldn't really be any easier to operate.

The i20 might have arrived at an opportune moment when the minds of car buyers were starting to turn towards smaller cars but it isn't actually all that small compared to its supermini contemporaries. A kerb weight of 1,222kg means it's no featherweight but it makes good use of its bulk by delivering a respectably spacious cabin. Space in the back will be generous enough for adults to undertake short journeys and fine for kids, while the boot is impressively proportioned. Fold down the 60:40 split rear seats and a flat load floor is created with room for some seriously big cargos. There's also a massive glovebox and a number of other useful receptacles dotted around the interior.

Hyundai is offering the i20 with three trim levels, Classic, Comfort and Style. Even the entry level Classic model comes with air-conditioning, an iPod connector for the stereo, electric front windows, electric door mirrors and a trip computer. Matched to the i20's attractive pricing, the generous equipment levels show that despite its move upmarket, Hyundai can still play the value for money card that has served it so well in the past.

Safety equipment is similarly abundant on the i20 with every model getting six airbags and active head restraints. These helped the car achieve a commendable five-star rating for occupant protection in the Euro NCAP crash tests. ESP stability control doesn't make the standard specification but is a £250 option that many buyers will want to take Hyundai up on.

Hyundai's exemplary warranty package will be a major draw for buyers with their eyes on the bottom line and the engines don't let the side down when it comes to economy and emissions. The 1.2-litre petrol engine can average over 54mpg on the combined cycle with CO2 emissions of 124g/km. Higher mileage drivers will find the premium needed to get a diesel engine worthwhile thanks to the remarkable 64mpg and 116g/km CO2 output achieved in both power versions.

Hyundai is a manufacturer on the rise. It's demonstrated what it can do with the i30 and i10: now all it needs to cement its status as an equal to the established players in the market's mainstream is that extra element of style and desirability. The i20 supermini will be a hugely important car for the marque and so it's slightly disappointing that its designers didn't push the boat out a little more vigorously.

Still, the i20 is well worthy of consideration by supermini buyers. It has the basics nailed down and as a small car with low running costs, it's bang on the buying priorities that are only going to become more prevalent in the marketplace. All it fails to do is excite in any meaningful way so Hyundai will continue to rely on the old stalwarts of attractive pricing, lots of equipment and a cast iron warranty to achieve sales. The way things are at present, that might just be enough..

TOP 5 I20 DEALS

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Hyundai I20 1.2 Classic 5dr Hatchback
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