New HYUNDAI I20 review at a glance:
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Advantages: Undercuts a Ford Fiesta, lavished with plenty of kit, incredible economy, a vast improvement over the Getz, stylish, practical

Disadvantages: Labouring under starters orders, dire handling, oil-burners not as refined as chief rivals’ diesel offerings, uninspiring drive, residuals might become damaging in long-term

Summary: The Hyundai i20 Getz over it. What a great advertising strap-line that would make? And with more than an element of truth to the claim as well. Sadly times – and the supermini competition – have moved on very quickly while Hyundai has been reinventing the Getz’s wheels, so although a lot more car it’s only really relatively speaking. But no one can argue with its value for money appeal, both in the mark up price and the perceived – and negligible – running costs.



New HYUNDAI I20 Review:
If car makers want to make it big during these oppressive financial times, then they have to think small. Perverse as this may sound, attainable, economic, planet respecting, yet undeniably chic city cars are the way forward as new car buyers look to tighten their belts accordingly.

So the advent of another newcomer to the supermini fold continues this trend. Only the Hyundai i20 has been here before, being as it is a re-incarnation of the veritable – if not undistinguished - Hyundai Getz.

Question is, intent on taking its beef to the supermini roll call of honours - the Vauxhall Corsa, Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Polo, ect – has Hyundai bitten off more than it can chew? As it happens the i20 hasn’t gnawed away at the Getz, in fact the polar opposite. Having piled on a few pounds it’s both longer and wider than its predecessor, and squatter too.

Plus there’s a far more contemporary identity going on about the i20’s person to with tidy detailing running amok at the front and almost suave lines breaking up the doors. In fact there’s an air of Vauxhall Corsa and Mazda2 about the Hyundai i20, which is nothing if not a good starting point to proceedings.

Both three and five-doors appear in the range, with the emphasis – particularly inside – placed squarely on function rather than resorting to ‘easy come, easy go’ gimmicks to reel in fence-sitting buyers. That’s not to say style doesn’t get a look in, although being a Hyundai never to the point of outstaying its welcome.

In terms of occupant comfort, one gangly individual can be seated directly behind another gangly individual without any cross words. Although whilst head and foot space is very accommodating the same cant be said for legroom if you’re planning on a long haul. Still, there’s always the boot, which is more than ample for 295-litres of luggage/shopping bags/overnight kit, outperforming both the Corsa and Fiesta.

As is par for the course with Hyundai, what you get as part and parcel of the standard package is worth the entry fee alone. The i20 is no rule breaker, and therefore flaunts air-con, MP3-compatible CD player and electric windows in even the base Classic i20 interpretation. That’s alongside six airbags and active head restraints to counter potential whiplash injuries.

One of Hyundai’s many automotive plus points lie in the arena of its frugal, yet responsive engines. The i20 underlines that core strength by adopting the 1.2-litre petrol power plant used to great effect in its i10 sibling, as well as borrowing the four-cylinder 1.4-litre unit from the Hyundai i30 for good measure. But the sensible money will be wagered on the 1.4-litre diesel safe bets that come in both 75bhp and 90bhp guise and reportedly see out 64.2 miles to the gallon while adding a mere 116g/km of CO2 pollutant skywards. The i20 is front wheel-driven and houses a five-speed manual transmission.

Electric power steering ensures that the Hyundai i20 keeps focused on the job in hand and is sensitive to the touch without being overly fussy. Despite being composed and inoffensive at motorway speeds, the i20 needs its stumps well and truly stirring as you ambitiously attempt to lead from the front. With 62mph being observed in a slo-mo13.6 seconds and a top speed of 107mph not quite a quantum leap, it’s best to just sit back and go with the flow.

The chassis is resolute, yet as a result the ride is fairly uncompromising for those seeking comfort, with pot holes seeming to instantly morph into asteroid craters whence the car drops into them.