The supermini sector is ultra-competitive. Cars such as the VW Polo and Skoda Fabia have set the bar pretty high. So how does the Hyundai i20, released early this year, fare against its rivals?
This is the second-generation Hyundai i20, and it comes with highly competitive pricing and a five-year warranty. But is that enough?
To succeed in this sector, your supermini must be able to cope with the weekly supermarket load, have a solid functional interior and come with an engine that’s as happy cruising on the motorway as it is chugging along on the school run. It has to be robust to withstand toddler tantrums and most important it must be reliable – because running a family is stressful enough in itself.
The i20 has a quiet engine and a responsive throttle with a precise gearbox that you’ll enjoy using.
All the eight trim levels are fitted with electric windows, remote central locking, half a dozen airbags, trip computer, daytime running lights and USB connections. Opt for the mid-level SE trim and you’ll get 16-inch alloys, air-con, all-round electric windows, Bluetooth, cruise control and rear parking sensors.
As an option, you can invest in the Driver Assist Pack for £375. That gives you a place to dock your smartphone – always handy for charging and when you use it as a satnav – and halogen projector headlights. If you want to stand out from the crowd, £495 gets you a Mandarin Orange metallic finish.
On a practical note, boot space is a generous 326 litres and with the seats folded flat the resulting 1042 litres of space are probably enough to host the village dance. CO2 emissions are decent at 127g/km.
Choose a diesel engine for frugality – with the 74bhp 1.1-litre Blue Drive, you’ll enjoy around 88.3mpg and pay absolutely nothing in road tax. For a little more oomph, go for the 89bhp 1.4-litre CRDi, which is still economical but can also raise the hairs on your neck. The whole i20 range features light, responsive steering and impressive cornering.
You’ll love the stylish design on the exterior and the interior is just as sleek as its dearer VW and Skoda rivals, although only the top models come with a touchscreen system. It also has a more-spacious cabin than its competitors and the i20 leads its class for rear legroom. Chock-a-block with safety equipment, the i20 comes loaded with airbags, electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes.
The verdict? At a price that starts at £10,995, you can’t get better value in this sector!
Howards Group is the authorised Hyundai retailer in the south west of England. You can test drive the Hyundai i20 today at our Yeovil showroom.