Hyundai i20 a lot of car for not much money

Road Test

byMarkSlack

WITH the imminent demise of Ford’s Fiesta, the choice of small hatchbacks continues to diminish in favour of an SUV style. Thankfully there are still manufacturers with tempting offers in the sector and Hyundai is one of them. The diminutive i10 might conceivably be a little small for some, but the larger i20 slots in nicely size‐wise for those wanting maximum space in compact form.

A smart looking car, if com‐ments on my test model are anything to judge, the i20 range starts at €22,270/ £19,725 and encompasses the entry level through to the luxury and sporty and finally the very sporting i20N.

My Ultimate model sits at the top of the normal tree with a €27,633/£24,475 price tag and seven‐speed auto‐matic transmission.

Standard fare across the line‐up is very good with alloy wheels, air conditioning, high beam assist, powered and heated door mirrors, cruise control, rear parking sensors and camera, Apple Car Play and Android Auto.

My Ultimate added climate control, heated seats, privacy glass, rain sensing wipers, wireless charging, navigation, keyless entry and start, pow‐er fold door mirrors and a

Facts at a Glance

• Model: Hyundai i20 Ultimate

Bose sound system.

The range uses a three ‐cylinder, 1.0 ‐ litre tur ‐bocharged petrol developing speeds and automatics a sev‐en‐speed double clutch type of automatic. It’s a very effec‐tive power delivery ing a 60/40 split folding rear seat and good rear legroom when the rear seats are in po‐sition. Cer‐ being a second quicker to that benchmark speed and arguably allows you a bit more control. That said the automatic isn’t bad and provides a more re ‐fined change than many pseudo au‐tomatics.

• Engine: 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder, turbocharged petrol electric 48V mild hybrid

• Gears: 7-Speed DCT automatic

• Price: €27,633/£24,475

• Performance: 0-100 kph (62 mph) 11.4 seconds/Maximum Speed 185 kph (115 mph).

• Economy: 5.3l/100km (53.3 mpg) Combined driving.

• Emissions: 122 g/km

Model tested was UK-specification and equipment levels and prices may vary in other markets