Hyundai i20 Review

For some reason, when it comes to picking a supermini, it is easy to overlook Hyundai for the bigger names. But that should no longer be the case, because in recent years the company has been building a portfolio of well equipped, European styled, small cars with that won't break the bank.

It started with the Hyundai i30, which raised more than a few eyebrows, and followed on with the capable, Hyundai i10 city-car - a 'sell-out success' apparently. Now we have the Hyundai i20, a supermini that fancies itself against its rivals, including the Volkswagen Polo, Toyota Yaris and Vauxhall Corsa; and rightly so.

The Hyundai i20 replaces the Getz in the Hyundai line-up. It is longer, wider and sits lower than the outgoing model, which makes it look sleeker and less utilitarian. Hyundai has made the most of the longer wheelbase, both inside and out.

The front end bears all the hallmarks of the new family looks with a neat upper front grille, topped with chrome trim and a large logo. Below this is a deep trapezoidal grille that forms a background for the number plate. Either side, the fog-lamp inserts move towards echoing the teardrop headlights, above. Slim wheelarches serve to emphasise the strong line that runs from front to back, curving downwards towards the rear before merging into the chunky rear bumper.

The base of the wraparound rear light clusters, marks a change in plane on the rear hatch, as it cuts into the bumper, while the rake of the rear end adds to the modern look and makes the car appear wider and more substantial than the Hyundai Getz.

There are six exterior colours from which to choose, but only the Electric Red body colour is solid, the rest have metallic or mica finishes, which add £355 to the bill. Prices start at £8,645 (OTR) for the 1.2 Classic and rise to £11,845 for the 1.4 CRD in Style trim. These are 5-door prices and those for the 3-door version, when it arrives in April 2009, will be around £450 cheaper.