Hyundai took many people by surprise with the all-round competence of its i10 baby hatch, and now the Koreans are looking for more success with their slightly larger i20 supermini, writes motoring editor Peter Carroll.

The public soon caught on to the fact that it was a great entry-level car, however, and at one point demand was so high in the UK that examples were changing hands for above its then list price of £6,495.

Now the Koreans are looking for more success with their slightly larger i20 supermini. This car, however, faces a more difficult job because competition in this sector is fierce and the market has taken a downturn since the introduction of the i10.

The i20 will eventually replace the ageing Getz, though both will be sold in tandem to start with.

Capable 

The new car looks good value, particularly lower down the range, and turns out to be every bit as capable as its smaller sibling.

The i20 was developed in Europe but is built at Chennai (formerly Madras) which has developed such a thriving automotive sector that it is has earned the nickname of ‘the Detroit of India’.

The car’s design is smart rather than funky, both inside and out. Build quality looks reasonable – certainly better than the Getz. It’s not at the high level of the new Fiesta, but then nor does it cost as much.

There’s plenty of head room and leg room should be reasonable so long as the front seat occupants are not second row rugby forwards.

Choice

At launch, the i20 comes with a choice of three trim levels – Classic, Comfort and Style. Petrol power plants include an excellent new 1.2 litre and a 1.4, and there are also two versions of the firms’ 1.4 diesel.

Prices start from £8,195 for a three door Classic 1.2, which looks good value, especially as standard equipment includes air conditioning, six airbags, active head restraints, remote locking, electric front windows and a socket for your MP3 player.

You also get the benefit of Hyundai’s reknowned five-year unlimited mileage (and transferable) warranty.

I drove petrols only, as the diesels had not arrived in Britain at the time of the launch. In any case, the new 1.2 petrol is likely to be the star of the range and the biggest seller.

It matches the power of many 1.4s and possesses a nice eager character, reinforced by the car’s low gearing.

The 1.2 has low CO2 emissions of 124g/km for a petrol and should return ‘real world fuel’ consumption in the mid 40s.

The 1.4 litre petrol is around a second and a half quicker to 60mph – but does not feel it because it is not so eager to rev.

Although I did not drive diesels the 75PS 1.4 looks sluggish on paper, while the 100PS appears capable – but costs a lot more more money.

It’s worth noting that Hyundai can also call upon an excellent 1.6 litre diesel unit from the i30 range which would have the potential to turn the i20 into a fairly hot hatch should the demand be there.

The car drives neatly, with few vices other than the ride which can be crashy on poor surfaces.

There’s not much else wrong with it, however. The i20 does not have the boutique style offered by rivals like the Fiat 500 or the new Fiesta.

But it’s a solid, good value hatch that ticks all the boxes – apart from the one marked ‘cute’.

FACT FILE:

Model: i20 Classic five door

Price: £8,695 on the road

Engine: 1,248cc, four cylinder, petrol

Power: 78PS

Transmission: Five-speed manual, front wheel drive

Performance: 0-62mph in 12.9 seconds

Top speed: 103mph

Economy: 54.3mpg on combined cycle

CO2 emissions: 124g/km

Length: 3,940mm

Kerb weight: 1,085kg

Insurance group: 3

Servicing: 12,500 miles

Warranty: Five years / unlimited miles