Hyundai i20

Our verdict

Good value supermini with a great warranty. Not a car to lust for, but try one if you need decent, cheap transport

Comfort

The ride is really way too firm for European tastes, so this isn't a car for committed cruisers - but its good enough and Hyundai will no doubt do some tweakery as the car hits these shores with a vengeance.

Performance

There's a range-topping 1.4-litre diesel with 89bhp and 162lb ft that hits 107mph and 0-62mph in an age; 13.6 seconds - which means you'll grow grey hairs waiting for the national speed limit. There will also be a 77bhp 1.2-litre petrol - and that'll be both cheaper and a little fizzier than the diesel.

Cool

If you're into inverse snobbery then the i20 hits the spot. But then again, you could just make everything less complicated and be pleased that you've got a decent little car. 

Quality

Some of the switchgear in the early cars feels a wee it fragile, but overall it's not so bad. Hyundai has definitely raised its game in the past few years. 

Handling

The i20 is a little hard, but that helps when you want to chuck it about. It won't scare a hot hatch, but there's a dollop of German feel in the way it goes about things. Does big bumps well, smaller stuff seems to annoy the dampers into having small fits. An average performance.

Practicality

The boot is 295-litres, space is good enough for the class thanks to the relatively boxy shape. Revolution? No. 

Running costs

At around £12k the i20 is cheap spec for spec. Insurance will be cheap, and that warranty will keep your wallet in your pocket. Hyundai scores hard in the value-for-money stakes.