Hyundai i20

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

  Small but lively engines - such as the 77bhp 1.2-litre - are a little rough but more than adequate in terms of acceleration. The diesel option expands the repertoire a bit, but not by enough to be worth shelling out for.

  

• 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

  Prices start at just under £10k, and 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.