i20's smaller sibling, the i10, is the current APMP (Association of Professional Motoring Press) City Car of the Year - no pressure on the new five-seat hatchback, then!
Sitting in the small car category, the five-door supermini is now even bigger on space and practicality.
The second-generation i20's exterior is stylish, and not just by Korean standards. The influence of the Hyundai motor group's Bavarian head of design, Peter Schreyer, is evident; in fact, i20 was styled in Hyundai's European design HQ in Germany.
The body is more sculpted than the bland 2008 original. i20 features a more identifiable and aggressive front end, thanks in the main to sharp looking headlights and grille. The flanks feature a strong shoulder line and the blackened 'C' pillar adds a certain sleekness to the rear end. Nice taillights complete a very pleasant design.
Inside, the cabin is vast and legroom excellent, thanks to the lengthened wheelbase. i20 is a prime example of cars growing almost out of their class. The inside feels as spacious as some cars in the Golf/Focus class - it could even rival Hyundai's own i30!
The boot is virtually as big as the latest Skoda Fabia's - and bigger than quite a few cars in the next category up! i20 is, simply, very practical. Our top-spec test car featured a split floor and while there is space for a spare wheel, it came with an inflation kit - something motorists in Ireland are not too fond of. Standard on the new car is a dash-mounted smartphone dock, so connectivity has also improved.
So far, so good. But sadly, unlike key rivals, i20 - for now - does not feature particularly new or clever engines, so there is no stop/start technology, although a three-cylinder turbo petrol engine is on the cards.
Hyundai is happy to rely on reworked units, like the 1.25-litre in our test car that is tried and tested. Compared to the similarly priced Mazda2, our test car's engine failed to inspire but was perfectly adequate for the job. That said, on the move you'd be hard pressed to know the petrol engine was running - the passenger compartment is that well-insulated.
The original i20 was never a big seller compared to the class favourites like Ford Fiesta, Toyota Yaris, VW Polo, Renault Clio, Opel Corsa and Nissan Micra, but the new i20 deserves to challenge the best of them - it is that good!
Hyundai Ireland has ordered 1,250 cars this year but says it could sell more if it could get them. A five-star EuroNCAP score is expected, and it is also worth noting that none of the big-selling rivals can match Hyundai's five-year warranty.
Hyundai i20 starts at €15,995 for the 'Classic' 1.2 entry-level. 'Deluxe' is the mid-level model for €17,495 and it comes with a good amount of kit. Top specification 'Premium' takes the car up to almost €19,495. A 'Deluxe', 1.4-litre petrol automatic at €20,495 (tax band 'C') is available to order, as is a 1.1-litre diesel (from €17,495).
Hyundai i20 - a small price for a big car.
Michael Sheridan
