Hyundai i20 Video Review

By Craig McAlpine

imotormag

The i20 is the new supermini that has been designed to take on the likes of the Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa and actually it sort of looks like a mash up between the two. The i20 I drove even came in a ‘lively’ green colour similar to that offered on the Ford Fiesta and Mazda 2.

The top spec Style version has alloys and optional half leather on the comfortable seats. The dash is well laid out and has a solid feel, apart from the bit you can plug your USB or iPOD into. It wobbles about like it’s not actually attached and as if it was added as an afterthought.

The 1.4-litre petrol is the most powerful version you can get, with 100hp, but it certainly isn’t fast. Hyundai, like most manufacturers at the moment is fighting to get higher mpg figures and this means the gearing is longer and you really have to drop through the gears to get any decent acceleration.

The steering gives you good feedback from the road, but feels artificially heavy at speed. If you try to thrash the i20 it really doesn’t like it – drive it hard and as you bang it into 2nd the steeringwheel wriggles with torque steer.

The i20 range starts at £8,645 and of course you get Hyundai’s five-year warranty. It’s not quite as fun to drive as the market leaders but many supermini drivers won’t really care or notice. With that warranty and reasonable price the i20 should do well for Hyundai.