Eco-Car: Hyundai i20

As soon as Alistair Darling announced he would be introducing a scrappage scheme the activity in UK car showrooms became frenetic.

Hyundai, for instance, reported 400 per cent more interest in its cars than before. Sceptics like me pointed out that people driving 10 year old cars largely did so either because they wanted to or because they couldn’t afford a new one. It times of rising unemployment and hard to find credit, where were they to get the cash?

Spectacular deals were already on the table – I know as I bought a new car at a 41 per cent discount in March. It was cheaper than a two year old used example of the same model. Even with scrappage allowances, I doubt that deal is to be found anywhere today.

But the trick worked. Everyone woke up to the fact that they might be able to afford a new car, although with some of the cars on offer through the bottom end of the scheme they might get more enjoyment out of keeping their 10 year old chariot. It’s said that 25 per cent of the value of all new cars in Britain is in the showroom but after all the scrappage discounts there will be precious little left.

The other snag is that most small cars, the ones people will be able to afford, are made outside the UK. So we are forking out to save foreign jobs. I’m not being protectionist here, but in Germany a great many of the new cars sold under their much lauded scrappage scheme came from France, Italy, and Spain. The big difference for dealers was that it also included late plate used cars and if that had applied in the UK then dealers really would have benefitted. At present, at best all we have is a financial sticking plaster and at worst a money export scheme.

One of the cars that might be a winner in all this is the Hyundai i20, the Korean maker’s answer to the rash of modern European superminis. The reason it will do well is not just tied up with money, though. It’s also because it happens to be very good. What will eventually restrict it is whether or not enough can be brought here to satisfy demand.

To properly assess a car like this, you need to drive the poverty model, in this case the 1.2 Style. The only concession I made was having a five door, which costs £8,645 so is £450 more than the three door. It’s worth it for the convenience alone.

Like the Morris Minor 1000, which became in reality an 1100, the Hyundai undersells itself. The all-new 1.2 is actually a 1.25 unit producing 77 bhp. It’s more than man enough for the task in hand, and that’s all you ask. It’s also cheap to run and manages in excess of 45 mpg with no effort at all.

To get a diesel five door i20 you need to spend another £1,800 and unless you have some other worldly commute every day it’s never going to be worth the difference. Part of the huge hike comes through the necessity to have the higher grade Comfort trim, which accounts for £800.

Do you need the posher model? Not really. Spend half a day with the Classic and you’ll realise it’s very liveable and likeable. After a week you know you really don’t need much more if all you want is a supermini.

One of the disadvantages of the i20 is that it’s not as striking to look at as the new Ford Fiesta or even the Vauxhall Corsa. But, like the Ford, it holds its value better as a three year old than the Corsa will, partly because Hyundai has that huge five year unlimited mileage warranty that can be transferred to subsequent owners. This means you can sell it yourself at three years old instead of trading it in, which again lets you keep more money.

However, Hyundai has done enough to make the i20 at least look interesting, and this could be just enough to sway you towards buying it. There are some attractive curves and sweeps along the body sides. Inside, it’s packed with stuff you would normally expect to find on more expensive cars. Hyundai predicts the mid-range Comfort models will sell best but I’m not so sure. I reckon the starter model is classic good value.

Maurice Hardy

When you take the decision to replace the best-selling model in your range you have to be pretty certain that the new car is capable of delivering the goods. So Hyundai set its European designers and engineers to work and has, in the i20, brought us an ideal replacement for the Getz.

The car creates an all-round good impression and the European influence is obvious when you see the huge grille stuck on the front. I think these grilles look out of place on virtually all the cars that wear them.

It’s not too much of a worry, though, as most of the time you are with your i20 you will be inside, where the design and layout are both effective and pleasing on the eye. There’s a large silver insert in the three spoke steering wheel that makes it look single spoke in a striking, Citroen DS, sort of way, and high level housing for the sound and heating systems. All their controls are therefore visible and easy to reach.

There’s air con on even the cheapest models, along with electric windows and a full complement of airbags, including a switchable one at the front that most makers want another £25 for at least. Even the driver’s seat is height adjustable so this car is perfectly comfortable for most people – but especially their wallets.

Annette Hardy

Car: Hyundai i20 1.2 Classic five door

Does it fit your ego?…
0-62 mph: 12.9 secs
Top speed: 103 mph
Bhp: 76 @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 87.5 lb ft @ 4000 rpm

…and your wallet?…
Price: £8,645
Urban: 44.1 mpg

Extra urban: 62.8 mpg
Combined: 54.3 mpg
CO2 emissions: 124 g/km
Insurance Group: 3

Best bits: good; economical; great value.