Hyundai expects the new i20 to account for almost a third of its total UK sales, meaning there’s an awful lot relying on the success of its latest supermini offering.

Replacing the Getz, the South Korean car maker hopes it will sell 12,000 units in its first full year. 

The car does have a lot to offer for its price. Starting at £8,195 for the three-door Classic, standard spec includes air-conditioning, six airbags, remote locking and electric front windows.

Costing around £1,000 less than some of its key rivals, customers are likely to be pulled in by pricing alone.

The Comfort, costing between £8,995 and £10,445, will be the most popular – it is expected to take 60% of sales.

It adds 15-inch alloy wheels, body-coloured door mirrors and handles, electric rear windows, full iPod integration, steering wheel-mounted audio controls and a trip computer.

Style, i20’s range-topper, costs £10,845 (£11,845 for diesel). It has 16-inch alloys, climate control, part-leather upholstery and front fog lights.

Five-door models are on sale now, with three-door versions due in April.

“The i20’s standard spec combines all of the equipment that buyers want, but none of the things they don’t,” said Hyundai UK’s marketing director Andrew Cullis. 

“Throw in fantastic looks, great quality and the five-year warranty that’s standard on all Hyundai models and you have the recipe for excellent residual values.”

Behind the wheel

Driving the 1.2-litre Classic is comfortable and easy. For the price, it really is better quality than you’d expect. The 1.4-litre Comfort didn’t seem that much more comfortable.

On the road, it has a harder ride, and while obviously more powerful, there’s little in it.

The interior is snazzier, with black and red seat covers but, bizarrely, the seats seemed less comfortable. Extras like the iPod socket are a nice touch, and this also shows what’s playing on the car’s display.

Five people would comfortably fit in this car, yet boot size hasn’t been compromised in the process.

Petrol versions fall just above the £35 tax bracket, but diesel engines manage it, emitting 116g/km and 118/g/km of CO2 for its 74bhp and 89bhp models.

Verdict

It’s still not the best-looking car in its segment, but for the price the i20 is a sensible choice.

Hyundai’s five-year unlimited mileage warranty will add another incentive for buyers, especially those looking to make a long-term investment in a pool car.