For some reason, when it comes to picking a supermini, it is easy to overlook Hyundai for the bigger names. But that should no longer be the case, because the company is building a portfolio of well equipped, European styled, small cars with that won’t break the bank.

It started with the i30 for European buyers and followed on with the capable Hyundai i10 city-car. Now we have the Hyundai i20, a supermini that fancies itself against its rivals, including the Volkswagen Polo, Toyota Yaris and Opel Corsa; and rightly so.

The Hyundai i20 replaces the Getz in the Hyundai line-up. It is longer, wider and sits lower than the outgoing model, which makes it look sleeker and less utilitarian. Hyundai has made the most of the longer wheelbase, both inside and out.

The front end bears all the hallmarks of the new family looks with a neat upper front grille, topped with chrome trim and a large logo. Below this is a deep trapezoidal grille that forms a background for the number plate. Either side, the fog-lamp inserts move towards echoing the teardrop headlights, above. Slim wheelarches serve to emphasise the strong line that runs from front to back, curving downwards towards the rear before merging into the chunky rear bumper.

The base of the wraparound rear light clusters, marks a change in plane on the rear hatch, as it cuts into the bumper, while the rake of the rear end adds to the modern look and makes the car appear wider and more substantial than the Hyundai Getz.

South African buyers will be able to choose from 1,4 and 1,6-litre multivalve engines, producing 74 kW with 136 N.m of torque and 91 kW with 156 N.m of torque respectively. The 1,4-litre is capable of 180 km/h and will reach 100 km/h in 11.6 seconds while the 1,6-litre is good for 190 km/h and zero to 100 km/h sprint of 9.5 seconds. Hyundai say that overall fuel consumption on the combined cycle should be around 6l/100km for the 1,6-litre and 5.6l/100km for the 1,4-litre.

Contributing to the i20’s Five-Star Euro NCAP rating are disc brakes all-round, ABS, EBD, driver and passenger airbags as well as side impact protection beams and crumple zones.

Pricing is from R149 900 for the 1,4-litre model and R159 900 for the 1,6-litre, which includes Hyundai’s five-year /150 000 km warranty and a three-year/60 000 km service plan.

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