Hyundai i20 is a sensible choice for the price

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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 B-segment offering.

Replacing the Getz, the Korean carmaker 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, electric front windows and an aux-in socket.

Costing a grand 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 most popular – it is expected to take 60% of sales. It adds 15-inch alloy wheels, body colour 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, with three-door i20s arriving in April.

Target buyers are aspirational couples and families aged 30-45 with young children, single females aged 25-35 and affluent over-50s.

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 is 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. 

It’s still not the best-looking car in its segment, but for the price, it’s a sensible choice. Hyundai’s five-year unlimited mileage warranty will add another incentive for buyers.Rachel Burgess