Delightful i20 wins a surprise Hy score

SMALL HATCH IS SPACIOUS, SENSUOUS AND LOTS OF FUN

- COLIN GOODWIN

THE FACTS

Hyundai i20 SE Connect five-door hatchback

Price: £18,595

Engine: 1.0-litre three-cylinder, 99bhp

0-62mph: 10.4sec

Fuel consumption 54.3mpg

Co2: 118g/km

This is one of the surprise cars of the year, a car that turned out to be far better than expected. Actually, I hadn’t really expected anything from the new Hyundai i20.

A small hatchback that’s a rival to the well-established VW Polo and Ford Fiesta.

Well equipped for the money but not exactly a machine to get the enthusiast’s heart racing.

First of all, if you’re familiar with the outgoing i20 you’ll notice the difference in styling. The new car is a mass of creases and sharp edges that are all part of Hyundai’s bold new Sensuous Sportiness design language. Yes, car firms really do come up with vacuous statements like that.

But to be fair, the new i20 does look neat and sporty. The higher trim levels have the option of a two-tone roof but all versions get LED daytime running lights and LED tail lamps.