Search: more on the Hyundai i20
Car makers on the cusp of introducing anything new in 2009 must feel like they're about to climb out of the trenches and go over the top. With three-year-old models averaging £1,750 less this time last year than now and the new retail market down 21%, according to the latest monthly figures, it's a war zone out there.Think small
So your offering better be tooled for tough combat. As we all know, the best advice for punters when buying new is to think small, because it's in that part of the forecourt that the margin for profit is at it's narrowest, hence you drive off with the most for your money. In such circumstances, it seems likely that this fairly unremarkable new Hyundai i20 is going to emerge as one of the surprise hits of 2009.
Up to European tastes?
If follows a fairly easy act. The Hyundai Getz was a compact hatch that raised broader interest in the Korean brand, but fell down on finer details of build quality and, style-wise, was not quite to European tastes. This time round, the i20 is designed in Germany and, reflecting Hyundai's massive investment in manufacturing infrastructure back at home, primed far more sensitively to be a direct hit on our tastes.
Will the subtle looks appeal to more buyers?
Looks-wise, there's certainly nothing to shock, with strong similarities to Vauxhall's Corsa, Renault's Clio and Mazda's 2. It's not going to spoil the fabulous new Fiesta's coming out party, but you're misunderstanding the strategy here by making such comparisons head on - the Hyundai's mission is to look good enough, to blend acceptably into a European supermarket car park. And that it does with ease. Indeed, choose the right colour, like the jaunty green that¢s available and not the dull-me-down silver, and you drive away with a subtle looker.
The value story
The real issue, of course, is value - and that's where Ford dealers are going to be bracing themselves. To lure you into an Eastern deal, Hyundai's new supermini kicks off at £8,195 for the Classic, for which you get a 1.2-litre petrol with six airbags, air con, electric front windows, remote central locking, radio CD with aux in socket, height and reach adjustable steering, driver's seat height adjustment, glove box cooling and active head restraints. Add to that a thumping five-year unlimited mileage warranty and it seems anyone on a supermini shopping project will be rash to rule the Hyundai out.
Five-doors makes most sense
The only extra I'd recommend on the entry-level Classic is the addition of two doors - for £495, the five-door model makes much better use of the very well designed rear area, where you'll find good space for two lanky adults and sufficient accommodation for three over shorter distances.
