Sector: Supermini Price: £10,695–£16,725 Fuel: 42.2–88.3mpg CO2: 84–155g/km

Roll back the clock just a few short years, and it would be hard to imagine Hyundai challenging the stalwarts of the highly competitive supermini sector. Yet this all new i20 is likely to cause more than a few upsets in the Ford, Vauxhall and Volkswagen camps when it goes on sale in the early part of 2015.

Of course Hyundai is no stranger to B-segment arena. The outgoing i20 racked-up some pretty impressive sales figures – 150,000 units sold in the UK since 2002, making it one of its best-selling models of all time. It could be debated that many of those sales were converted by the allure of a keenly priced car, however, with a starting price of £10,695 this generation of i20 is hardly going to distance those whose deciding factor remains budget driven, first and foremost.

Despite the i20’s relatively low entry-point, it doesn’t feel like a cheap car. The Koreans have really upped their game when it comes to fit and finish, and the cabin  materials are equal to anything found in its German rivals.

And then there’s the styling, inside and out. To call it a “game changer” would make it sound very radical, which it isn’t, but for Hyundai it is. Gone are the mediocre and safe designs of old, replaced instead with a car which makes a bold statement. The rear C-pillars have been blacked-out, so the roof appears to float over its neatly tapered shoulder lines. The LED daytime running lights follow the horizontal curves of the bonnet, while a wide gaping grille gives the i20 a sense of its own individualism, allowing it to stand out in an overcrowded marketplace. 

Now sitting on a new platform, which has been specifically developed for this car and for European roads, it’s 45mm longer than before, and 24mm wider, too. So there’s now enough room for three adults to sit comfortably on the back seats – while boot space, at 326 litres, expandable to 1,042 litres with the 60:40 rear bench folded flat, is class-leading. 

The five launch engines are carried forward from the old car, but upgraded to meet Euro 6 emission standards. These include 74bhp and 84bhp 1.2-litre and 99bhp 1.4-litre petrols, plus  74bhp 1.1-litre and 89bhp 1.4-litre diesels, the latter offering range-lowest CO2 emissions in S Blue spec.

None of the above are particuarly quick, but all are refined. However, this isn't really engineered to be anything more than a car for an urban environment, which is the same story for the suspension. It’s more than adequate when fully laden, but it just, ever so slightly, falls short of being truly comparable to the main competition. 

Five trim levels – S, S Blue, SE, Premium and Premium SE – are available, and standard kit across the range includes front-electric windows, privacy glass, USB connectivity, ABS and front and side air bags. SE models are expected to make up the bulk of orders and add 16-inch alloys, Bluetooth, cruise control, reversing sensors and front fog lights.

Verdict:

Hyundai has made the i20 into a very compelling supermini, leaving little reason why it shouldn’t be considered when choosing a B-segment car.