Hyundai ix20 1.4 CRDi Style

THE LIBYAN CRISIS has pushed up the cost of a gallon of petrol in the UK to £6 for the first time. And the AA has warned that with unleaded now costing an average of 132.12p per litre and
diesel increasing to 137.92p, thousands of drivers could be forced to leave the car at home.

However, Hyundai is doing its bit to help ease the cost of everyday motoring by producing the thrifty new ix20. The latest model to join the South Korean company’s ‘i-range’ line-up of vehicles has the style of a supermini, the space of Doctor Who’s TARDIS and the economy of a city car. Every manual model features Intelligent Stop & Go technology, low rolling-resistance Continental tyres and an Alternator Management System (AMS), giving it the lowest emissions and fuel consumption in the class. In fact the ix20 is so fuel efficient it can actually better or match the figures for rivals’ city cars.

Made at Hyundai’s newest European plant in Nošovice, Czech Republic, the ix20 is essentially a compact MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle) with a healthy dose of fashion and functionality. It is not, in my opinion,
good-looking but it does have a chic sporty profile, which sets it apart from the boxy ‘minivan’ image typically associated with other MPVs. Inside, the ix20 is firmly screwed together and
matches the spirited design of the exterior. The well-appointed cabin features a height adjustable driver’s seat, air conditioning, six airbags, active head restraints, radio/CD audio system with six speakers, plus CD, MP3 and USB-/AUX-/iPOD-input capabilities.  More importantly, the car provides excellent legroom and headroom in the front and rear. It is also very easy to achieve a comfortable driving position.  And once on the move, the ix20 delivers an alert and supple ride, even over the most pothole ravaged roads. That is no surprise though because the car is the first in Hyundai’s history to be extensively tested on the worst of British roads.

But back to the fundamental running costs of the car; Hyundai has developed three exceptionally efficient engines which power the ix20: a 1.4-litre with 90PS in both petrol and diesel, and a125PS petrol mated to an automatic transmission. Hyundai expects its new ‘U2’ common-rail diesel engine to be the most popular choice among British buyers looking for exceptional economy.  The U2 engines use high-pressure common rail injection, electronically-controlled Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) and a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) to ensure they meet Euro V emissions regulations.

What’s more, fitted with Integrated Stop-Start technology and a six-speed manual gearbox, the 1.4 CRDi Style version of the ix20, on test here, records CO2 emissions of just 114g/km and returns an average fuel economy of 65.7mpg. These class-leading figures will bring reduced motoring costs through lower road fund licence costs as well as saving pounds at the pumps.

Ok, by their very nature, MPVs, large or small, are never exhilarating to drive, and the ix20 is no exception. But the car is impressive in so many other respects. It is roomy, tremendously economical, it has a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, it has 20,000-mile service intervals and comes with Hyundai’s five-year unlimited-mileage warranty, plus five years of roadside assistance and free vehicle health checks. Phew! By my reckoning all that makes the ix20 ideal for anyone looking for a cost-effective, practical, modern day motor.

PROS ‘N’ CONS

• Economical √
• Roomy √
• Comfortable √
• Debatable looks X
• Unexciting drive X

 FAST FACTS

•  Max speed: 104 mph
• 0-62 mph: 14.5 secs
• Combined mpg: 65.7
• Engine layout: 1396cc 16v, four-cylinder, turbocharged diesel
• Max. power (bhp): 89 at 4000 rpm
• Max. torque (lb.ft): 162 at 1750-2750  rpm
• CO2: 114 g/km          
• Price: £15,420 OTR