FEW car makers do budget motoring more effectively than Hyundai.
The Korean manufacturer has already scored big time thanks to its city car the i10 and family sized i30 model.
But the greatest challenge is facing the car that slips between the other two - in the supermini arena dominated by the likes of the Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa.
The i20 is the model that has replaced the Getz, itself Hyundai's top seller in Britain, and comes with an armoury of assets that could lure cash conscious buyers away from the more popular, and expensive, models.
There are three engines - 1.2 and 1.4 petrol plus a 1.4 diesel - three and five door body styles, five speed manual or four speed automatic transmissions, three trim grades and prices - from £8,195 - that are appreciably cheaper than the principal competition.
And for good measure the most basic package boasts air-conditioning, central locking, CD player with i-pod adaptor and a glovebox cooler as standard.
It makes you suspect there's a snag, and to be truthful there is. The design boys may talk about dynamic new looks and higher levels of luxury, but the i20 is not exactly a head turner - and there's no shortage of cheap black plastic to adorn the fascia.
That apart, the little Hyundai is an absolutely belting car and one that is deceptively spacious inside.
For instance I got the call to collect a son from university in Newcastle because he had too much clobber to bring home on the train.
What he didn't mention was the 1970s racing bike, affectionately known as the greyhound due to its lightweight design and blistering speed.
I didn't for a second think that, even with the front wheel removed, there was the remotest chance of fitting it in the i20. Yet once the 60/40 split fold rear seats were down it slipped in a treat with room for the rest of the stuff around it.
And despite being fully laden the little 77bhp engine performed well; a bit lethargic off the mark but well up to holding its own on the motorway and returning mpg in the mid-40s.
Having been initially skeptical about the Hyundai I found myself warming to the car, to the point that by the end of the week I had become quite attached to it.
The i20 does just what it says on the tin and is a simple, no nonsense package.
The firm but comfortable seats feel hardy and look quite attractive with two-tone black and blue inserts and the mid-range Comfort trim provides useful features like a trip computer, fingertip audio controls on the steering wheel and a gauge that tells you how many miles are left until the tank is empty.
What also surprised me was the ease with which the rear can accommodate a pair of six-foot passengers.
But then this is a real little big car. It rides adequately, is well sorted for safety with six airbags and electronic stability control as standard and has the added attraction of a fully transferable five-year warranty and the prediction that low mileage models will retain almost half their value over three years.
FAST FACTS
Hyundai i20 1.2 Comfort 5dr
Price: £9,800
Mechanical: 77bhp, 1,248cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 5-speed manual gearbox
Max speed: 103mph
0-62mph: 12.9 seconds
Combined mpg: 54.3
Insurance group: 3
CO2 emissions: 124g/km
BiK rating: 15%
Warranty: 5yrs/ unlimited mileage