Motoring | On the road

Hyundai i20 1.0 T-GDi 90 PS Tech Line

By Bill McCarthy

I have driven a few i20s over the years, from the entry-level cars to the firecracker i20 N. Time and again, they’ve proved worthy. It’s one of the most rounded superminis on sale.

With the 1.0-litre turbocharged 90 PS petrol engine, it promises low running costs without stripping out equipment. It isn’t a hot hatch – except maybe for the now-departed N – but it’s a genuinely likeable, practical, economical everyday car.

It’s been a familiar sight on the roads for a few years now. There’s a new model on the way but in the meantime, the current car is still worth a look.

Performance and driving

Under the bonnet is a 998cc three-cylinder turbo petrol producing 90 PS.. It drives the front wheels through a six-speed intelligent manual gearbox, which can decouple the engine when coasting to save fuel.

The numbers are modest: 0-62mph in about 11.5 seconds and a 112mph top speed. Yet it feels quicker than that. The rasp of the three-pot engine gives a sporty feel when you floor it, even if the figures don’t bear it out. It’s eager enough around town, the gearbox shifts cleanly, and the light steering makes city driving effortless.

On smooth roads, the i20 feels composed, with a tight turning circle and good visibility. The trade-off is a firm ride, especially over potholes, but it rewards with decent body control. Drive modes adjust throttle response and steering weight, while cruise control makes longer journeys relaxed.

It also proved surprisingly able around the twisting lanes and steep ascents of the Lake District.

The little three-cylinder turbo had enough low-down torque to pull cleanly out of tight bends and up the climbs, while the compact dimensions and light steering made narrow, hedged roads feel easy to place rather than intimidating.

That kind of driving – constant gradients, slow corners and repeated gear changes – made the official economy figure of 47.9mpg was slightlyoptimistic. In my real world this was nearer 45mpg. Still respectable for a petrol supermini.

Interior and equipment

The Tech Line cabin offers plenty, with heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and multi-colour ambient lighting make cold mornings far more bearable. The driver’s seat is height-adjustable, and the rear bench splits 60:40. Electric front and rear windows, luggage hooks and a front cup holder add everyday usability.

TThe dual-screen setup is the highlight: a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Climate control, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, cruise control and drive modes are all standard. Parking is easy thanks to front sensors and a rear-view camera, while automatic wipers, wireless charging and USB ports front and rear keep life simple.

There’s also a smart key with engine start button, immobiliser and steering wheel remote controls. A temporary mobility kit, privacy glass and aero wiper blades complete the package. Some plastics are hard to the touch, but the layout is logical and the kit count embarrasses pricier rivals.

Practicality and safety

Boot space is 352 litres, expanding to 1,165 litres with the rear seats folded – among the best in class and enough for a weekly tip run or a weekend away with plenty of baggage. The 60:40 split makes carrying longer items easy and they benefit from a USB-C charging port,

The i20 is well protected, too. Standard safety kit includes lane keep assist, lane follow assist, intelligent speed limit assist, forward collision avoidance, driver and front passenger airbags, side and curtain airbags, ABS, ISOFIX and childproof rear door locks. An eCall system adds peace of mind in an emergency.

Verdict

The i20 isn’t the fastest or most exciting supermini. But it is efficient, practical and well equipped. The firm ride and some cheap interior materials are minor flaws in an otherwise sensible package. With a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, it still makes the current model worth a look offers an impressive package without the premium price tag.

Factfile

Hyundai i20 1.0 T-GDi 90 PS Tech Line
Price: from £24,245
Mechanical: 90ps, 998cc, 3-cyl turbo petrol, front-wheel drive, 6-speed intelligent manual
Max speed: 112mph
0-62mph: 11.5 seconds
Combined mpg: 47.9
Insurance group: 13E
CO2 emissions: 134g/km
BiK rating: 32%
Warranty: 5yrs/unlimited miles

Chinese brands have had remarkable success over the last couple of years, with sales booming and capturing a significant share of the UK market. It’s not hard to see why – they offer low prices, advanced technology (some would argue a little too. advanced), and cheap finance deals

That’s a heady mix for those looking for a motor in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis. They are even undercutting Korean brands, which themselves undercut more established brands over the past 20 years.

However, doubts remain over uncertain resale values and little data about long-term reliability. Chery is one of the biggest Chinese manufacturers, owning both fast-selling Omoda and Jaecoo, but has also launched vehicles under its own name. And so far, they are proving impressive. Following a drive in the Chery Tiggo 7, this was followed by a test in its flagship model, the Tiggo 9.

What does it offer?

It’s huge, nearly five metres long, and is a full seven-seater plug-in hybrid with all-wheel drive. It is packed with equipment, has a range of around 650 miles (WLTP) and undercuts rivals significantly with a price tag of around £43k.

It can also double up as a removal van; when we moved a three-seater settee, the flat loading space swallowed it up. Safety kit includes autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera, all standard.

Known as the Tiggo 9 CSH (Chery Super Hybrid), it’s stylish and offers a high‑end interior. On the outside, it cuts a bold, imposing figure, with a large chrome grille, slim LED headlights, and sharp creases along the flanks that give it a distinctly premium stance – though the oversized badging does little to hide its Chinese origins. It comes in a single, fully loaded trim called Summit, with everything from heated seats to a panoramic sunroof as standard.

Powertrain

The plug-in hybrid pairs a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine with twin electric motors and an automatic transmission. The combination delivers a combined 428 PS and 580 Nm of torque. Floor it, and it races to 62 mph in just 5.4 seconds – though the acceleration is smooth rather than brutal.

Just as impressive is its class-leading 91-mile electric range (WLTP) and a total range of over 650 miles, aided by a 34.46 kWh battery. That battery can rapid-charge from 30–80% in around 18 minutes and also features 6.6 kW Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability, letting you power laptops or camping gear.

On the road

It’s a pleasant drive. The car runs in pure EV mode at low speeds, then combines both power sources for strong acceleration. It feels almost EV-like with instant response, and even when the petrol engine kicks in, it remains quiet and refined.

Handling is not its strong point – it is, after all, nearly 16 feet long – and the steering is adequate at best. But keep it in a straight line, and it’s a blast. There are three drive modes – Eco, Normal and Sport – plus Snow, Sand and Off-Road settings for tougher conditions. Not needed during this hot summer test, but good to have in reserve.

Interior & tech

Inside, the standard kit reads like a luxury brand’s options list. There are heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, with the second row also heated and ventilated. Central is a 15.6-inch touchscreen and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. The central screen controls navigation, smartphone connectivity, and infotainment, with a 14-speaker Sony sound system.

My continued criticism of these systems is that they can be overly distracting. Some controls feel less like a quick setting and more like finding a needle in a haystack within a sub-menu of a sub-menu. Some safety assistance features, for instance, seem buried. The constant bing and bongs of the ADAS system also have to be turned down,

Practicality

It’s a genuine seven-seater with a 2+3+2 layout, though the rearmost seats are better suited to children. Boot space varies from 143 litres with all seven seats in use, expanding to 819 litres with the third row folded, and a cavernous 2,021 litres with both rear rows folded flat – enough to swallow furniture with ease.

Chery has a growing dealer network, and the vehicle comes with a 7-year/unlimited-mile vehicle warranty and an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty for the hybrid battery, plus roadside assistance.

While uncertainties around resale values and long-term durability remain, Chery is making a strong case by offering a huge, tech-laden seven-seat PHEV at a price that seriously undercuts European and Japanese rivals, backed by a warranty package designed to give buyers peace of mind.

Factfile

Chery Tiggo 9 CSH Summit
Price: £ 43,105 OTR
Mechanical: 428 PS, 1.5-litre turbo petrol with twin electric motors and 34.46 kWh battery, driving all four wheels via an auto transmission
Max speed: 115 mph (estimated)
0 to 62 mph: 5.4 sec
Electric range: 91 miles (WLTP)
CO2 emissions: 33 g/km
BiK rating: 8%
Warranty: 7 years/unlimited miles (vehicle), 8 years/100,000 miles (battery)

On the road

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Hyundai’s spacious and well equipped supermini