1.4 CRDi Style 5dr Hatchback

Cheap to buy, Pleasant to Drive, Reliable

This I20 was purchased new as a replacement for a Clio II 1.5 DCi.
Key criteria was for a car that passed the 'big golden retriever in the boot' test. So many super-minis have steeply raked hatches and the poor mutt would bang his head. The only cars that made the short-list (on this criteria) was the I20 and the Fiesta. A test drive in a 15k mile Fiesta revealed a car that felt completely exhausted - interior, gearbox, engine, terrible. So we plumped for the I20 - at least the 5 year warranty and a dealer within a mile of home gave some reassurance...
So we picked up one of the models being turned out cheap just prior to the spring 2012 facelift, 1.4 diesel with the full extras and trim packs, at a bargain price.

And so far (10k miles from new) so good (apart from one hiccup).

The car has been petty impeccable in all respects. It goes and handles decently, is spacious (for humans and dogs) and is very comfortable, even for me at 6'2".
The driving has included two Newcastle to Normandy jaunts with no aches. These trips showed up it's shortfall, which is that the 1.4D with it's 5-speed box is needing a 6th gear at the 130kph (90mph) French autoroute limit. So if you do a lot of motorway driving, the 1.6 with the 6-speed box might be better.
Fit and finish are so far okay. The plastics look ok (but no more) and feel cheap, but unless you're a facia fondler, it doesn't really matter in real world use. There are no squeaks or rattles inside or out/under, and it all seems well screwed together and robust.
The mechanical niggle so far is a 'shift-up' light (prompts you to change up gear to improve economy) that went out intermittently in wet conditions. Seems to be a standard problem and does not impact driving in any way. And at least it is a light that disappears, not one that flashes to irritate you. It has not reoccurred as winter and wet weather have re-started, so it can wait until the service.
The hiccup was the car grinding to a halt and refusing to restart. The local dealer immediately diagnosed a faulty fuel sensor and gave a loan car until the new sensor arrived. Dealer got full marks for promptness, service and support. And I'm not going to jump to any conclusions about 'what you get for buying a cheap car' - I know plenty of owners of recent cars (in particular, friends who have purchased Peugeot 508 and BMW 120) who have had such niggles in the first year.

Overall, even though it's not a car that's going to set your heart alight, or get you passionate to go racing around country lanes, it is great car for little money. Certainly, the scepticism (bordering on scorn) that I held for this marque 5-10 years ago has been erased.

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