1.2 Classic 3dr Hatchback

Economical and reliable small car

I bought this as an ex demo from a local dealer with just 3000 miles on the clock. I've added another 55,000 in the last three and a half years.

Running Costs : In the summer I get 45mpg from mixed local and main road driving. In the winter this drops to 40mpg due to my generally short runs during the week. It's never dropped below that. The best I've managed was about 48mpg. Front tyres are lasting 30k and the rears will last 60k. Brake pads lasted about 50k. The insurance is cheap and road tax low, though the later model has even lower road tax. It's never needed oil between services and the screen wash bottle is huge.

Comfort : From time to time I have to drive into Belgium for business (600 miles round trip), and the i20 gets me there and back in a day without any issues and I don't find myself shuffling in my seat to stay comfortable. For long journeys it's just fine. If I had to whine about anything it would be that seat backrest adjustment is on a ratchet and not a wheel for fine-tuning. However, there's plenty of adjustment and it's easy to get comfortable. Passengers in the back tell me it's comfy and quiet back there.

Practicality : Mine's a three door, so stuffing my 85 year-old mother into the back seat can be a bit of a job, but otherwise entry and exit is a doddle. The back seats fold fairly flat and there's loads of space back there when you need it. There's quite enough pockets, drink holders etc.

Performance : Living down in the South East, with roads punctuated by cameras every few feet, there isn't anywhere that the full performance can be exploited, but it keeps up with traffic both in minor roads in the UK and motorways in Europe. The suspension is firm, so on our badly potholed roads the back end can skitter in a bend, but never enough to cause concern. It grips well around corners, hums along at motorway speeds and never holds anyone else up.

Complaints : None really. The OEM tyres are susceptible to road noise depending on the surface.

Overall : This car is deceptively spacious inside, is quiet, comfortable and economical. It has been utterly reliable throughout the time I have owned it. Nothing has fallen off, no paint has peeled, the interior is still as unblemished as when it left the factory over four years ago.

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