Hyundai i20 Coupe, car review: Excitement never its strong point, but turbocharged engine could change that

This revs briskly, with the funky rasp that’s typical of three-cylinder units

The word ‘coupe’ normally brings with it some suggestion that you’re going to have fun when you turn the key. But the words ‘Hyundai i20’ have tended to do the opposite.

Here, though, is a three-door version of the revised model with its new 1.0-litre turbo engine.

This revs briskly, with the funky rasp that’s typical of three-cylinder units. Think of it as 50 per cent of a V6 snarl.

In doing so, the 998cc triple sings out 118bhp and 126lb ft. The former arrives at 6000rpm, so you need to put your foot down, but do so and it’s brisk enough to keep you satisfied.

Other good things include the space in the cabin, which by supermini standards provides generous accommodation for a quartet of adults and everything they’re likely to be carrying with them.

It’s also home to a good range of equipment, as you’d expect from a Korean vehicle. Tested here in mid-range Sport form, our i20 punched above its weight with a strong infotainment system, good nav, climate, rear-view cam and rain and dusk sensors.

So it’s roomy and well kitted out, and with its new engine it goes well. It’s pretty cheap to run, too, and we’ve no qualms at all with it in terms of safety.

Hyundai i20 Coupé 1.0-T GDi 120 Sport Nav

On sale: Now 
Price: £15,700 
Engine: 3 cyls, 998cc, turbocharged 
Power: 118bhp at 6000rpm 
Torque: 126lb ft at 1500-4000rpm 
Gearbox: 6-spd manual 
Kerb weight: 1217kg
Top speed: 118mph 
0-62mph: 10.2sec 
Economy: 58.9mpg (combined) 
CO2 rating & BIK tax band: 112g/km, 17 per cent

That all adds up to a thoroughly sensible buy, but there’s where the i20 trips up. Sensible doesn’t equal sensuous in this case – however pleased you are with yourself for buying one, you’re unlike to get turned on when you leave the town behind and find yourself a nice B-road.

The new engine highlights this, if anything. Now it’s quicker, the i20’s chassis feels stodgier than ever. The steering doesn’t tell you anything worth knowing, bar that you are indeed going round a corner, and the suspension tells you everything you don’t want to know about the road surface.

Aside from that, this i20 has a lot to recommend it. But dynamically, its rivals give it a spanking. Look to Ford, Mini or Suzuki, or even to DS, and you’ll get a lot more fun for your money. You might not get as much kit, and if a car is nothing more to you than a means of getting from A to B then this Hyundai has your name written all over it. But for any kind of driving pleasure, you can do much better.