Hyundai i20 vs. Vauxhall Corsa

Buyers in the market for a supermini are spoiled for choice. But one model stands head and shoulders above the rest in the class’s sales charts: the Vauxhall Corsa. It’s easy to see why. Although the Luton model is nearly four years old, it still has bags of appeal.

In five-door form, the Vauxhall is handsome and features some neat detailing, while the interior is well laid out and spacious. Better still, solid build and high-quality materials give a classy feel. This no doubt helped the firm shift 85,000 examples in 2009. Many of these were mid-range 1.4-litre Designs – the £14,200 best seller.

This model has now been replaced by the SE, priced at £14,850. If that sounds a lot, then there is an alternative: the Hyundai i20. Pick an entry-level Classic 1.2-litre petrol model, and you’ll pay £9,340, while the range-topping 1.4-litre CRDi Style is £13,070.

Take a look at Hyundai’s price list, and you’ll see the 1.4-litre petrol costs £12,050 – a saving of £2,800 over the equivalent Corsa. Yet you won’t feel as though you’re driving a bargain basement model. The Hyundai takes its inspiration from the Vauxhall, with similar proportions and design cues, and looks every bit as desirable as the Corsa.

At the front, the i20 gets bold, swept-back headlamps, while distinctive character lines cut into the flanks add to the visual appeal. Entry-level Classic models make do with plastic wheel trims, but Comfort and Style versions feature sporty alloy rims, too.

Climb aboard and you’ll find the i20 isn’t short of space, and easily matches rivals for head and legroom. Under the tailgate there is a 295-litre luggage bay – that’s 10 litres bigger than the Corsa’s. Fold the rear bench flat, and you can liberate an impressive 1,060 litres of load capacity.

There’s plenty of kit, too. Style trim has climate control, leather seats and an iPod connection. Even basic versions get air-con and electric front windows. Better still, electronic stability control is standard on all cars – it’s £455 extra for this valuable safety kit on the Vauxhall. The i20 also has direct steering and decent body control, while it feels agile in corners. The compact dimensions, light controls and good visibility make the car a perfect urban companion.

Performance from the 77bhp 1.2-litre petrol engine is strong, while the 99bhp 1.4-litre unit is quicker still. But many buyers will go for the punchy, refined 1.4-litre CRDi. Available in 74bhp and 89bhp tunes, this promises up to 62mpg economy and a CO2 output as low as 119g/km.

In fact, with its low prices, great kit and decent handling, the Hyundai is a tempting buy.

If you’re still not convinced, the brand has one more trick up its sleeve: an incredible five-year, unlimited mileage warranty.

Add the firm’s great Scrappage Scheme deals, and it may not be long before the i20 and Corsa swap places in the sales charts.

Vauxhall Corsa- the UK's 3rd biggest seller
Generous kit, spacious cabin ensure familiar supermini is still a contender for honours

The new car sales charts are dominated by two manufacturers: Ford and Vauxhall. And this was the second Griffin-badged model to make the top five last year.

The Corsa is a former supermini class champion, and we’re big fans of its spacious, grown-up cabin. Time doesn’t stand still, though, and a raft of younger rivals has arrived to knock the Vauxhall from the top step of the podium. However, the car is still priced competitively – the range starts at £11,065 – and has a five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating, too.

The latest revisions for 2010 include the addition of a heated leather steering wheel and heated seats as standard on all SE models.