Hyundai Amica 1.1 Atlantic : BUDGET BEATER

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For less than £5,000, its difficult to argue with Hyundais Amica 1.1 Atlantic, thinks Jonathan Crouch

How much of a new car can you get for under £5,000? You wont be expecting a great deal. In fact, you might well quite legitimately think that if you were able to secure any new car for less than £5,000 on the road, then youd have got a great deal. Should you be in such a position, needing a new car on such a tight budget, then you need to know about Hyundais Amica Atlantic.

You probably wont know what a Hyundai Amica is, so lets clear that up to begin with. The Amica is Hyundais take on the citycar market currently populated with products like Peugeots 107, Citroens C1, Toyotas Aygo, Fords Ka and Vauxhalls Agila. All these cars are supposed to be significantly cheaper than the slightly larger supermini models they sit just below in their respectrive manufacturer line-ups. The problem is that once you spec them up to an acceptable standard, you end up in a position where you might as well have bought something Corsa or Fiesta-sized in the first place.

Hyundais Amica isnt quite Corsa or Fiesta-sized, but its not far off. The first generation Amica did reasonable business for Hyundai on these shores but the UK market didnt initiually get the MK2 model until the UK importers decided to bring in a few in 2006 to test the water. Things have gone quite well for them with this car, hence a standard range that now offers buyers the choice between 1.1-litre petrol GSi and CDX five-door variants at prices ranging between £6,017 and £6,617.

The Atlantc model, at just £4,995, slots in below these two, including all the equipment features you need and nothing you dont. To be more specific, your five grand runs to electric front windows, a drivers airbag, tinted glass, a boot light, central locking, power steering, ABS with Electronic Brake force Distribution and a four speaker audio system with CD player. You cant really argue with this level of specification given the Amicas bargain price point. The safety provision also includes seatbelt pretensioners and 3-point belts in the rear.

Plus you get Hyundais industry-leading warranty package of 5 years unlimited mileage. As with the other Amica variants, this one has the same 1.1-litre petrol engine, good for over 52 miles per gallon on the combined cycle, while potentially staying away from the fuel station for over 400 miles. As for the Amica itself, well its certainly not as small as you might be expecting for a car of this class.

Its 3,565mm long by 1,525mm wide and theres also 1,570mm of height which translates to a pleasantly airy cabin.

"This Amica makes a lot more sense than other models in its range"

As weve said, this car is powered by a 1.1-litre four cylinder petrol engine, this unit featuring 12-valves. Maximum power is produced at 5,500rpm but its only 62bhp so heart-stopping performance is never going to be on the menu. If you must know, the 0-60mph sprint will detain you for a full 15.

2s. Top speed is 91mph but all of this is rather missing the point. The Amica is designed for use in busy towns and cities where the chance to exceed 30mph rarely presents itself and speeds of over 60mph are the stuff of legend. The cars modest kerb weight of 1,007kg helps it feel quite sprightly off the line and means it can easily keep up with traffic, unless youve really weighed it down with shopping.

The ride quality on the flat is decent but the little 13" wheels do let you know about it if they run over a pothole. The turning circle of just 5.1m, combined with the aforementioned compact dimensions, will have you claiming the most inaccessible parking spaces for your own and squeezing through the slightest gaps. Yes, the Amica is well-equipped for urban life but its not a car that can happily turn its hand to longer journeys as extended stints at the wheel can quickly become tiring.

The Amica, as youd expect, isnt a car thats going to put a big dent in the ozone layer every time you fire it up in the morning. Its 1.1-litre engine produces 128g/km of CO2, which wont win it any prizes but is still respectable. Fuel economy of 42mpg is also par for the course for this size car with this size engine but some of the sectors leading lights do significantly better.

Youll get 50mpg from a 1.1-litre Fiat Panda, 46mpg from a 1.2-litre Volkswagen Fox and 61mpg from a 1.0-litre Citroen C1.

Mind you, all of these cost around £1,700 more than the Amica Atlantic. Thats a big difference, even though the models mentioned above have more of a modern feel about them and greater desirability. Hyundai have done a creditable job of styling the Amica. Although the flanks do still bear a striking resemblance to those of the old UK model which was discontinued in 2003, the car has been thoroughly refreshed at each end.

Large headlamps dominate the front, sitting above the chunky bumper and either side of the H-shaped grille. At the back, the predominantly red light clusters stand out while the thick black rubbing strip along the bumper mirrors that at the front and those down the sides. The roofline slopes rearward slightly giving a sportier stance and although it isnt the most eye-catching of citycar designs, its certainly not going to offend anyone. Inside, the Amica is some way off the pace in terms of the funky design that younger citycar buyers look for.

Effort has been put in with good-looking, comfortable seats featuring side bolsters picked out in grey, some nice storage solutions and central air-vents that bulge out of the dash but elsewhere the surroundings fairly anonymous. The old-school control levers for the ventilation system are emblematic of the tired feel inside. Accommodation is good in the Amica, especially for the driver and front passenger who get a surprising amount of space. Travelling four-up, headroom is plentiful but, as is the case with almost all vehicles in this sector, leg and shoulder room in the rear are limited.

Its best to reserve the rear seats for children and the vertically-challenged. Its not the most modern citycar on the market and it lacks the youthful exuberance that manufacturers are so keen to inject their small cars with these days but theres still much to recommend the Hyundai Amica. Its nippy, its inoffensively-styled and running costs are low. Then theres the modest prices and the generous equipment levels to factor in.

For just £5,000, the Amica Atlantic makes a lot more sense than the other models in its range and is now a car that citycar buyers on a budget simply have to take seriously.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

CAR: Hyundai Amica 1.1 Atlantic
PRICES: £4,995 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 3A
CO2 EMISSIONS: 128g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 15.2s /Max Speed 91mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 36.6 / (extra urban) 48mpg / (combined) 42mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Drivers airbag, seatbelt pretensioners, ABS with EBD WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE ?: Length/Width/Heightmm 3565/1525/1570