BY ANDY ENRIGHT
Apparently named after the A To Z map book youll need to navigate large cities, the Atoz is a city car par excellence. But then so, it could be argued, are any number of other tiny cars from both Asia and Europe. Why buy a used Atoz? Firstly, you may need ultimate utility five doors, acceptable interior space and the narrowness thats handy in the urban sprawl. Secondly, you may want something that faintly resembles a car in appearance, unlike the extreme eggbox shapes of the Suzuki Wagon R+ or Daihatsu Move.
If this is the case, a used Atoz makes a good bet. If the styling is still somewhat too sit-up-and-beg for your liking, the newer but mechanically similar Hyundai Amica may fit the bill. For a growing number of British customers however, the Atoz has been the answer to their particular requirements. Powered by a willing 1.0-litre powertrain, the Atoz is not as hopeless as one might expect on the open road, although free-flowing motorways are not its forte. Still, if you place yourself in the middle of any big UK city and consider how many miles youd need to drive before the Atoz felt a bit exposed in this respect, youd appreciate the logic in searching down a decent used one.
With the Atoz you get a small, rather high rise, but nonetheless quite attractive little city car. Theres not a great deal to choose between the base model and the Atoz+ bar specification differences. The Atoz+ gets an airbag, alloy wheels, air conditioning, central locking and electric front windows. For equipment, practicality and on pricing, it beats a Fiat Seicento or SEAT Arosa hands down.
The Atoz Midas special edition is worth a look, coming equipped with gold mica paintwork, a CD player, rear spoiler, unique alloy wheels and body-coloured bumpers, side mouldings and tailgate handle. Its worth pointing out at this point one item that you dont get with the Atoz and thats ABS. In wet conditions the brakes easily overcome the modest grip afforded by the tiny tyres. Whilst its not dangerous per se, it is something thats worth bearing in mind if youve only ever driven ABS-equipped cars.
Prices for the Atoz start at around £2,000 for a 1998 R registered base model. Add £200 for semi automatic versions and a further £100 for the three-speed auto. The Atoz+ starts at £2,150 for the manual on the same 1998 R plate, price differentials being similar for semi auto and full auto options. A 1999 T registered Atoz Midas special edition is worth £2,400 against an equivalent £2,300 for the Atoz+ on which it is based.
Insurance for the Atoz range is predictably cheap. The base models and Atoz+ fall into group 2, while the Midas edition soars into group 3.
As you may well expect, not a great deal goes wrong with the Atoz. It has one of the better 1.0-litre engines and dealers report that reliability to date has been excellent. As with any small city car check for parking bumps and scrapes, especially as the Atoz may well have been purchased as a first car after passing the driving test.
Also check the fitments at the rear for signs of damage by little hands. Most manufacturers could save a lot of money by taking a couple of four-year olds for a test drive in the back of their cars to see what gets ripped out. Otherwise ensure that the Atozs tyres are in good shape, that the semi-automatic gearbox (if fitted) engages all gears easily and that theres a full service history on display. Take a look at the exhaust too a replacement isnt cheap.
(approx prices based on Atoz 1.0) Most Atoz parts are relatively cheap. Dont however buy one with a wrecked exhaust, as a replacement will be at least £550, which for an early model represents at least 10% of the cars total value. Otherwise theres not too much to worry about.
A radiator costs around £140, a new alternator £160, a starter motor will set you back £135 and a headlamp an illuminatingly modest £80.
The Atoz is a willing performer, the tiny 1.0-litre engine getting top marks for effort, but a must try harder for refinement. Ride is good, with some roll inevitable through tighter corners. Traction is decidedly modest and be aware that you dont have the benefit of ABS.
In the wet a heavy brake foot will have the car slithering about with all four wheels locked. The little four-cylinder engine develops a peak power figure of 55bhp. That doesn't sound very much but it's surprisingly lively on the road (faster in fact than the figures - rest to sixty in 15.1s on the way to 88mph - suggest). You won't want to throw this car around on country roads but for nipping around the streets, it's ideal. It will handle most roads with ease, although quicker motorways and trunk roads will require maximum throttle most of the time. This sort of driving is not conducive to good fuel consumption. With a bit more circumspection you can expect over 35mpg around town and as much as 50mpg on the open road.
That means a potential range of 350-400 miles from the 7.7-gallon tank, something that will put many much larger cars to shame.
The Hyundai Atoz is a city car that adds a little more luggage space, a little more equipment, and a little more peace of mind than most of its rivals. As a used buy it makes good sense, as Hyundais after sales service is one of the best, and that tends to decrease your chances of dredging up a duffer. Theres no pretension with an Atoz, just good fun urban transport.
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