Item: Used Hyundai Amica Hatchback 2000 - 2003
Rating: 3
Author: What Car? Team

What is it like?

Ownership cost

Advice for buyers

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Hatchback

Hyundai has transformed itself from a maker of oddball hatchbacks that sold in small numbers in the UK, to a major rival to the likes of Ford, Vauxhall and Volkswagen.

The Korean firm’s Ioniq Hybrid is particularly impressive, having beaten the trend-setting Toyota Prius when we tested the cars back to back.

Meanwhile, at the extremes of the Hyundai range you find the tiny i10 city car – a four-time What Car? award winner – and the stylish yet family-friendly Santa Fe SUV.

As a bonus, all of these cars come with the reassurance of a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, whereas most of Hyundai’s rivals offer only three years and 60,000 miles of cover.

HYUNDAI

AMICA

Decent, and reliable, city car for very little cash

Used Hyundai Amica Hatchback 2000 - 2003

In a word, no: running costs are low. Even late cars in range-topping GSi trim can be had for peanuts, and most will have low-mileages.

Running costs are very competitive, if not brilliant. You'll get 44.8mpg from the 1.0-litre engine, and insurance groupings stand at 3 for the Si and 4 for the GSi.

If you're considering the 2006 car, you'll pay a lot more for it by virtue of the fact that it will be a lot newer. However, you'll get better running costs, thanks to the more efficient 1.1-litre engine, which returns an average of 52.3mpg. Insurance groupings, again, are 3 or 4.

Like most Hyundais, though, the Amica doesn't seem particularly cheap to service. Even this little city car will cost you more to maintain than the average supermini - surprising when you consider that this is the budget car from a budget brand.

Decent, and reliable, city car for very little cash

The Amica is from the like-it-or-lump-it school when it comes to engines, because there's only one. The 1.0-litre petrol unit has just 55bhp and isn't quick, but it's adequate around town. On motorways, there's just about enough power to keep up with traffic, but the noise levels let you know how hard it's working.

There's a choice of Si or GSi trim. Si gives you electric front windows and a driver's airbag, but not a lot else, so GSi is a much better bet. It comes with air-con, alloy wheels, central locking and power steering. Naturally, it's a tiny bit more expensive, but still perfectly affordable.

This version of the Amica was discontinued in the UK in 2003, but it was resurrected in 2006 with a new engine and a new look. The 1.1-litre engine gives a handier 62bhp, and the specifications remained similar, but the GSi is now the entry-level model, with the range topper being the CDX.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Spacious enough for four adults to sit comfortably</li> <li>Logically laid-out interior that doesn’t</li> <li>feel too cheap</li> <li>Mature driving manners </li> <li>Decent-sized boot</li> <li>Competitive buying and running costs</li></ul>

Small cars, or superminis as they’re also known, used to be bought by single people or couples with no children – but the likes of the Ford Fiesta, Seat Ibiza and Volkswagen&nbsp;Polo have grown to the point where they can be considered all-round family transport, albeit with the odd compromise.

The Fiesta remains a star of the class, thanks to its strong Ecoboost petrol engines and suspension settings that are beautifully judged for British roads. However, the latest Volkswagen offers even more practicality, decent performance and a classy interior that has the edge on the Ford’s for quality.

Any of these models will be a competent commuter car – especially if fitted with one of the increasingly popular small turbocharged petrol engines – but just remember that while you’ll be able to carry two adults and two children, it might still be a struggle to get all of their luggage into the boot.

Small

Hyundai always performs strongly in our reliability surveys, and it is normally only the usual Japanese manufacturers that can beat the Korean firm. Not only are Hyundai's products terrifically reliable, but on the rare occasion they do go wrong, they usually cost little to fix.

Buyers are also very satisfied with Hyundai ownership, according to the JD Power survey. The Korean firm is usually guaranteed a top-10 finish. Such is Hyundai's confidence in the solidity of its products that it has offered a five-year, unlimited mileage warranty on all cars since September 2002. If you buy an Amica registered after this date, you'll enjoy the extra peace of mind this cover provides.

There are precious few known problems. However, if the car starts to misfire, check the plug leads for deterioration. Also, be careful if your car has air-conditioning, because the heat exchanger at the front of the car can rust through, causing the system to leak.

If you're in the market for a cheap city car with low running costs, the Amica won't disappoint.

This is a car that will never demand too much of your cash. It's extremely inexpensive considering all the equipment you get (provided you choose the right model) and running costs are minimal.

Granted, it's not great to drive, but it's reasonable. The soft suspension soaks up the majority of bumps well, but bigger ones can be felt crashing into the cabin. The body does lean a lot in corners, but there's enough grip to keep you safely on the black stuff, although the small but frugal engine means it performs best in town.

The cabin is bland and uses cheap materials, but it's certainly durable, and a clean version shouldn't be hard to find. There's space enough for four adults, and it's easy for passengers to get in and out.

Used Hyundai Amica Hatchback 2000 - 2003 review

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