Summarize

Some cars deserve better. Like this completely underrated and not very celebrated Hyundai Atos.

We never realised it had slipped off the market, let alone this edgy latest version had returned late last year, so please excuse me for being a touch surprised by it when it arrived for test recently. Impressed too, mind you.

All new and based on an all-new platform too, the modern, well equipped latest Atos is now dimensionally bigger - and better at most things while it’s about it too. its spacious cabin packs an impressive list of standard features 

Hyundai calls its little 50kW 99Nm 1086cc 4-cylinder frugal and free-revving and we can hardly argue with that. I can add that it sounds the part and one has to love the way the little mill builds revs too and when we strapped our test kit to it, its numbers, while not quire earth shattering, were adequate and that fuel needle hardly moved in spite of a busy driving schedule

Atos has a spacious and airy cabin, good visibility and decent ergonomics to further contribute to a quiet and impressively comfortable ride too. The rugged looking seats look good and are comfortable, but I could not find a decent driving position because neither the steering column nor seat height adjust, which is a problem for tall guys like me. Having one of those would be fine, but lacking both becomes an issue.

Atos however packs a most impressive level of spec at this price point, from a multifunction steering controlled 7-inch touch screen infotainment system with Apple Car Play, Bluetooth and USB connectivity; an onboard computer and a 12V power socket, the air conditioned Atos even has power front windows.

Safety is adequate too, thanks to driver and front passenger airbags, ABS anti-skid braking and ISOFIX child seat points on the rear bench, while back-up is supreme thanks to Hyundai’s 7-year 200 000km warranty, 7 years and 150 000km of roadside assistance and a year's service plan at 15 000km or annual intervals

There’s plenty competition and even more action in this entry neck of the woods these trying days, and at R165K, the Hyundai Atos may appear a tad dear. But not only is brand new, Atos looks the part, does the job and there’s a hell of a lot of it, too. 

Maybe if it was a bit less of a secret, it’s be even more popular because there is not much else wrong with this little critter at all. — Giordano Lupini

ROAD TESTED: Hyundai Atos 1.1 Motion

Engine: 50kW 90Nm 1.1-litre petrol I4

Drive: 5-speed manual FWD

TESTED: 

0-60km/h: 5.14 sec

0-100km/h: 12.40 sec   

0-120km/h: 18.28 sec

400m: 18.3 sec @ 120km/h

80-120km/h: 9.94 sec     

CLAIMED:       

VMax: 155km/h 

Fuel: 5.7 l/100km

CO2: 127 g/km

Warranty/Service: 7y 200Kkm/1y unl

LIST PRICE: R165K

RATED:          7