BORN alongside the misery that was the credit crunch, the Hyundai i10 defied the doom and gloom of 2010.

Hyundai benefited from the Government’s scrappage scheme at that time more than any other car manufacturer because the i10 was certainly the best bargain to be had, notably because it was cheap but also because it was such a great product.

However, you cannot afford to stand still in this business, and the diminutive hatchback has had to move with the times to maintain its crown as the best city car out there.

Cosmetically, it now benefits from the company’s new family nose, while the car’s 1.2-litre petrol motor is now cleaner, more efficient and more powerful.

In addition, the 1.1-litre unit has been replaced by a three-cylinder, 68bhp 1.0-litre engine that forms the basis of Hyundai’s eco-centric i10 Blue variant.

This high-tech three-cylinder engine achieves an impressive 60mpg on the combined cycle and is a perfect match.

The i10 is something of a refreshing surprise in what is an incredibly competitive market. Small cars are everywhere, but what makes the i10 special is Hyundai’s decision to treat its mini model as something bigger.

For a bargain price you get anything but a budget runaround.

It might appear no larger than most other cars on the market but appearances are deceptive. It’s no people carrier but there’s more space in the cabin and the boot than you think.

The i10 is also more capable on the road than you might expect. Small, inexpensive cars aren’t supposed to be up to much - at least that’s how it usually works. The little Hyundai is not your usual small car, though. With its direct and accurate steering, supple ride and refined cabin, it would appear that compromise has been ripped out of Hyundai’s corporate dictionary.

With its eager thrum, it is more than capable of keeping up with the rush-hour traffic and never feels out of place on the motorway. Sure, you have to plan ahead on faster roads, but the unit’s eager nature makes light work of the urban environment. The slick five-speed manual gearbox helps, and it never feels out of puff away from the city limits.

There’s no question that the i10 is an excellent car - it drives well, feels solid and is practical for its size. That it comes equipped more like an entry-level family hatch is a bonus. Factor in high levels of reliability plus Hyundai’s famed five-year warranty and it’s clear that this i10 is no lightweight.

This is the longest and widest city car out there, and Hyundai’s claim of B-segment quality and practicality in an A-segment package is no empty slogan.

You get a boot that accommodates a medium-size travel case, while cabin quality is as high as you could hope for in a car of this class.

Keep the revs low, and even at 50mph the cabin is surprisingly hushed. This is the smallest car Hyundai makes, remember, and even if it is bigger than the rivals it definitely sets new standards for interior noise levels.

Already named as ‘Best City Car’ in the 2017 Fleet World Honours for its “unbeatable combination of superb practicality, generous equipment levels and low running costs”, the i10 is available in seven trim levels. Standard equipment levels are generous, while the mid and high-specification models feature ‘big car’ technology such as cruise control, a heated leather steering wheel and front seats, keyless entry and start, and full automatic climate control.

It comes within a whisker of a five-star rating.