IT'S too easy to become typecast as a car manufacturer. The public tends to get a stereotypical image of a typical car buyer - BMWs are driven by pushy, ambitious types, the Honda Jazz owner is elderly and ponderous.

Hyundai's method of escaping generalisations has been to split the new i20 range into two distinct models - the five-door hatch and the three-door Coupe, a completely new version.

With more sporty lines and a rakish profile yet boasting a larger than average boot, it is easy to understand how the Coupe will appeal to a younger audience. Good economy and a sub-£13,000 price tag add to the attraction.

Although there's a diesel version which might be favoured by high mileage users, I chose to the smaller 1.2-litre petrol model which knocks out a modest 83bhp.

It's not state of the art technology, nor is it particularly sporty but performance of 0-62mph in 12.8 seconds is perfectly adequate and sound insulation is good enough to ensure a high degree of refinement that's more usually associated with larger cars. Top speed is 106mph.

The five-speed gearbox is light and slick which helps make the little Hyundai an easy car to punt around town. Steering has more feel than many small cars with power-assisted systems and this adds to driver enjoyment. It corners well with little roll and plenty of grip.

The Coupe's suspension is well damped giving it a comfortable and resolved ride over most surfaces. Even ruts and pot-holes are soaked up with ease, a noticeable improvement over earlier small Hyundais.

Drive the 1.2-litre cautiously and 50mpg is within your sights - very close to the more expensive diesel. The official combined average is 55.4mpg with CO2 emissions of 119g/km, giving owners a tax bill of £30 a year.

Underlining the reasonable cost of ownership, the i20 like other Hyundai models is covered by a five year warranty with unlimited mileage.

Cabin design is a big step forward with the use of high grade plastics and some stylish use of painted metal to match the car's exterior finish - metallic orange in the case of the test car.

The dash is clutter free and smart with a built in mobile phone carrier as standard. Also included in the spec of the SE model are alloy wheels, cruise control with speed limiter, parking sensors, heated electrically adjustable door mirrors, Bluetooth and steering wheel-mounted audio controls.

The only extra added to this car - price £12,725 - was pearl paintwork at £495.

Compared with most similarly priced superminis, the Coupe has a bigger boot which can absorb 311 litres of luggage. Fold down the rear seats and this expands to 986 litres.

There's ample room for four full-size adults aboard but tall passengers in the rear might find their heads touching the roof lining - the sporty lines have inevitably compromised headroom.