HYUNDAI and legendary gymnast Nadia Comaneci have something in common - they've both achieved a perfect 10.

As a 14-year-old the Romanian achieved the magical mark for an inspired routine on the uneven bars on her way to three gold medals at the 1976 Montreal Olympics.

It was the first time in the modern era that the score had been awarded and it shifted the boundaries for what was possible in the sport.

The second generation of the South Korean group's i10 city car is perhaps not as ground-breaking as Nadia - but it nevertheless sets the highest standards when it comes to refinement, practicality, ride and handling at a value for money price.

There are not many cars that you can sit in for the first time and feel totally at home. Normally there is some control or switch that needs to be tracked down but with the i10 everything is logically placed and easy to use.

The cabin is also a pleasant place to spend a journey as it combines comfortable seats and just about enough space for five adults - there are a trio of three-point seatbelts in the rear - with a modern look that is easy on the eye featuring a choice of bright colours for the seat trim, dashboard and gear lever surround.

My 1.2-litre Premium SE test car was finished in a tasteful orange beige which immediately grabbed the attention of anyone travelling in the car.

There's more than a hint of supermini pretensions with this five-door city slicker as the boot swallows a useful 253 litres of luggage or shopping - expanding to 1,046 litres with the 60:40 split rear seat folded.

Cubby holes are also plentiful with decent doorbins able to cope with large bottles as well as a deeper storage area between the driver and front-seat passenger which is also home to connections for iPod and MP3 players.

The top of the range Premium SE model is backed up by five other versions - S, S Air, SE, SE Blue Drive and Premium - with all getting remote central locking, electric front windows and a trip computer.

As you step up access is gained to goodies such as electric rear windows, electrically adjustable heated door mirrors, air conditioning, cruise control and alloy wheels. By the time you reach the summit a decent music system operated via controls on the leather-trimmed steering wheel as well as Bluetooth connectivity are added to the mix.

I quite liked some of the big-car ideas Hyundai have incorporated into the i10 such as front fog lights that illuminate when corners are taken slowly - helpful when turning into a drive so you can see where you're going before you get there.

A showstopper is Hyundai's outstanding five year, unlimited mileage warranty that also includes five years of breakdown recovery.

There are two petrol engines to choose from - a 65bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder and the 86bhp 1.2-litre four-cylinder power unit under the bonnet of the i10 I drove.

Both are mated to a smooth five-speed manual gearbox with an automatic transmission offered as an option on the larger engine.

I found fuel economy to be reasonable at around 50mpg - although the smaller engine is more frugal achieving 60mpg while also offering reduced carbon dioxide emissions.

The experience behind the wheel is good - especially in the urban jungle where the i10's light steering, raised driving position and top notch visibility make zipping around town and parking in the tightest of spaces a piece of cake.

The exterior is neat to look with a stylish face and neat creases down side of the car giving it plenty of kerb appeal.