THERE are plenty of drivers who want a smaller family car with plenty of space that's easy to drive and live with around town.

Such cars - big inside and small outside - are swift becoming part of the SUV takeover.

But one small people carrier that was produced until 2019 and would therefore suit many secondhand car buyers is the Hyundai iX20 which really seems to get the proverbial quart into a pint pot.

Before it was launched in Europe, the company tested it extensively on UK roads and modified suspension and handling to suit so that it's very refined and comfortable.

It is also very reasonable to run, with low emissions giving cheaper tax, low insurance groups and decent economy.

On top of that the level of equipment is excellent for the low prices, and they originally came with a five year unlimited mileage warranty. You have to be pretty sure of your product to do that.

Towards the end of production there were four engines to choose from - two diesel and two petrol. Most on the secondhand market seem to be the entry level 1.4-litre petrol.

This comes with 89bhp and a five-speed manual gearbox giving 0 to 60 miles an hour acceleration of 12.5 seconds. It can do a very good 52 miles per gallon economy.

The other petrol is a 1.6-litre with 123bhp and it's the most powerful engine on offer. It's available as both a manual and an automatic and the manual gets to 60 in 10.4 seconds while being capable of 48mpg.

The two diesel engines are the same size as the petrols, 1.4 and 1.6. The 1.4CRDi has a power output of 89bhp and with a six speed manual box, gets to 60 in 14 seconds and takes economy up to 65mpg.

There's not much low-down pull from this one but once you get it to motorway speeds it will cruise along quite happily.

The 1.6 diesel has 115bhp and brings the sprint down to 11.1 seconds, while managing a very best economy 64mpg.

All come with start/stop, which helps to lower emissions and improve economy.

At low speeds the steering has plenty of assistance, which helps with manoeuvring in tight car parks but it firms up well as speed increases and gives reasonable feel.

There's a little roll through faster corners as you might expect in a car built for comfort, and with a fairly high roofline, but grip and roadholding are still very safe.

Performance is fair in all models but they are never going to set the world alight. Suffice it to say that it's adequate for the kind of people most likely to buy one.

All round visibility is excellent and although there is some engine noise in the 1.4 diesel, as it has to be worked hard to get it up to speed, there is little intrusion from wind or road.

For such a compact car the iX20 is very spacious inside with plenty of headroom for all passengers, thanks mainly to the high roofline.

But it's the rear legroom that is the most impressive. Any adult over six foot will have a comfortable journey in the back.

Equipment that comes as standard in the mid-range SE includes air con, alarm, height adjustable driver's seat, decent stereo with remote control, parking sensors, six airbags and traction control.

Pay about £10,200 for a '19 69-reg 1.4 Premium Nav Blue Drive, or £13,000 for a '20 20-reg 1.6 SE Nav.