There are a few things that you want from your first car. You'll want it to be reliable, cheap to run, easy to drive and if you can get something that makes you enjoy driving, that's an added bonus. It may seem like you're searching for a unicorn when you list your demands like that but, surprisingly enough, there are several manufacturers who do cater for these attributes.
Related: 3 most important factors when buying a first car
Hyundai has fast worked its way up the ranks as being affordable, reliable and enjoyable to drive. Their reliability and extended warranties have shown that one needs not worry about a Hyundai in the long run and there's very little chance that you will be left by the side of the road if it's maintained according to the manufacturer's servicing schedule.
We're taking a look at the typical first car options from the Hyundai stable and excluding those that are a little larger, more expensive and possibly better suited to more experienced drivers.
Hyundai Atos
If you're a little older than most first-time car shoppers, you may remember the previous Hyundai Atos and if you've paid attention to the roads, you would also have noticed many of them are still on the roads. This cheerful little city car was later known as the i10 and more recently Hyundai decided to return to the Atos name for the latest generation.
Related: Is the Hyundai Atos good for new drivers?
Despite its small price, the Atos offers a lot of big-car features such as a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, and USB input, air conditioning, dual airbags, and ABS with EBD function. The Atos is also available with an automatic gearbox for those that are still getting accustomed to manually shifting. If you sit in traffic, this may be the one for you!
It is a compact car and space is not something you're paying for here. As such, the boot is a small 235-litres, slightly smaller than its rivals and rear legroom is also on the conservative side. What will please you is the fuel-efficient 1.1-litre 4-cylinder engine that returns a claimed combined fuel consumption of only 5.7l/100km.
| Model | Price |
| Hyundai Atos 1.1 Motion | R180 900 |
| Hyundai Atos 1.1 Motion Auto | R191 900 |
Hyundai Grand i10
So you like what you've seen with the Atos, but you just know that it's going to be too small for you in the coming years. Kids grow, that's one of the facts of life and it makes sense to get a car that can cater for them well into their teenage years. The Hyundai Grand i10 is the solution to that problem. Increased rear legroom and additional boot space mean that you will have more than enough space for the school bags. The 360-litre boot can be expanded to 900-litres when you fold the rear seats forward.
Related: Is the new Hyundai Grand i10 good for families?
The Grand i10 is powered by a choice of two engines; a 49 kW 1.0-litre or a 61 kW 1.2-litre engine, both consuming petrol. Two trims, Motion and Fluid (with the Fluid offering a choice of 1.0 or 1.2 engines) are both available with a slick self-shifting option that reduces the number of pedals required to operate the Grand i10 to two. The claimed fuel consumption for the Grand i10 is listed as 5.4l/100km for the 1.0 and 5.9l/100km for the 1.2-litre version.
On the safety front, you get dual airbags, ABS with EBD, ISOFIX mountings for child seats in the outer rears, side-impact beams and dedicated crumple zones. The creature comforts are there too with a touchscreen infotainment system, replete with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, USB, and electric windows in the front and rear.
| Model | Price |
| Hyundai Grand i10 1.0 Motion | R201 900 |
| Hyundai Grand i10 1.0 Motion Auto | R229 500 |
| Hyundai Grand i10 1.0 Fluid | R229 500 |
| Hyundai Grand i10 1.2 Fluid | R242 500 |
| Hyundai Grand i10 1.2 Fluid Auto | R271 500 |
Hyundai i20
Let's be honest here, this is the Hyundai you actually had your eye on. The attractive i20 is now in its third generation and looking better than ever. Not only is it a looker, but it's packed with value and backed by Hyundai's extensive warranty that extends to 7-years on the drivetrain.
Related: Everything you need to know about the Hyundai i20
In the i20 range, you can choose from a 1.2-litre, 1.4-litre, or 1.0-litre turbo engine, all with varying levels of power output. You get 61 kW in the 1.2, 74 kW from the 1.4, and 90 kW from the turbocharged 1.0-litre engine. Fuel consumptions range from 5.9l/100km for the 1.2-litre and top out with the 1.6-litre at 6.9 l/100km. Both the 1.4-litre version and 1.0T model are also available with an automatic gearbox.
The i20 is also safe with dual airbags with Fluid models receiving additional curtain airbags and side airbags. They also get ABS with EBD, rear park assist and a reverse camera. It's not shy on convenience features either with a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, multifunction steering wheel, wireless charging and electric mirrors. Boot space comes in at a respectable 311-litres, perfect for the mid-sized family.
| Model | Price |
| Hyundai i20 1.2 Motion | R281 900 |
| Hyundai i20 1.2 Fluid | R295 900 |
| Hyundai i20 1.4 Motion Auto | R311 900 |
| Hyundai i20 1.0T Fluid | R337 500 |
| Hyundai i20 1.0T Fluid Auto | R362 500 |
Hyundai Venue
The Hyundai Venu is the first foray into the crossover/SUV segment as you climb up Hyundai's portfolio. This affordable crossover is roving to be popular and is selling extremely well, finding a place in both the garages and hearts of those who buy them. This spacious, economical offering is just the ticket for the active individual and especially those with young kids.
Related: The Hyundai Venue — Your new happy place
The Venue offers you comprehensive safety with six airbags on Fluid and Glide variants, ABS with EBD, central locking, side-impact beams, remote keyless entry, and auto-locking doors. There's 350-litres of boot space and ample headroom for taller individuals. Convenience features include a touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 4-speaker audio system and Bluetooth functionality.
You get several variants to choose from and three trim options; Motion, Fluid, and Glide. The range starts with the naturally aspirated 1.2 Motion that makes 61 kW and 115 Nm and is followed by the 1.0T that produces 88 kW and 175 Nm. Claimed fuel consumption is as low as 6.5 l/100km for both the 1.2-litre and 1.0T engine models.
| Model | Price |
| Hyundai Venue 1.2 Motion | R262 500 |
| Hyundai Venue 1.0T Motion | R320 900 |
| Hyundai Venue 1.0T Fluid | R352 900 |
| Hyundai Venue 1.0T Motion Auto | R357 900 |
| Hyundai Venue 1.0T Fluid Auto | R386 900 |
| Hyundai Venue 1.0T Glide | R419 900 |
