If you think that £9,000 doesn’t buy you much when it comes to a brand-new car, you obviously haven’t experienced the Hyundai i10.

Available for only £8,995 until the end of September at Gloucester’s Westlands Hyundai, the Hyundai i10 SE might be one of the most compact and affordable new cars available, but its specification and space are akin to those of a much larger vehicle.

So, what do you get for just shy of £9,000? Well, unlike the majority of its city car rivals, the i10 is a full five-seater, while it also boasts the biggest boot in its highly-competitive class.

In our tested ‘SE’ model, the i10 also comes with a surprisingly high level of equipment. Standard features include electric windows front and back, air conditioning, cruise control with speed limiter (manual only), daytime running lights, remote central locking, and a USB and Aux connection. Unlike with a lot of cars in its segment, there’s no exposed metal on the inside – the i10 benefiting from full-size doorcards that enhance its quality feel. If it sounds appealing, then you’d be right and it won’t come as a surprise to hear that 9 out of 10 Hyundai i10 buyers opt for the SE.

Under its bonnet, there’s a 1.0-litre petrol engine, producing 66PS and emitting just 108g/km CO2, which makes the current VED excise duty free for the first year and a mere £20 per year after. Although small and only having three cylinders, the engine is remarkably refined. It is tractable too, and although you do need to make full use of the precise-feeling five-speed gearbox to make the best progress, the i10 will happily change up to the next gear at low revs – ideal if you want to eke out the maximum 47.1mpg that the five-door hatchback is capable of around town.

Of course, it’s in urban environments that the i10 excels – its 12ft length making it a cinch to park. The car’s light steering enhances its nimble low-speed manoeuvrability too, but it’s also pleasing to feel it become slightly heavier as your pace increases.

Factor in a five-year, unlimited mileage warranty and it’s incredibly hard to find any kind of negative with the baby Hyundai. So, does the i10 get a 10, then? Well, What Car? Magazine thought so and voted it 2015’s Best City Car, but then everyone’s different, so why not find out with your own test drive? That said, we very much doubt that you’ll be disappointed.