Before I continue, let me begin by saying I have never looked at an Asian car to own or drive until recently. The new Atos arrived here a little while ago, about a year and a bit back, and I didn’t take notice. Needless to say, I searched around for cars online as you will naturally do during a pandemic! Up popped an advert about the new Atos. Wait, new Atos? What about the Grand i10? Turns out they have not dropped it but added the Atos. Funnily enough, back when I did not know how to turn a steering wheel, it was the car I first learn to drive in! I vividly remember a bad quality interior, a not so zippy motor, clutch and gear box was very hard and it just felt very agricultural. Turns out, it was not half that bad after all as I passed my license first time too.
Okay, enough with the jokes let’s get to business!
The new one looks a far side better to the old machine. It has a big smiling face, enough to cheer you up on a bad day. Wait a car cheering you up? Yes, I just said that!
A much more nippy motor as standard, gearbox is better by a long way, brakes are sharp (kind of figured that out in a parking bay, whoops), and inside it feels spacious and very well spaced out. AppleCar Play and Android Auto are standard with a very nice laid out screen, being touchscreen too. They have really up the Atos by a notch or two. Handling feels more planted but that may be down to the fact the tires on my girlfriend’s car are wider and sticky. A surprisingly good ride, remember it is built down to a budget but it copes and absorbs bumps like you will not believe. It looks funky, it feels sturdy and it leaves a big smile on your face. Hyundai really have come to the party with an entry level car. I was guilty of never being one to really look at the Asian car market because it lacked zingy and a character but now, I will gladly consider the Atos as a run around town type of car. It is light on fuel, fun, cheeky looks and comes quite nice kitted out with equipment.