2008 Hyundai Atos Prime 1.1 GLS Comfort Full Review,Start Up, Engine, and In Depth Tour

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Filmed by: Tomaž Kožar Jesenice

Packaged under different names in different countries (Santro, Atoz, Amica), the 2008 Hyundai Atos remains a popular city car due to its small footprint and even smaller turning radius. This five-door boxy hatch was designed to maneuver into the tiniest of parking spaces. At only 140 inches in length (349.5 cm), the 2008 Atos nevertheless fits four people in two rows. The straight-up shape means plenty of headroom, even with a sportier redesign that added a bit of slope and a rear spoiler to the roofline. Elbow room is another matter, however, since the 2008 Atos remains taller than it is wide.

As the smallest car in the Hyundai lineup, the 2008 Atos performs admirably around town. Its 1.1-liter I4 engine delivers around 62-hp and can hit top speeds of 90 mph (145 km/h). City and highway fuel economy averages around 35/50 mpg. The front-wheel drive subcompact comes in various trims in its various incarnations around the world, but base models start simply -- air conditioning, power steering, and power front windows, but no radio, no ABS brakes, and no airbags. These get added up the line, though the airbags are limited to driver only. The tiny 13-inch wheels not only look like they belong on a clown car, but some say they are inadequate on slick roads.

In its lifespan, the Atos has earned top marks in terms of the job for which it was built. Drivers say it is pretty zippy around the city, thanks to a lightweight body and light steering. Gas mileage, ease of parking, and the low price are other big draws. Low marks go to poor brakes, bad road grip in wet conditions, a slushy gearbox, and a noisy ride.Apparently named after the A To Z map book youll need to navigate large cities, the Atoz is a city car par excellence. But then so, it could be argued, are any number of other tiny cars from both Asia and Europe. Why buy a used Atoz? Firstly, you may need ultimate utility five doors, acceptable interior space and the narrowness thats handy in the urban sprawl. Secondly, you may want something that faintly resembles a car in appearance, unlike the extreme eggbox shapes of the Suzuki Wagon R+ or Daihatsu Move.

If this is the case, a used Atoz makes a good bet. If the styling is still somewhat too sit-up-and-beg for your liking, the newer but mechanically similar Hyundai Amica may fit the bill. For a growing number of British customers however, the Atoz has been the answer to their particular requirements. Powered by a willing 1.

0-litre powertrain, the Atoz is not as hopeless as one might expect on the open road, although free-flowing motorways are not its forte. Still, if you place yourself in the middle of any big UK city and consider how many miles youd need to drive before the Atoz felt a bit exposed in this respect, youd appreciate the logic in searching down a decent used one.

With the Atoz you get a small, rather high rise, but nonetheless quite attractive little city car. Theres not a great deal to choose between the base model and the Atoz+ bar specification differences. The Atoz+ gets an airbag, alloy wheels, air conditioning, central locking and electric front windows. For equipment, practicality and on pricing, it beats a Fiat Seicento or SEAT Arosa hands down.

The Atoz Midas special edition is worth a look, coming equipped with gold mica paintwork, a CD player, rear spoiler, unique alloy wheels and body-coloured bumpers, side mouldings and tailgate handle. Its worth pointing out at this point one item that you dont get with the Atoz and thats ABS. In wet conditions the brakes easily overcome the modest grip afforded by the tiny tyres. Whilst its not dangerous per se, it is something thats worth bearing in mind if youve only ever driven ABS-equipped cars.

Prices for the Atoz start at around £2,000 for a 1998 R registered base model. Add £200 for semi automatic versions and a further £100 for the three-speed auto. The Atoz+ starts at £2,150 for the manual on the same 1998 R plate, price differentials being similar for semi auto and full auto options. A 1999 T registered Atoz Midas special edition is worth £2,400 against an equivalent £2,300 for the Atoz+ on which it is based.

Insurance for the Atoz range is predictably cheap. The base models and Atoz+ fall into group 2, while the Midas edition soars into group 3.

As you may well expect, not a great deal goes wrong with the Atoz. It has one of the better 1.0-litre engines and dealers report that reliability to date has been excellent. As with any small city car check for parking bumps and scrapes, especially as the Atoz may well have been purchased as a first car after passing the driving test.