Hyundai Amica road tests and consumer car reviews

Hyundai Amica si 2002

Bought the Amica to replace a Corsa. Have used the car on trips of 500 miles each way and 250 miles with no problems. I have found that oil usage, however, is high on such trips, otherwise very pleased with vehicle.

Hyundai Amica 2009

Bought it from new, this is my 4th Hyundai (all new) and I love them. Previously had 2 accents and a coupe (best car ever). Have never needed any warranty work done on any until now (engine warning light has come on) so will be phoning the delaer tomorrow. I did try 2 brand new vauxhall corsa but had so much warranty works on them that it sent me back to Hyundai. Now, I wouldn’t buy anything but a Hyundai. Amica is cheap to run, ideal in the city - you can squeeze in parking spaces where others can’t! It’s okay on the motorway too - can get a bit wiggly with side winds but youjust have to slow down, I drive 100 miles to work each day with 90% of which is motorway, If you’re thinking of buying one just get yourself down to the dealer - best thing I ever did.

Hyundai Amica 1.0 2001

I like the car as it is a good drive but recently the check engline light has come on and I have checked all the levels of fluid and there is nothing wrong there but it seems to be in the morning when starting up and in the rain that it gets really sluggish and jolty and feels like it will stall. Does anyone have any ideas it would be perfect if not for this?????

Responses to this review

Hi, I have exactly this same problem with my breaks and some noise. Sometimes my car goes like yours, is snapping like it’s without petrol and I have some lights on, which no one knows how to switch off. I hate this car!! - Aneta Orzech from Carmarthenshire

The check engine light will usually be indicating an ignition fault probably caused by damp getting into the ignition system. The jolts you are experiencing are most likely mis-firing and you are driving on only a few cylinders resulting in the interrupted power delivery. If you are mechnically confident it would be worth taking the spark plugs out, checking the spacing and also the seals around the plug tube. You can get water displacement spray to stop water getting in from most outlets such as Halfords for around £5. If you’re not technically minded, ask someone who is to do it for you as you’re out of warranty and its not worth paying someone to do such a simple job. If the engine runs smoothly after that, the light shoudl turn itself off after a few runs. If it doesn’t sort it then its time to ask a mechanic - Matthew A from Northamptonshire

Matthew A is absolutely correct. Your problem is damp on the ignition. Your engine is only firing on three cylinders giving all the symptoms. A can of WD40 or Damp Start will solve your problem. The Check Engine light will go out as soon as all plugs are firing. As he says, taking the plugs out, giving them a clean and checking the gap is also a good idea - Howard P from Yorkshire

Hi, I have this car, the problem may be caused by the ignition coil. My car is 8 years old with 35k miles and the iginition coil had melted. Have a look, it is only a £70 part and it fixed my car instantly - R Fleming from England

Hyundai Amica gsi 2008

I’m having problems with the brakes. I have had new brake pads fitted by Kwik-Fit in March but still getting some scraping and squealing. They say it is dust getting into them but surely all these cars can’t be like this? Does anyone have any problems with this?

Responses to this review

Dear Rosemary, Contact KWIKFIT head office and ask to speak to the Area Manager. Explain the circumstances and that you wish for the problem to be rectified asap. If the symptoms were not evident before the replacement disc pads were fitted, there is an issue. Usually on inspection of recently fitted replaced disc pads, which have squealing or rubbing sounds the following is found. 1. Poorly fitted pads without copper slip to their backing surfaces. 2. Missing anti- rattle tension springs. 3. The disc surfaces were not cleaned. 4. Binding or sticking Caliper Pistons. KWIKFIT make a big statement on their highly trained personnel, specifically in the area of brake servicing. Sadly visit their facilities and often you will find they are lacking in cleanliness and order. This reflects in the quality of service. All work undertaken however is covered by warranty - Robert Erskine from Middlesex

Hyundai Amica 2008

I got my Amica six months ago and love it. I have covered nine and a half thousand miles - that’s how much I love it - so does my partner and my small dog Candy. So, I would recommend them - thanks for reading my review.

Hyundai Amica GSI 2001

I have had my Amica for 18 months now and wouldn’t swap it for the world! I down-sized from a much bigger car and it was the best thing I have ever done! She is a dream to drive and as well as being ideal for commuting to and from work takes me on a 300 mile round trip on the motor way every month also. The best investment I have ever made!!

Hyundai Amica 2008

I have not had this car long but I will recommend buying one. I have been driving Vauxhalls for over 8 years and they are all good motors but the Hyundai Amica is far better on motorways, more economical, brakes better and easier on tyres. I have fitted remote locking and have done between 400 and 500 miles all in one day with no problem.

Hyundai Amica GSI 2006

I have had this car for 18 months and on the whole I have been delighted with it. It is economical to run, suprisingly roomy inside with 4 door access and can carry a reasonable load with the rear seats folded. The 1.1 engine is nippy and although very much a ’city car’ can move on the motorway. Even the narrow width has it’s advantages when passing on narrow country lanes or city streets. Negative points are poor resistance to side winds on the motorway, a reverse gear that sometimes is sticky and the fact that the front tyres wear fairly badly. So far no breakdowns have occured.

Responses to this review

I have same problems with front tyres only lasting 4000 miles. I have had the car from new and I will be having my third set of front tyres in 3 years . Any comments from Amica owners or if your have had the same problems please post on this site - Chris from Vale of Glamorgan

Get the cars tracking done, with 4 people in it this helps spread the load and makes the tracking better and you get more life out off the tyres - William Provan from Scotland

Despite having had tracking done at each time tyres have been replaced, our Amica is now 30 months old 26,000 miles and we have just put the third replacement pair of front tyres on. Back tyres are still good! Has been suggested that there might be a suspension/steering issue that needs resolving - David Butterworth from Durham

Hyundai Amica 1.1 CDX 5dr

My husband bought this car purely because I needed something to take my children to school in and get around locally. It’s very cheap to run and I really like the good visibility, however, I don’t think I’d ever want to take it on the motorway, the handling isn’t very smooth, and I tend to wait until weekends when I can use my husbands car if I need to go any distance. Fine if you need something to tootle around in.