Hyundai i10 review – is this the ultimate runabout?

[Dani ♡]

 

Long gone are the days when you bought a Hyundai simply because it was cheap. The Korean brand now builds cars that compete with the best in class, and no model is more competitive in its segment than the i10 city car. Revised for 2017 but offered with the same 1.0- and 1.2-litre petrol engines as before, the i10 continues the formula of offering class-leading space in a car that is also good to drive and now better equipped than ever before. Whether that’s enough to keep it ahead of rivals such as the Volkswagen Up we are about to find out.

The i10 offers more passenger space than any of its rivals. A six-footer will be comfortable enough in the back, even when they’re sitting behind a similar-sized driver, although it’s worth noting that the Blue Drive version of the car has four seatbelts, whereas every other i10 comes with five. The i10 also has a slightly bigger boot than rivals such as the Toyota Aygo and VW Up, so you won’t have to fold fold down the rear seats unless you’re transporting something the size of a suitcase. That said, there’s a large drop down from the edge of the boot to the boot floor, which makes it awkward to load heavy items.

With supportive seats and a slightly raised driving position, it’s easy to get comfortable in the i10, despite there being no reach adjustment in the steering wheel. It’s also worth noting that the most basic S model lacks seat height adjustment. It’s once on the move that the i10 really starts to impress though, thanks to suspension that is good at soaking up bumps and potholes, making it more comfortable than many would expect a small car could be. Both the 1.0- and 1.2-litre engines are quiet, and the i10 is also brilliant at shutting out wind and road noise, which makes it surprisingly capable at doing long journeys.

The i10’s interior features a lot of hard plastics, but because they are nicely textured it doesn’t feel particularly cheap. Opt for the top-spec Premium SE model and you also get a 7-inch touchscreen complete with satnav (with seven years worth of live updates) and full smartphone connectivity in the form of Apple Carplay and Android Auto. All of the i10’s controls are clearly labelled and easy to reach. And cars with front and rear electric windows let you operate every window from the driver’s door - a rarity in car’s of this size.

All-round visibility is excellent, which combined with the i10’s narrow body and light steering make it easy to drive through congested towns and cities. We would though like a bit more feedback through the clutch and accelerator pedals, because as it is stalling the i10 is all too easy to do until you become accustomed to the control weights. Both engines perform well, with the 1.2-litre car unsurprisingly offering slightly faster acceleration and feeling more comfortable on long journeys. It’s also the engine you’ll need to choose if you want the optional automatic gearbox.

Look at its tall, narrow body and it’s hard to imagine how the i10 could be much fun to drive. Sure enough, it’s not as good in this area as a Volkswagen Up, but it still feels very stable, its body resists lean surprisingly well, and the engines are happy to rev. It’s disappointing that the steering is completely devoid of feedback, and can feel overly light once you get up to speed, but otherwise the i10 isn’t at all bad.As with all Hyundais, the i10 comes with an excellent five-year unlimited mileage warranty (including breakdown cover for the same period). A VW Up on the other hand makes do with three years and 60,000 miles worth of cover. However, the brand’s performance in the 2016 JD Power Vehicle Dependability Study was a little disappointing. It finished 18th out of 24 manufacturers, whereas its sister company Kia recorded a third place result.

About average for the city car class Officially the 1.0-litre averages 60.1mpg in standard form and 65.7mpg if you go for the Blue Drive version, while the 1.2 manages 57.6mpg. Mid-40s is more realistic in the real world, though, no matter which i10 you choose. This is comparable with the fuel economy you can get out of other small, petrol-engined cars.

As proof of Hyundai’s ambitions to move upmarket, the i10 is not priced below its main rivals. Nor, though, is it any more expensive to buy or lease, and Hyundai often offers some very good discounts. It will be very cheap to insure, too - particularly if you go for a 1.0-litre version. Speaking of which, we’d recommend the regular 1.0-litre over the Blue Drive, because the Blue Drive’s slightly lower running costs are unlikely to save you enough to make up for its higher list price. Hyundai’s “Click to Buy” web ordering service also removes the need to haggle. You simply order online and collect the car from your local dealership (or even have it delivered to your house).

The i10 scored well for child occupant protection when it was crash tested by independent safety assessors Euro NCAP. However, it still had to settle for a four-star overall rating, whereas the Skoda Citigo and VW Up achieved the maximum five stars. In reaction to this, Hyundai improved the safety specification for the 2017 model by offering lane departure and forward collision warning systems as part of an optional Driver Assist Pack on the top three trim levels. There’s also a stability control system that can help you regain control if the car starts to slide. And unlike most of its rivals, the i10 comes with a tyre-pressure monitoring system.

The i10 range kicks off with the S model, which features electric front windows, remote locking and a USB socket that lets you play your iPod music through the car’s stereo. We’d recommend upgrading to an SE version of the car, though, which adds air-conditioning, DAB radio, electric rear windows, cruise control and electrically adjustable door mirrors. Premium spec adds a dock for your smartphone, tinted windows and LED daytime running lights, while SE Premium adds the 7-inch touchscreen satnav system. SE Blue is based on SE spec but with smaller wheels and only four seats in order to save weight and maximise fuel economy.