Hyundai i10 review (2008 onwards)

What – Hyundai i10
Where – Kent, UK
Price – £6,495 - £7,895
Available – April 2008
Key rivals – Citroen C1, Peugeot 107, Toyota Aygo, Ford Ka, Kia Picanto, Fiat 500

Summary

the Amica is dead, long live the i10. But can Hyundai's new city car match the i30 and Santa Fe for quality and mainstream appeal?

Likes: Improved looks and interior, price, standard air con, engine, manual gearboxDislikes: Body roll in corners, unsettled ride, susceptibility to side winds

First impressions

The all-new Hyundai i10 costs between £6,495 and £7,895 - and includes air conditioning as standard. It is, we can tell you straight away, a much better car than the Amica it replaces. The entry-level price point may have increased by £483, but top spec cars cost just £133 more, and given the equipment levels it continues to represent excellent value - even before you consider Hyundai's standard five-year, unlimited mileage warranty. But can it live up to the standards set by the company's convincingly mainstream Santa Fe SUV, and well-received i30 family hatchback? Or is it just another budget OAP special?

It may not be as cute as some city car rivals - slightly awkward looking from some angles, there is nothing to help disguise the metal above the rear wheel, for example. But front and rear, the design is both modern, striking, and a very big step on in sophistication from the Amica. It is wider, giving it a less immediately upright stance than before, and also boasts the longest wheelbase in class - so basic practicality remains a virtue. The interior quality is much improved, too, while plans to double sector sales to 10,000 annually prove Hyundai is feeling very confident.

Performance

The i10 comes in Classic, Comfort or Style specification, using an upgraded version of Hyundai's existing 1.1-litre petrol engine. Power and torque improve only slightly - rising to 65bhp (from 62) and 73lb/ft (from 72) respectively; the engineers having concentrating on reducing CO2 emissions to 119g/km on all but the top spec Style. We'll come back to that below. The important thing here is that even with only 65bhp the five-speed manual i10 feels pretty nippy. The official figures - 0-62mph in 15.6 seconds, 95mph top speed - don't really do it justice, and even on the motorway response is just fine.

Match the engine to the four-speed automatic - available on middle ranking Comfort trim, for an additional £800 - and although the slush 'box does its best to drop cogs quickly when you need them, it still requires considerably more forward planning than the manual. Stick to shifting yourself and you will find the high-set lever is as pleasant a way to pick a ratio as any gearbox in any car in this class. It hasn't got the shortest throw, but makes up for this with a positive, clearly gated action - making it hard to accidentally slot the wrong gear in the i10.

Ride and handling

The engine gets vocal at higher rpm, and some rustling wind noise is perceptible at speed - both mostly drowned out by road noise. This is not to say the i10 is especially loud, however, and normal conversation remaining perfectly possible. The ride quality is disappointing, though, especially as much was made of the i10's lengthy wheelbase during the launch. This really ought to make things much smoother than they are, with the i10 seemingly unable to settle over any surface. The car's height means it leans through corners, but the steering is accurate enough, and grip levels well indicated.

Interior

For the money the fit and finish inside the i10 is excellent. Nothing rattles, there are no exposed screw heads, and everything is covered with good quality - if still scratchy feeling - plastic. Much like the outside, the dashboard design isn't exactly gorgeous but it does demonstrate some flair. The standard air conditioning sensibly sticks to the old, tried and tested dial control system, making operation as easy as possible. The instruments are clear and easy to read, while alongside the speedo you will find a rev counter is fitted to every model. The CD-stereo is also intuitive to use.

Putting the press conference on MP3 CD demonstrated the stereo's compatibility, while an auxiliary socket is included for standalone MP3 players. There are electric windows on every model, too, and visibility is good all the way around. Four airbags come as standard, and while five adults will never be comfortable in the i10 there are five three-point seatbelts, and enough legroom for four on short journeys. The boot is easily big enough for a small family at 258 litres. Wheels are 14-inch steels on Classic, 14-inch alloys on Comfort, and 15-inch alloys on Style - which also gets a boot spoiler.

Economy and safety

119g/km in Classic and Comfort means an annual road tax bill of just £35, no London Congestion Charge, and only 10% company car tax liability. CO2 emissions rise to 124g/km for the Style, and 139g/km for the Comfort Auto. Fuel economy is 56.5mpg combined for Classic and Comfort, 54.3mpg Style, and 48.7mpg Auto. Disc brakes are fitted all round - not always the case in this class - and ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution is standard. Less impressive is a pronounced susceptibility to side winds, and that the auto doesn't have to be in Park before you can take the key out.

The MSN Cars verdict: 4/5

The i10 is an eminently sensible city car. It looks good, is packed with equipment, and provides an impressive amount of space for this class - not to mention its value orientated pricing, excellent warranty, and green friendliness. If the driving experience was just a little more grown up it could be a real star. But the useful gearbox and engine combo can't quite make up for the ride quality and cornering lean. However, even if practicality and value are not your most pressing concerns, the i10 is absolutely worth a look, and should bring plenty of new customers to the brand.Hyundai i10

Ratings out of five: Hyundai i10
Performance***
Ride & handling***
Interior****
Safety***
Price*****
Practicality****
Fuel economy***
MSN Cars verdict****

Need to know
Petrol engine 1.1-litre, four-cylinder
Power (bhp)65

Torque (lb/ft)73

0-62 (secs)15.6-18.5

Top speed (mph) 90-95
Combined mpg48.7-56.5
CO2/tax119-139/10-15

Driven: Fiat Panda
Driven: Ford Ka
Driven: Toyota Aygo