Hyundai i10 Review

Gumtree Rating

4.0 rating

First released in 2007, the Hyundai i10 is a small city car that’s great for young families. The South Korean manufacturer brought some of the more practical elements of a hatchback body style to the supermini design, creating a versatile compact vehicle. It’s ideal for learners, and as an entry-level vehicle, it offers good value for money improved even further by excellent fuel economy. The i10 has a sharp, sophisticated design, and boasts better technology and features than almost any other car in its price range.

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What we think about the Hyundai i10

The engines may lack power, but the i10 is an affordable vehicle that offers enjoyable handling for an everyday drive – convenient enough for a family car.

Pros

+

Great features and technology

+

Affordable and cheap to run

+

Compact and nimble

Cons

Sluggish acceleration

Poor safety rating

There are four trims available for the five-seater Hyundai i10: SE, SE Connect, Premium and the sportier N Line. You’ll find a 1.0-litre petrol engine on the entry-level models. The i10 scored a mediocre three out of five stars in Euro NCAP safety testing, though it offers good efficiency at 52 mpg.

Driving performance of the Hyundai I10

Our Driving Rating7 / 10

The Hyundai i10 is perfectly comfortable to drive, as long as you’re not looking for a lot of power or speed. A lightweight car designed for nimble city driving, its compact dimensions make it easy to change lanes and pivot around tight bends, as well as allowing it to fit into tight parking spots. It also offers responsive steering and excellent grip, while the firm suspension adds to the fun of the driving experience.

Safety and reliability of the Hyundai I10

Our Safety Rating6 / 10

For a city vehicle that’s built for negotiating heavy traffic and lots of pedestrians and cyclists, the Hyundai i10’s safety rating is quite low. Euro NCAP gave it three out of five stars, which is significantly lower than most modern vehicles, even at a low price point. Adult protection was graded at 69% and pedestrian safety scored 52% – although its 75% score for protection of child passengers is good. A number of advanced safety features are available in the entry-level model, including lane keep assist and autonomous emergency braking, though these scored just 68%.

Under the bonnet of the Hyundai I10

Our Engine Rating7 / 10

The entry-level version of the Hyundai i10 has a small 1.0-litre engine, capable of providing around 66 bhp. It can do 0-60 mph in a very sluggish 14.6 seconds, although its low power shouldn’t be much of a problem for everyday city driving. Slightly better is the 1.2-litre engine, which provides 83 bhp and allows you to hit 60 mph from standing in 12.6 seconds. This is worth investing in if you’re going to be taking the i10 out on longer drives on the motorway.

What you'll find in the Hyundai I10

Our Design Rating8 / 10

The Hyundai i10 doesn’t have the most attention-grabbing aesthetic on the market, but it’s satisfyingly compact and still packs in a decent amount of character into a tiny package. The car is low to the ground, giving it quite a dynamic look for such a small car. Particularly impressive is the front end on newer models, which has a strong, angular look, with sharp headlights and a bold honeycomb-effect grille. There’s also a rear diffuser on the higher-end versions of the i10 for an extra touch of sporty style.

Comfort and interiors in the Hyundai I10

Our Comfort Rating7 / 10

Inside the Hyundai i10, the materials used are mostly plastics, which, although they can look cheap and feel scratchy, are not too hard to the touch. A leather steering wheel is a nice bonus and brings a touch of class to the interior. There’s a minimalist and modern design throughout, including an elegant dashboard. The best part of the interior is its size – there’s definitely enough room for five adult passengers to sit comfortably. Cargo space is also decent with around 252 litres available.

Hyundai i10 interior dashboard

What features you'll find in the Hyundai I10

Our Features Rating8 / 10

There’s a generous set of features in even the most basic version of the Hyundai i10. DAB radio, Bluetooth and adaptive cruise control come as standard. Upgrading will get you the 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, which includes both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for mobile device integration, and mid-range trims also offer rear speakers for the sound system. The most expensive version also offers 16-inch alloy wheels and heated seats, with tinted glass for a hint of luxury.

What fuel efficiency to expect from the Hyundai I10

Our Fuel Consumption Rating8 / 10

Fuel economy is one of the Hyundai i10’s most impressive features and its petrol engines will give you a lot of miles to the gallon. (Unfortunately, there’s no diesel option available). The entry-level 1-litre engine can provide as much as 56 mpg, with relatively low CO2 emissions of 114 g/km. This figure drops to 52 mpg for the 1.2-litre engine (or 49.6 mpg with the automatic transmission), which is still excellent, and the CO2 emissions on this larger engine are around 130 g/km.

Running costs of the Hyundai I10

Our Cost Rating9 / 10

Great fuel efficiency means that the Hyundai i10 should be a very cheap car to keep on the road. It’s also very inexpensive to insure due to its relatively small engine options, which is ideal for city drivers. Road tax costs are average for its class. Adding to the i10’s excellent value is the extremely generous warranty package from Hyundai. The manufacturer offers coverage for up to five years, or 10,000 miles, whichever comes first. Only Toyota and Kia can compete with this level of support.

Our verdict of the Hyundai I10

4.0 rating

4 / 5 Gumtree rating

Give this stylish city car a spin if you're looking for a compact and affordable runabout, with good features, great fuel economy and decent handling.