Sponsored by
SLIDESHOW: See a gallery of pictures of the Hyundai i10 and read Alan Candy's road test report
Keeping an 'i' on value
All those in favour say I. Or in this case, i. And that includes me. For the Hyundai i10 is one of the best value superminis around, in my book.
The high-roofed, chunky five-door hatchback begins at a startlingly low 6,945 and even the flagship model I have been testing, the1.2 Style manual, is only 8,075.
Economy and performance is excellent, with a combined mpg figure of 56.5mph and the Amica's replacement model in the Hyundai line-up has arrived at a perfect time to make its mark in the class, particularly with the ongoing trend towards downsizing.
The i10, the smallest model in the Hyundai range, starts off by being quite a little character in its own right. It's tall yet slightly beefy, with big body sides, a short, sweetly rounded bonnet and a perky presence on the road. There are no styling gimmicks, such as ridiculously large headlamps, yet the i10 is instantly recognisable.
And it does have an awful lot going for it. Yes, it's a four/five-seater (five at a push) and rear legroom isn't up to much. But that's about the only compromise you're going to have to make.
Flexible luggage space, for example, is really useful. Rear seat cushions both fold and tumble forwards to create maximum load floor length and a virtually flat platform, with a useful small lip near the bumper to stop luggage sliding off.
There's the family benefit of easy five-door access and that extra height gives the car a spacious feeling and maximises luggage loading height.
OK, the dashboard and door plastics are mostly hard and hollow, but they are tough quality and do look like they'll last. The i10 also benefits from simple and effective ergonomics that wouldn't puzzle a monkey.
The fascia layout is as simple as they comes, with clear, easy dial readout from the main displays and a centre stack that's dominated by a good quality, user-friendly CD-tuner set-up.
If only more car layouts were as simple to understand. The test car even had the benefit of heated seats – an extra that's almost unheard of in this class of car and such a bonus when the temperature has been down in the minus figures.
But the crowning glory for me is that the i10 is such a simple and rewarding car to drive. The all-new 1.2-litre engine dramatically increases performance, with power up by 18 per cent and torque increased by 20 per cent, without harming emissions.
It also means that all i10as with manual transmissions will fall into the VED band B, with road tax at just 35 per year. In most everyday motoring, the unit is smooth and quiet, with refined power delivery, and even when you ask it some questions in the high rev range, it shows it has some guts and pulls willingly to the red line without strain.
A slick, silent and light five-speed gearbox makes gearchanging a pleasure, brakes have plenty of feel and progression and the light steering is surprisingly involving.
Roadholding and straight-ahead stability is also unexpectedly good, despite the car's tall profile and the i10 hangs on stubbornly through tight bends without complaint, with good grip from the little tyres.
It's good for 70mph on the motorway, too, and is never embarrassed on fast A and B roads, so this is a car for all conditions.
The little Hyundai also manages to overcome the old supermini problem of hard suspension by providing ride quality which is up there with the best in class.
Solid value, charm, reliability and comfort – it's hard really to fault a car at this price and the i10 will certainly be driving Hyundai forward at the budget end of the market this year.
Fast facts:
Hyundai i.10 1.2 Style manual, 8,075 (prices from 6,945).
Powered by four-cylinder, 16V DOHC engine developing 76.7bhp @ 6000rpm.
0-62mph in 12.8 seconds, top speed 102mph.
CO2 emissions 119 g/km.
Fuel economy: Urban 44.8mpg; extra urban 65.7mpg; combined 56.5mpg.
Standard equipment includes air conditioning, 14-inch alloy wheels; front and rear electric windows; remote central locking; integrated audio with RDS radio, CD, MP3, aux port and six speakers; underseat storage tray; keyless entry; height adjustable driver's seat; chrome radiator grille; front foglights; driver and passenger front airbags, side airbags.
All Hyundais come with five-year, unlimited mileage warranty and 10-year anti-perforation warranty.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Bedford
Tuesday 14 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 4 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: North west
