Overview
What is it?
It’s Hyundai’s smallest offering in the UK, a little city car that has got plenty to live up to because we loved the last generation version. The latest one comes on an all-new platform (no, it’s not a common chassis shared with the Kia Picanto), as well as sharper looks and a sweet 1.0-litre engine. The old 1.2 motor is still available as well, but with slightly better economy figures now.
Driving
What is it like on the road?
It’s all about quality here – the overriding impression you get from the i10 is one of refinement. This is a city car with a big car feel – wind noise is well-suppressed, the engine note is muted and there’s minimal tyre roar. It’s so good that you wouldn’t think twice about doing a long motorway journey in it. We really mean that.
There isn’t a diesel available in the i10, but the two petrols have got just about enough torque to make decent progress. Our choice would be the 1.0-litre, because the three-cylinder has got more character and feels no slower. One word of warning, though – both engines have long, fuel-saving fifth gears (doing it this way is cheaper than a six-speed gearbox…) so you’ll need to drop it down to fourth on long hills. And don’t try to avoid this with the automatic, because it isn’t very good. At all.
On the inside
Layout, finish and space