Skip advert
Advertisement

Hyundai i10 hatchback (2014-2019)

"The Hyundai i10 is a superb city car, with neat looks, plenty of interior space and minimal running costs"

Carbuyer Rating

3.4 out of 5

Owners Rating

4.4 out of 5

Read owner reviews

Pros

  • Very comfortable
  • Spacious interior
  • Fun to drive

Cons

  • Lack of badge appeal
  • No diesel engine available
  • Interior quality poor in places

The Hyundai i10 is one of the strongest offerings in the city-car class and counts other impressive models like the Skoda Citigo, SEAT Mii, Volkswagen up! and Toyota Aygo as its rivals.

The i10 was given a makeover in 2017 to help maintain its good reputation; changes included a new front bumper and alterations to the suspension to make the ride more comfortable.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Best reliable small cars on sale now

The engines available have remained the same, so buyers still choose from 1.0- or 1.2-litre petrols. Our recommendation is the 1.2-litre, as the extra power it delivers makes the i10 a better all-rounder. City cars aren’t intended for the kind of driving that makes diesel engines desirable, but the official economy figure of 51.4mpg for the 1.2-litre is quite thirsty for a city car.

The i10 won our Best City Car award in 2015; it’s nippy and agile to drive, and practical for such a small car, too, but it's now been replaced by a newer model that's even better.

Hyundai has equipped all i10 models with a decent amount of standard kit. The entry-level S model (only offered with the 1.0-litre engine) has electric front windows, 60:40 split-folding rear seats and USB connectivity, which isn’t bad for a basic city car. Moving up to the SE model brings air-conditioning, cruise control, Bluetooth and DAB radio, and these are extras worth having if you can afford the £1,300 extra cost.

A black interior is standard on the car, but if you fancy brightening things up, Hyundai offers the option to switch to red or blue at no extra cost. You also have the option to pay for a safety upgrade, which brings lane-departure warning and forward collision warning systems.

Inevitably, the higher-spec i10 models look like less of a bargain, because they cost more, but the more luxurious extras included, such as the seven-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, are appealing.

The Hyundai i10 finished 82nd out of the 100 cars ranked in our 2019 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey of cars currently on sale in the UK. However, the fact it only scored four out of five stars in Euro NCAP crash tests will be a result Hyundai will be hoping improves with the next-generation i10.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Richard is a former editor of Carbuyer, as well as sister site DrivingElectric.com, and he's now Deputy Editor at Auto Express. Having spent a decade working in the automotive industry, he understands exactly what makes new car buyers tick.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

The best cheap cars in 2024
Best cheap cars
Best cars
27 Nov 2024

The best cheap cars in 2024

Hyundai i10 review - tech-filled and practical small car
hyundai i10 facelift
In-depth reviews
13 May 2024

Hyundai i10 review - tech-filled and practical small car

Top 10 best first cars for new drivers 2024
The best first cars 2023
Best cars
17 Apr 2024

Top 10 best first cars for new drivers 2024

Top 10 best used small cars 2024
The best used small cars hero 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best used small cars 2024

Most Popular

New Honda Prelude coming in 2026 with hybrid tech and simulated gear shifts
Honda Prelude front quarter
News
17 Dec 2024

New Honda Prelude coming in 2026 with hybrid tech and simulated gear shifts

Ford Capri review – a comfortable, well-built EV
Ford Capri UK front quarter cruising
In-depth reviews
20 Dec 2024

Ford Capri review – a comfortable, well-built EV

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
20 Dec 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
21 Oct 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024