Third-generation city car arrives to dispel the rumours of the class’s demise
Hyundai i10 Premium 1.0 MPI 2020 review
Third-generation city car arrives to dispel the rumours of the class’s demise
What is it?
Both engines are offered with the choice of either five-speed manual or automatic gearboxes. The suspension retains MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam at the rear, while wheels range from 14in on entry-level SE models to new 16in options on top-spec Premium specification examples.
The i10 has also taken a step forward on the inside. The cabin is well laid out, with comfortable seats and decent space: rear passengers will find decent leg room, although squeezing three adults in the back compromises each passenger’s personal space. Still, as with the 252-litre boot, it’s reasonably roomy for a car in this class.
The dashboard is sensibly arranged with a contemporary feel, and the 8in touchscreen – as with the rear-view camera, standard on mid- and higher-spec models – is nicely integrated into the overall design. Top-level Premium cars get heated seats and steering wheel, too; a £1000 tech pack adds a wireless phone charger and real-time traffic updates to the sat-nav. Hyundai has also fitted all three trim levels with plenty of Euro NCAP-pleasing safety kit rarely seen in this class, but compulsory on all new cars sold in Europe from 2021, including autonomous emergency braking and lane-keeping assist.
Both engines are offered with the choice of either five-speed manual or automatic gearboxes. The suspension retains MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam at the rear, while wheels range from 14in on entry-level SE models to new 16in options on top-spec Premium specification examples.
The i10 has also taken a step forward on the inside. The cabin is well laid out, with comfortable seats and decent space: rear passengers will find decent leg room, although squeezing three adults in the back compromises each passenger’s personal space. Still, as with the 252-litre boot, it’s reasonably roomy for a car in this class.
The dashboard is sensibly arranged with a contemporary feel, and the 8in touchscreen – as with the rear-view camera, standard on mid- and higher-spec models – is nicely integrated into the overall design. Top-level Premium cars get heated seats and steering wheel, too; a £1000 tech pack adds a wireless phone charger and real-time traffic updates to the sat-nav. Hyundai has also fitted all three trim levels with plenty of Euro NCAP-pleasing safety kit rarely seen in this class, but compulsory on all new cars sold in Europe from 2021, including autonomous emergency braking and lane-keeping assist.
What's it like?
Thankfully the revitalised look of the i10 is reflected in how it performs, with handling that regains some of the verve of earlier-generation i10s but without losing the maturity and poise of more recent versions.
The steering is well weighted, allowing drivers to revel in the sort of responsive handling you hope for in a small, nimble city car. But it achieves that without feeling fidgety or nervous as some city cars can: in fact, in the driver’s seat, it feels as spacious to sit in and confidence-inspiring to drive as some cars in the supermini class above.
We spent time in i10s powered by both the 1.0 and 1.2 engines, all in top-tier Premium trim, but we’re focusing on the smaller unit since that’s the one Hyundai expects to be the biggest seller in the UK. It won’t require a spoiler alert to reveal that, with just 66bhp, it’s hardly the last word in performance. But while the deficit of power can be felt at motorway speeds or on flowing roads, it’s perfectly fine for the sort of driving regularly undertaken by city cars, with decent response and a largely good availability of power when needed.
The extra power and torque of the 1.2-litre unit is felt and certainly adds some useful poke, although it doesn’t transform the i10 into a pocket rocket (leaving us dreaming of that turbo N-Line version).
Thankfully the revitalised look of the i10 is reflected in how it performs, with handling that regains some of the verve of earlier-generation i10s but without losing the maturity and poise of more recent versions.
The steering is well weighted, allowing drivers to revel in the sort of responsive handling you hope for in a small, nimble city car. But it achieves that without feeling fidgety or nervous as some city cars can: in fact, in the driver’s seat, it feels as spacious to sit in and confidence-inspiring to drive as some cars in the supermini class above.
We spent time in i10s powered by both the 1.0 and 1.2 engines, all in top-tier Premium trim, but we’re focusing on the smaller unit since that’s the one Hyundai expects to be the biggest seller in the UK. It won’t require a spoiler alert to reveal that, with just 66bhp, it’s hardly the last word in performance. But while the deficit of power can be felt at motorway speeds or on flowing roads, it’s perfectly fine for the sort of driving regularly undertaken by city cars, with decent response and a largely good availability of power when needed.
The extra power and torque of the 1.2-litre unit is felt and certainly adds some useful poke, although it doesn’t transform the i10 into a pocket rocket (leaving us dreaming of that turbo N-Line version).
Should I buy one?
Of course, the upgrades to this new i10 come at a price: entry level 1.0 SE models now start from £12,495, rising to £15,495 for top Premium models with the 1.2 engine and automatic ’box. That’s pricing closer to some superminis than city cars.
Most buyers will take one on a PCP deal, though, with the expected monthly payments of around £180 to £210 closer to other city cars.
Regardless, this third-generation model restores the i10 to the top echelons of petrol-engined city car contenders. If that sounds like faint praise given the thinning ranks of the class, it’s not intended to be. While others have been arguing about who killed the city car, Hyundai just went away and built an excellent new one. Not bad for a car that, by rights, shouldn’t exist.
Hyundai i10 Premium 1.0 MPI specification
Where Portugal Price £14,495 On sale now Engine 3 cyls, 998cc, petrol Power 66bhp at 5500rpm Torque 71lb ft at 3650rpm Gearbox 5-spd manual Kerb weight 921kg Top speed 97mph 0-62mph 14.6sec Fuel economy 56.5mpg CO2 101g/km Rivals Volkswagen Up, Kia Picanto
Of course, the upgrades to this new i10 come at a price: entry level 1.0 SE models now start from £12,495, rising to £15,495 for top Premium models with the 1.2 engine and automatic ’box. That’s pricing closer to some superminis than city cars.
Most buyers will take one on a PCP deal, though, with the expected monthly payments of around £180 to £210 closer to other city cars.
Regardless, this third-generation model restores the i10 to the top echelons of petrol-engined city car contenders. If that sounds like faint praise given the thinning ranks of the class, it’s not intended to be. While others have been arguing about who killed the city car, Hyundai just went away and built an excellent new one. Not bad for a car that, by rights, shouldn’t exist.
Hyundai i10 Premium 1.0 MPI specification
Where Portugal Price £14,495 On sale now Engine 3 cyls, 998cc, petrol Power 66bhp at 5500rpm Torque 71lb ft at 3650rpm Gearbox 5-spd manual Kerb weight 921kg Top speed 97mph 0-62mph 14.6sec Fuel economy 56.5mpg CO2 101g/km Rivals Volkswagen Up, Kia Picanto
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