• Hyundai i10 trumpets its (city) street cred

    by  • April 9, 2014 • Car Reviews, Test Drives

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    2014 Hyundai i10 exterior right front dynamic

    The New Generation Hyundai i10 is wider, lower and longer than the outgoing model

    The demands on a city car are generally straightforward – it needs to be affordable, peppy on urban roads, easy to handle and easy to park. The new Hyundai i10 is all of those, and more.

    While the new model is still not the prettiest of cars, it is much better looking than its narrower and boxier predecessor.

    Our five-door test car was an unusual Baby Elephant grey/blue colour, which didn’t do it justice – although my neighbour, herself a city car driver, liked what she saw and popped in for a look. There are more attractive colours available – I think the Pure White is quite fetching.

    However, with the Baby Elephant we did get a complementary funky blue interior, which gave the cabin a modern, youthful feel.

    Inside, there’s lots of space for four adults (three children would fit comfortably in the back), with good legroom in the front and adequate adult leg- and headroom in the back. The seats are also comfortable.

    2014 Hyundai i10 interior cockpit

    The cabin in the Hyundai i10 is well laid out and functional

    The boot, deep rather than wide, can fit quite a lot more than you’d expect and the rear seats can be folded to increase boot size – although there is a deep boot lip to contend with.

    There are also lots of cubbies scattered throughout the cabin, and I liked the moulded bottle holders on the door bins, which perfectly hold upright a 1-litre bottle.

    In the driver’s seat, I found it easy to find a comfortable driving position.

    The dials on the instrument panel are large and easy to see and the infotainment unit was simple to use.

    Our mid-level Deluxe test car was well specced, with electric windows all round, USB, Bluetooth, two 12V sockets, central locking, keyless entry, tyre pressure monitoring system, LEDs and cornering lights as standard.

    The review model was fitted with manual air conditioning, which I wasn’t a fan of as I find it difficult to regulate.

    The Hyundai i10 is a city car so it’s no surprise that it’s very much at home in an urban setting.

    The five-speed manual model glided along city streets, was smooth on the road and nippy where you needed it at ‘fast getaway’ roundabouts. Visibility was great all round and light steering made it easy to manoeuver.

    2014 Hyundai i10 interior boot

    The boot in the Hyundai i10 is deep rather than wide

    I couldn’t get over how easy it was to park. While the i10 doesn’t feel like a small car when you’re in it, you have oodles of room in an average sized perpendicular parking space.

    On the motorway, it took its time getting to 120kph but it didn’t have any problem when it got there and it felt confident and sturdy at this speed. I think soundproofing in the cabin could be better though.

    Cruise control isn’t standard on the Deluxe model but I would recommend it.

    I am a city driver and I enjoyed the Hyundai i10. It’s comfortable, spacious, well specced, handles well and is fun to drive. In short, it’s well worth a look.

    Three trim levels are available in the New Generation Hyundai i10 – Classic, Deluxe and Premium (also available in automatic).

    Prices start from €11,995. Prices for the Deluxe model I was driving start from €13,495. It also comes with a five year unlimited mileage warranty.

    Tech Spec
    Engine: 1.0-litre 65bhp (petrol)
    Acceleration: 0-100kph in 14.9seconds
    Maximum Speed: 155kph
    CO2 emissions: 108g/km
    Combined fuel economy: 4.7l/100km
    Annual road tax: €190

    Visit the Hyundai Ireland website or its Facebook page for further details.