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Hyundai i10 2011 road test report

2011

A mild exterior facelift for Hyundai’s popular city car i10 masks more significant changes under the bonnet. The existing 1.2-litre petrol engine has been revised for greater power, economy and lower emissions, ticking all three boxes for a successful update. The 1.1-litre petrol engine is no more, replaced by a chirpy three-cylinder 1.0-litre engine that ducks under the 100g/km mark to make the i10 the cleanest five-seat car on sale in the UK with such low emissions. Called the Blue, this i10 model comes with Intelligent Stop and Go that also helps it achieve impressive economy while remaining fun to drive.

Road Test Reports Says 3 star rating
A front-facing image of the Hyundai i10 2011

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Image number 2 of the Hyundai i10 2011
ALISDAIR SUTTIE SAYS

Performance Performance - 3 stars

For a three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engine with 68bhp on tap, the new engine for the i10 Blue is a cheeky, zippy little performer. In the same way that many other small capacity three-pot motors are, the i10’s brims with character and sounds much brawnier than it really is. Okay, 0-62mph in 14.8 seconds is not going to blow your socks off, even loosely attached socks, but it’s responsive and hauls the i10 up to the national speed limit with little fuss or the need to thrash it. Quite the opposite, as there’s decent low- and mid-rev shove and the five-speed manual gearbox has well spaced gear ratios to make the most of the engine’s lug. In town, it’s just zippy enough to be fun, while on faster roads it can settle to a middle distance thrum. The standard Intelligent Stop and Go system is unobtrusive, easy to implement into everyday driving and quick to restart the engine, so there’s no excuse for not using it. Hyundai has also uprated the 1.2-litre petrol engine, giving it 85bhp compared to the old motor’s 77bhp. Economy and emissions are also improved, while 0-62mph now takes 12.2 seconds, or 0.6 seconds less than before. In five-speed manual gearbox form, the 1.2-litre i10 is smooth, flexible and a downright decent city car that is also capable of motorway driving with ease. The automatic gearbox takes the edge off performance but is still 0.6 seconds swifter than its predecessor with a 0-62mph time of 13.8 seconds for the updated unit.

Ride & Handling Ride & Handling - 3 stars

There is a small but noticeable difference in the ride comfort of the Blue model versus the others in the i10 range. The Blue comes with 13in steel wheels as standard and they seem to be more easily deterred by potholes and, in particular, sudden wrinkles in the road surface than the 14in wheels fitted to the other i10 models. It’s not a deal breaker, but it’s something to be aware of if comfort comes higher on your list of priorities than outright economy and cleanliness. Even so, the i10 Blue handles with the same amount of grip as the rest of the range. There’s a fair degree of body lean if the driver is in a hurry on a roundabout, but it’s not excessive or worrying to passengers. Next to its rivals, the i10’s steering is light but less full of feel than a Ford Ka’s, but it’s as refined as the class leaders in town and on the motorway. The larger wheels of the other i10 models endow the Hyundai with a more composed ride quality that does a decent job of soaking up surface abuse.

Build Quality & Reliability Build Quality & Reliability - 4 stars

There’s no doubting Hyundai’s ability to make the i10 as rugged and reliable as the very best in the city car field. It’s a proven entity on the mechanical front and the new 1.0-litre engine is closely related to the 1.2, so should be trouble free, as we expect the Stop and Go system to be. Hyundai puts its cars together with care and precision, so the only disappointment is some of the interior plastics are just too hard, unforgiving and basic to feel as top drawer as rivals such as the Fiat 500. Still, there’s a five-year, unlimited mileage warranty included with the i10 just as there is with every other Hyundai, so peace of mind is guaranteed.

Safety & Security Safety & Security - 3 stars

A middling performance for the Hyundai i10 on this front. All models come with twin front and side airbags, but curtain airbags are not even an option. There are also anti-lock brakes with brake force distribution, but ESP traction and stability control is noticeable by its absence from all versions. However, all five seats have three-point seat belts and Isofix child seat mounts are fitted in the rear. An alarm and immobiliser take care of security, while a stereo that is designed into the dash prevents theft, as does a lockable glovebox.

Space & Practicality Space & Practicality - 4 stars

The driving position of the i10 is upright and gives good all-round vision, though comfort is compromised by a steering wheel that only adjusts for angle. A simple dash looks good and the centre console comes out to place the stereo and ventilation dials close to the driver’s left hand. Rear seat space is excellent in the i10 and two adults can easily fit in thanks to the scooped out headlining that allows masses of headroom. At the back, the boot is small but well formed and a practical rectangular shape, though the deep drop from load sill to boot floor can make hefting heavier items in and out harder work than in some rivals. A 60/40 split and fold rear seat back adds to the i10’s versatility and allows longer and larger loads to be accommodated through the wide tailgate.

Ownership & Value Ownership & Value - 4 stars

A five- year, unlimited mileage warranty is very appealing, especially for private buyers, while the revised engines’ improved economy and emissions is good for everyone. The i10 Blue now offers 99g/km and 67.3mpg to buyers, while the updated 1.2 emits 108g/km and manages 61.4mpg with the five-speed manual gearbox. This means the Blue qualifies for free first-year road tax and all models are cheap to insure, service and repair thanks to Hyundai dealers’ affordable rates. Air conditioning, electric front windows, four airbags, CD stereo with USB and MP3 connector are all standard across the i10 range. The Blue comes with Intelligent Stop and Go to save fuel and emissions, while the Classic comes with larger 14in steel wheels over the Blue, though these two are otherwise much the same on the spec front. Go for the mid-spec Active and you get alloy wheels, rear electric windows, remote central locking, a height adjustable driver’s seat and underfloor storage, while the Style version adds heated front seats, chrome detailing to the cabin, an electric sunroof and rear spoiler.

Submitted: 14/02/2011 09:06:38

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