Hyundai i10 Review 2024

Hyundai i10 At A Glance

4/5
Honest John Overall Rating
It is not the small car bargain it once was, but the Hyundai i10 retains its good old fashioned mix of value and comfort.

+Excellent 1.0 MPi petrol engine, low running costs, comfortable at motorway speeds, will easily carry four adults, lots of active safety kit fitted as standard.

-Not as good to drive as the Volkswagen Up. Crude automated manual transmission.

On average it achieves 0% of the official MPG figure

All versions of the Hyundai i10 are easy to drive, cheap to run and backed by a comprehensive five year unlimited mileage warranty. The Hyundai i10 is also bigger than the average city car, meaning more interior space and a bigger boot. But what makes it stand out is its blend of comfort and handling. True, the i10 might not be quite as much fun to drive as the Volkswagen Up, but the i10 makes a compelling case for the best city car on the market. Read our Hyundai i10 review to find out more. 

At face value, the Hyundai i10 sits at the higher end of city car prices, when compared models such as the Volkswagen Up, Toyota Aygo and Peugeot 108. Mid-spec models with a couple of optional extras easily exceed £14,000.

But you do at least get a lot for your money with the Hyundai i10, both in terms of space and equipment. In fact, it can easily be seen as a cheaper alternative to cars like the Ford Fiesta.

That’s because in terms of size, the Hyundai i10 sits between the traditional city car and the class above. And this means much better interior space than most city cars and a bigger boot too. In fact, the interior is a real highlight on the Hyundai i10. Yes there are the usual hard plastics but it doesn’t feel cheap and the design is both attractive and simple to use. 

As with previous generations of the Hyundai i10, this latest version is petrol-only. From launch, buyers get the choice of two engines: a 1.0-litre MPi three-cylinder with 67PS and 96Nm torque, as well as a 1.2-litre MPi four-cylinder with 84PS and 118Nm torque. 

The best, by far, is the 1.0 MPi: it has lots of low-gear acceleration and is reasonably hushed on the motorway. Advertised fuel economy is 58.8mpg. We think this is the model to go for and it’s ideally suited to zipping around town thanks to the fact it’s a three-cylinder engine. 

While it would make a great first car, Hyundai is open about the fact that the i10's market is predominately made up of the over 40s. Hence why its set-up is very much geared for comfort. The ride quality is smooth, the steering is light and all of the controls are easy to use. 

The handling is not as rewarding as the Volkswagen Up, but it's a big improvement on previous generations of the i10. The motor driven steering system is light at low-speeds, but firms up once you hit 50mph so you get a good feel for grip and road conditions. 

The main blot on the Hyundai i10's report card is the crude and clunky five-gear automated manual transmission - a replacement for the traditional auto gearbox used in the old model. You’re better off sticking to the manual.

Standard equipment levels are very good and there are no basic models in the line-up. The entry-level SE model has a leather trimmed steering wheel, DAB audio, air conditioning and a height adjustable driver's seat. Although you do have to suffer steel wheels.

The i10 also gets a comprehensive array of safety tech as standard, which includes high beam assist, cruise control, lane keep assist, autonomous emergency braking, speed limit warning and a system that will tell the driver to pull over and take a break if it detects tiredness.  

The third-generation i10 is easily Hyundai's best small car to date. Drivers who want a bit more fun will be better suited with the rewarding Volkswagen Up, while those wanting a cheaper alternative will look no further than the Kia Picanto and its seven-year-warranty. However, for if you want a refined, comfortable and affordable small car, the latest Hyundai i10 will not disappoint.

Looking for a second opinion? Why not read heycar's Hyundai i10 review.

Ask Honest John

What's the best small automatic car to buy with the lowest insurance rating?

"What's the best small automatic car to buy with the lowest insurance rating. My insurer no longer insure my Toyota Auris Hybrid Automatic (my present car) because they say that particular model is an insurance risk. So I'm thinking of changing my car because the insurance quotes I'm getting from other insurance companies are exorbitant."
Most drivers have seen their insurance prices hiked this year, with companies blaming an increase in claims following the pandemic, as well as rising parts prices and parts supply issues. Toyota Auris Hybrids such as yours are particularly prone to catalytic converter theft, which might explain why your current insurer refuses to insure your car. We'd recommend replacing your Auris with a small automatic city car such as a Kia Picanto or Hyundai i10. Also consider small electric cars such as the Peugeot e-208 or Fiat 500 Electric - but do shop around for quotes first.
Answered by Andrew Brady

What's the best small automatic car for a new driver?

"What cars would you recommend for a new driver that needs an automatic?"
We would suggest looking at cars like the Toyota Aygo and Peugeot 108, both of which are cheap to insure and tax, and are available with automatic gearboxes. Also look at the excellent Kia Picanto and Hyundai i10.
Answered by David Ross

My Hyundai i10 sounds like a diesel - is this normal?

"Is it normal for the engine to sound more like a diesel than petrol engine?"
Your Hyundai i10 has a three cylinder engine, rather than a four cylinder engine that is more commonplace in petrol cars. This may be why your engine sounds a little unusual from previous petrol cars you may have owned. However, if the engine is making a clattering sound and is excessively noisy, it may be worth taking it to your dealer for an inspection just to be sure it is working as it should.
Answered by David Ross

I need a small automatic car for a new driver - what would you suggest?

"I need a small automatic car for a new driver, for £10,000 or less. What would you suggest?"
The biggest issue for new drivers tends to be insurance costs, but typically small automatics tend to have larger engines than their manual counterparts which can push premiums up a little. We would suggest the Hyundai i10 or Kia Picanto, both of which are available with a 1.2-litre engine and an automatic gearbox, although you may have to hunt around a little to find them as they tend not to be as popular in automatic form. However they are both excellent choices with low running costs and are ideal for a new driver.
Answered by David Ross
More Questions

What does a Hyundai i10 cost?