Car Reviews

Honest John Reviews Hyundai

Hyundai i10 (2014 – 2019) Review

2023 Hyundai i10 1.0 MPi SE Connect 5dr Auto Hyundai i10
1.0 MPi SE Connect 5dr Auto
£15,495
View Hyundai i10 cars for sale

Hyundai i10 (2014 – 2019) At A Glance

4/5
Honest John Overall Rating
A brilliant executed city car that offers superb value for money, the Hyundai i10 can easily mix it with the Toyota Aygo and Volkswagen Up.

+Stylish, good quality interior. Roomier and more mature than its predecessor. Refined for a small car and decent to drive.

-Auto gearbox undergeared for motorways. No driver’s seat height adjustment on base trim.

Insurance Groups are between 1–7
On average it achieves 81% of the official MPG figure

The i10 of 2014 was an important milestone in Hyundai’s transition from value brand to one that sells on desirability. This city car retained all of the strengths normally associated with the Korean firm, while adding style, cabin appeal and equipment to tempt buyers away from their comfort zone of the Citroen C1, its sister car the Toyota Aygo and the undeniably solid Volkswagen Up. That makes the Hyundai i10 a very serious contender for used buyers now. Read on for our full Hyundai i10 review.

The original Hyundai i10 proved a big hit, with its practical nature and excellent value for money ticking a lot of boxes for UK buyers.

But Hyundai isn’t a company to rest on its laurels and for the second-generation model in 2014, it started with a clean sheet of paper. In the process, the firm focused on a number of key areas, in particular refinement and quality.

It was a huge step change from its predecessor. That’s something we’ve now become accustomed to from Hyundai, yet the rate of improvement felt astonishing at the time.

The Hyundai i10 is certainly a handsome hatchback, with neat lines and a far less boxy look than its predecessor. Yet there is plenty of room inside, with especially impressive space in the back and a decent boot that’s bigger than that of the Hyundai i10 that went before.

The interior is another highlight – it’s easily one of the best in this class of the era, with a good-quality feel, no exposed metals and no visible screwheads. From behind the steering wheel, it’s hard to believe you’re in a city car.

What the Hyundai i10 does so well is get the basics right: it’s well built, good to drive and has a quality interior. Throw in two great engines, manual or auto gearboxes, plus impressive refinement and you’ve got a winner on your hands.

After that, the rest pretty much takes care of itself. True, it may not have the cool factor of the Fiat 500 or the image of the Volkswagen Up, but in our opinion the smart money in this part of the used market would go on the Hyundai i10. It’s genuinely a great little car.

If you’re looking for the newer version, you need our Hyundai i10 2023 review.

What do owners think of the Hyundai i10 (2014 – 2019)? Check out our Owners' Reviews from people who live with the car day in, day out.

Reviews for Hyundai i10 (2014 – 2019)'s top 3 rivals

Kia Picanto
4/5
Great value. High quality, neatly designed interior. Good to drive.
Volkswagen Up
3/5
Funky little city car. Cheap to run with low CO2. Lively and fun to drive. Large enough for four adults....
Toyota Aygo
3/5
Plenty of kit as standard. Quirky looks. Very reliable.

Ask Honest John

I'm looking at buying a car with an MoT advisory - should I be worried?

"I am thinking of buying a 2014 Hyundai i10. The MoT advisories for 2018/19 say ‘engine covers and undertrays fitted’, otherwise nothing else major. Have they been added by previous owner to conceal something or are they meant to be there? Should it put me off buying it?"
The majority of cars built in the last 20 years have undertrays fitted from the factory in order to improve aerodynamics, so this is a completely normal occurrence. The MoT test is for the most part a visual inspection, so this comment is sometimes added by MoT testers to indicate that there are areas of the vehicle that have not been examined and cannot be vouched for. If you are concerned you could asking a knowledgeable friend to examine the car more closely or consider paying for a vehicle inspection.
Answered by David Ross

What's the best car for a new driver?

"My grandson,17,has just passed his driving test and is looking for a first car. Can you advise on which models to choose based on reliability and insurance costs? His maximum budget is £5-6K."
A Hyundai i10 or Kia Picanto with the frugal 1.0-litre petrol engine would be a good choice. It's also worth looking at slightly bigger cars like the Hyundai i20 - sometimes they're cheaper to insure, so get some insurance quotes first. We'd also recommend a Toyota Aygo.
Answered by Andrew Brady

What's a good first car for my daughter?

"My daughter has decided to buy a car. She lives in a seaside town where parking is at a premium. She needs a car that is small reliable and can get her about her town and about Cornwall where she lives. She has bought a Fiat Panda 2012 plate and it has already broken down twice and needs substantial work (so they say) I think she has bought a lemon what advice would you give her? . "
There might be potential on the Fiat Panda yet. All used cars usually need a little work doing to them... once this has been carried out, there could be plenty of life left in it. It's worth seeking a second opinion from another garage. If your daughter wishes to replace the Panda, we'd recommend looking at a Hyundai i10 or Kia Picanto. Both are great little cars that represent good value for money on the used market. Ideally, look for one being sold with as much history as possible - a genuine private seller is the Holy Grail.
Answered by Andrew Brady

What's the best small car for up to £9000?

"What is the best solution for my needs. I spend the summer in England and would like a smallish car for that period. Price range £8000 to £9000. I will only do about 1500 miles in that time. I realise it is not good to leave a car standing for a 6 month period my need is for convenience. Any thoughts? "
You say it's not a good idea to leave a car standing for six months but so long as you store it properly and disconnect the battery, or ideally connect a trickle charger, there should be no major problems. A good idea would be to get some axle stands and leave the wheels off the ground while you're away, though, to prevent flat spots on the tyres. When you return to it, check all the fluids carefully before restarting the engine and check the tyre pressures, then drive gently for the first few miles to clear any corrosion off the brake discs. We'd recommend a simple car with a good reliability record for this purpose - a Hyundai i10, Kia Picanto or Toyota Yaris would be a sensible choice.
Answered by Craig Cheetham
More Questions

What does a Hyundai i10 (2014 – 2019) cost?

Find more cars like this

Hyundai i10 for sale

£12,255
2020 Hyundai i10
1.0 MPi SE Connect 5dr Auto
25,052 miles
Marshall Hyundai Hereford
£11,900
2018 Hyundai i10
1.2 Premium SE 5dr Auto
16,686 miles
Hyundai York
£12,018
2021 Hyundai i10
1.0 MPi SE Connect 5dr
15,496 miles
Bristol Street Motors Hyundai Silverlink