Hyundai i10 Pre Model 1.0 Blue 5dr Car Review - February 2012

A small, 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder 998cc petrol engine is the power behind the Hyundai i10. It has a maximum power of 68 bhp and delivers 70 lb-ft of torques at 3500rpm. With these figures, it is fast around town but must be worked really hard to match motorway traffic.

It is faster than its predecessor, reaching 62mph in 14.8 seconds. A top speed of 93 mph is enough to help you keep up with city traffic. Suspension is soft enough to minimize the discomfort of bumps while keeping the ride comfortable. Steering is light and accurate; you will love how easy taking corners and parking is. There is good body control and the 5-speed manual gearbox is quick and precise.

Forward and rear visibility is great, thanks to small pillars. A high level of refinement insulates the cabin from wind and road noise well. The engine is generally smooth but gets a little noisy at high speed.

The Hyundai i10 is a cute, little hatchback with a distinct outline and strong build. It features a modern-design hexagonal grille, remodelled front and rear lights and chunky bumpers. Five doors make interior access easy from all sides. The interior features hard, dark plastics which though not luxurious, do not look cheap.

The Hyundai Blue comes with electronic power steering, central locking, air conditioning, electric front windows, driver airbag, passenger airbags, front side airbags, immobilizer, MP3 connectivity and CD player.

Quite a number of features are missing, even as cost options. These include stability control, electric door mirrors, alarm, alloy wheels and Bluetooth. Only metallic paint is available as a cost option, for £425.

Hyundai is a brand known for durability. This should instil confidence in the car, particularly for first-time Hyundai drivers. The car maker also gives a very good deal on this car: you get a five year, unlimited mileage warranty, which includes roadside assistance and servicing after the initial 10,000 miles and every 12,500 miles hereafter.

But for all the brand’s reliability, a lot of people would have been wary of buying the Hyundai i10 when it does not offer stability control, alarm and deadlocks. However sales have been strong and so far, there are no red flags about this model.

One of the best selling points for the i10 Blue is space. The car is spacious enough to comfortably accommodate four adults. Its high roofline ensures that there is plenty of headroom to keep taller passengers comfortable.

The boot is a good size at 225 litres and can be increased to 910 litres by folding the rear seats. Storage in the cabin is equally good and there is enough room to throw in all your snacks and pouches.

The dashboard has a good design and is neat, with simple controls. Driver’s seat adjustment is not available but the seat is set high enough to provide a good driving position.

The Hyundai i10 is a good investment. Not only is it cheap to buy, it is also cheap to run and has a low depreciation rate. High desirability ensures that the car attracts a good price even as a used car.

The car returns a class leading 67.1mph in combined cycle so fuel costs will be the least of your worries. Carbon emissions average 99g/km and are your ticket to road tax exemption.

Insurance figures look good too, with the car placed under insurance group 9. Its safety and security features, reliability and breakdown cover mean you pay very little in insurance.

Overall, the i10 Blue presents really good value for money.