Hyundai i10 Review
Published: 1st June 2008
Hyundai i10
On top of this, Style replaces the 14-inch alloys with 15-inch, the front seats gain heating; there’s a metallic grain on the centre console, a rear roof spoiler and an electric sunroof. Furthermore, they all come with Hyundai’s 5-year, unlimited mileage warranty, which is not to be sniffed at.
The interior is tastefully done. Particular attention has been paid to the quality of the materials used for the fascia and the way in which the controls and instruments are laid out. The integrated audio system, at the top of the centre stack blends in to the fascia and has little buttons, which is unusual for a car of this ilk. Below it, the centre console houses the comfort controls - three dials in raised bumps, it also accommodates a small cubby hole before narrowing around the high-level gear selector. The curvy, instrument pod sits in the traditional position, behind the steering wheel and contains easily-read dials.
The driver’s seat in the Classic isn’t height-adjustable and the steering column is rake-adjustable only. I would have liked some reach adjustment and an intermittent setting for the wipers, but then you can’t have everything. Nonetheless, it is easy to find a comfortable driving position that remained so even after an enforced, three hours behind the wheel.
The i10 is blessed with a long wheelbase, which makes life nicer for the three rear passengers. That said, adults travelling in the back, would be advised to bag the seat behind the shortest person, for extra comfort, while the rear doors make it easy to get in and out.
Some of the length is given over to luggage space. The boot is surprisingly spacious for such a small car, offering some 258-litres capacity and even more if advantage is taken of the 60:40 split and fold rear seats, which, incidentally, don’t fold completely flat but good enough for most eventualities.
The long wheelbase is also key to the ride and handling. While speed bumps require a little caution, which, of course, is their purpose, the suspension is firm but good. The chassis and suspension systems have been designed for city streets and to cope with the many potholes therein.
