For all the doom and gloom of 2010, one car brand shone extra bright: Hyundai. Post depression and the company is still doing great business, and nowhere is this more obvious than with the little i10. And, just to prove that you can't afford to stand still in this business, Hyundai has given the already successful i10 hatchback a mild refresh in a bid to keep it ahead of the pack.
Cosmetically, the i10 benefits from Hyundai's new family nose. This design theme is already present in our Best Crossover award winner Tucson, and is set to be the norm on all future models. On the mechanical front the car's 1.2-litre petrol motor is now cleaner, more efficient and more powerful. Also, replacing the 1.1-litre unit is a new three-cylinder, 68bhp 1.0-litre Kappa engine.
This forms the basis of Hyundai's eco-centric i10 Blue variant. This high-tech three-cylinder engine achieves an impressive 67.3mpg on the combined cycle and boasts a friendly 99g/km CO2 rating. Even if you don't live in a congestion-taxed area, the 85bhp 1.2-litre unit delivers 61.4mpg and an equally impressive 108g/km CO2 rating. Engine stop-start technology is thrown in for good measure.
The i10 is something of a refreshing surprise in what is an incredibly competitive market. Small cars are everywhere, and small, cheap cars aren't exactly a scarce commodity. What makes the i10 special is Hyundai's decision to treat its mini model as something bigger. You only have to look around the car's cabin to realise that you can leave your hair shirt at home.
You want air conditioning? No problem. Electric front windows? Absolutely. Somewhere to plug in your MP3 player? You bet. Seriously, this is what the i10 is really like — anything but a budget runabout — and it's one of the reasons why buyers flocked to the outgoing model in their droves.
It might appear no larger than most other cars on the market but appearances are deceptive. Five doors are the norm here, yet the i10 is easily able to accommodate four adults. Substitute two of the grown-ups for children and you could even be looking at your first family car. It's no people carrier but there's more space in the cabin and the boot than you expect.
The i10 is also more capable on the road than you might think. Small, inexpensive cars aren't supposed to be up to much — at least that's how it usually works. The little Hyundai is not your usual small car, though. With its direct and accurate steering, supple ride and refined cabin, it would appear that compromise has been ripped out of Hyundai's corporate dictionary.
With its eager hum and refined character, the 1.2-litre i10 is more than capable of keeping up with rush hour traffic and never feels out of place on the highway. Sure, you have to plan ahead on faster roads, but the unit's eager nature makes light work of the point-and-squirt urban environment. There's no question that the engine's added oomph and the slick five-speed manual gearbox help. A four-speed auto is also available for the 1.2 variant.
The i10 Blue isn't far behind, either. Sure, it gets by with less power but the three-pot motor's willingness easily outweighs any on-paper deficiencies. It's surprisingly refined, too. Predictably the i10 Blue is more of a city car than its more powerful four-cylinder cousin, however it never feels out of puff away from the city limits and easily holds its own on the highway.
Verdict
There's no question that the i10 is a good car — it drives well, feels solid and is exceptionally practical for its size. That it comes equipped more like an entry-level family hatch is a bonus, and one that potential customers are now starting to appreciate. Factor in high levels of reliability, plus Hyundai's famed five-year warranty, and it's clear that this i10 is no lightweight.
Specs
Model i10
Engine 1.0-litre three-cylinder
Transmission Five-speed manual, FWD
Max power 68bhp @ 6,200rpm
Max torque NA
Top speed 150kph
0-100kph 14.8sec
Price Dh54,000 (UK)
Plus Loads of room and great equipment levels
Minus No 1.0-litre in the GCC
