Best car

Hyundai i10: the comfortable city car

A great small car for city and country alike, says expert car reviewer Andrew Frankel

Hyundai i10 1.0SE

This model from £9,610

Don’t think that just because a car is small and cheap that precludes it from being quiet and comfortable too. The new Hyundai i10 may not shout about its abilities as loudly as the likes of the excellent VW up! and innovative Renault Twingo, but for those prioritising comfort, it is the pick of the crop.

First, its new 1-litre engine is one of the quietest on the market and, combined with impressively supple suspension, it turns long-distance journeys from the painful experience you might expect, into a genuine pleasure. Crucially, it is also the most spacious car in its class, so four adults can travel in comfort. Add in excellent safety features and a better warranty than any direct rival and the result is a car that’s both easy to live with and a pleasure to drive.

Performance

  • Engine: 998cc, 65bhp
  • Transmission: 5-speed manual
  • Top speed: 96mph
  • 0-60mph acceleration: 14.9sec

Costs

  • Claimed economy: 57.6mpg
  • VED: Group B
  • Insurance Group: 1 (1=low, 50=high)

RAC Drive Verdict

Practicality
3 / 5
Affordability
4 / 5
Safety
4 / 5
Fun
2 / 5