ON THE ROAD: HYUNDAI i10

Does the i10 replace the Atos?

No. At least not yet. The Hyundai i10 essentially fits between the Atos and the Getz. Hyundai has adopted a new naming system for their vehicles and the i10 is the smallest of the range. Soon we’ll see a new i20 and i30 as well. At some point we may see the i10 completely replace the Atos range just like the Toyota Yaris has replaced the old Tazz.

It’s kind of cute.

I love its look. Very compact, although it is a five-door it is very small. Small doesn’t mean space-compromised though because the i10 can sit five adults and load some groceries and/ or a mid-sized bag in the boot.

Small cars tend to be fun to drive. Is this one fun?

The i10 is not very powerful I must say. As you can see in the stats the takeoff is spirited but doesn’t sparkle. I expected as such from a 1.2-litre engine in Gauteng so it was no surprise. But fun doesn’t necessarily equate to power. The i10 is a fabulous-handling little car that one feels like one can just chuck it around. The little gear lever provides excellent grip and can even be described as having sporting ambitions in its feel.

Not a sports car then.

And it wasn’t meant to be at all. The i10 is a little family fun car whose main aim in life is to provide safe modern transportation in a competent package that lots of people can afford. In that respect it delivers because it comes with ABS brakes, driver and passenger air bags. Other safety features include side impact side beams, crumple zones, immobiliser and keyless entry.

What are the standard features?

You get air conditioning, electric windows all-round, radio/CD/MP3 player, 14-inch alloy rims, power steering and fog lights. That’s quite a list for a small car, especially those fogs. For those slightly vain among us a vanity mirror is provided for the passenger side. Exterior side mirrors are only manually adjustable which means leaning over to the passenger’s side to adjust them. Additionally it comes with Hyundai’s ridiculous 5 year/ 150 000km manufacturer’s warranty. There is an optional service plan that kicks in at 15 000km intervals.

And the final verdict is?

Buy.

QUICK STATS

HYUNDAI i10 GLS High Spec

ENGINE: 1.2-litre straight four

POWER: 55kW / 75hp at 6000rpm; 116Nm at 4000rpm

0 – 100KM/H: 15.8 seconds

GEARBOX: 5-speed manual

TOP SPEED: 160km/h

FUEL AVERAGE: 7.6 l/100km

CO2 e: 151 g/km

PRICE: R123 900

NATURAL RIVALS: Kia Picanto, Tata Indica 1.4, Proton Savvy 1.2, Toyota Yaris T1 3-door, Renault Clio 1.2 Va va voom.

*PRICE RIVALS: Peugeot 107 X Line, Kia Picanto EX, Hyundai Getz 1.4, Nissan Micra 1.4, Renault Twingo 1.2

BABE-MAGNETIC FACTOR: Low

*A price rival falls within R20 000 or so of the subject’s price on either side of its price spectrum for cars over R350 000, R10 000 for car of between R250 000 and R350 000 and R5 000 for cars below R250 000.