HYUNDAI I10 HATCHBACK READER REVIEWS

My car

This, my second I10, is a better all round proposition than the 1.2 Classic Mark 1 that preceeded it. Fit, finish, paintwork and equipment is much improved. Although economy isn't brilliant (38-45mpg after 3000 miles), the engine is smoother and quieter than the non-VVT equipped motor previously. Power and torque are improved and delivery is more consistent with fewer flat spots. As with my previous model, visibility is excellent, tax is even cheaper and the car cruises well on the motorway and is perky enough round town. A retrograde step is the move from disks to drum brakes on the rear wheels. The car doesn't stop as well but rear wheels remain clean, which saves valeting time. Overall, there is room for improvement but this is one of the cheapest cars on the market to buy and run and provides a decent all round package.

My car

I bought this car in October and have done nearly 1000 miles so far. I have 3 children aged 6,10 and 12, and a 6'3" husband and we can all fit in this car comfortably. The equipment level is amazing with air con, 4 electric windows, alloys, fogs,and remote central locking plus I can control my ipod via the stereo controls now that I have spent £15 on a special cable. I think the car looks really dinky, sporty and cute in white. The dashboard plastics and seat material seem very cheap, but they do appear to be tough, which is really more important, as I hope to eventually pass this car onto my eldest when he learns to drive in 5 or 6 years. The gear change is easy with a well placed gear stick, and the steering is lite. Its perfect for my commute to work and back. The boot is small, but OK for about 4 shopping bags, and on a big shop with the kids I can put the split fold rear seat down flat for extra boot space while still seating 4. Road tax of £20 is fabulous, and fuel economy seems decent so far, though fingers crossed it will improve with more miles. I seem to get 300 miles on a £35 full tank round town. Finally, I'm glad to have a spare wheel rather than a repair kit like my husbands s-max. Having paid £7500 for this car brand new, I can't see any real competition for it. We looked at the C1, Panda and 500 and all seat only 4 and can't touch it on kit. This is a great car for the money.

My car

I've just sold this car after nearly 3 years of ownership, so I've got to know it quite well! The equipment level is really good for this class of car, particularly at the price, though the cabin is a little like being cocooned in hard black plastic. I don't like the wheels - those alloys are impossible to keep clean with their narrow slots. The ride is a little jittery too, and it's impossible to pull away smoothly with the juddery clutch, although I heard there was a fix for that and it only occurs on the earliest versions of the 1.2. My car also had a wheel bearing failure at 8000 miles - not good, Hyundai, though obviously it was fixed under warranty. The headlamp adjusters whirr constantly behind the dash which is clearly a fault, but I never bothered to get it fixed. Oh - and the aux-in socket has intermittant loss of contact, so I couldn't play my MP3 player through the audio. Anyway, faults aside the car was quite good fun to drive and the 1.2 engine is nippy for suburban driving, although it will run out of legs when you accelerate to motorway speeds. The latest facelifted version (mine was a 58 plate) is much better looking and holds its own amongst any of the European competitors. And while we're on the subject of the competition - where else would you buy a car this much fun, this well equipped, and with a 5 year warranty? OK, Kia....

My car

Just recently purchased a facelifted version of the I10 Classic in Metallic Grey for £6995. Wht a cracking little car.

High quality build, very comfortable seats and a reassuring warranty. But what really amazes me about this car is the way it drives. I honestly believe that if BMW built a city car they would have problems matching this cars prowess. Steering, gearchange and brakes all top draw, rides beautifully too. But its the engine that really seals the deal here its so eager and full of life its a real hoot every day.

Having looked around all the other Hyundai`s in the showroom i think this is a bit special by comparison, they all left me a bit cold. The I10 IS A GENIUS SMALL CAR.