Test drive Hyundai i10: small winner
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Test drive Hyundai i10: small winner

Test drive Hyundai i10: small winner

The I10 is an impressive testament to the potential of Korean automakers.

It is no coincidence that the real material begins with these seemingly high-sounding words. Because with the new i10 Hyundai, the manufacturer's ambitions are not just promises, but real facts. The relentless scoring criteria in motor-sport comparison tests are extremely strong evidence of how good a model is compared to its direct competitors on the market. In recent years, Hyundai and Kia cars have naturally been getting better and better in these comparisons, but it was the Hyundai i10 that was the model that not only performed well, but also beat almost all of its rivals in the small city car class. Not most, but all! The i10 even managed to beat the VW Up class tests by several points (as did its cousin Skoda Citigo), and then the new editions of Fiat Panda, Citroen C1 and Renault Twingo. This is an extremely strong recognition for the Koreans from Hyundai - for the first time, the company's model manages to beat all the serious players in the class. Apparently, the brand's team carefully read the homework when creating a baby with a length of 3,67 meters.

Small on the outside, spacious on the inside

Although a bit late, the Bulgarian auto motor und sport team was also able to meet the Hyundai i10, and now we will briefly present our impressions of it. In fact, the more one spends with this little model, the clearer it becomes why it manages to overcome even well-known names in its class. Because this time, Hyundai has bet on a German-style, but ruthless strategy - to create a car that does not allow serious flaws. Indeed, the truth is that in this segment it is naive to expect technological miracles or design masterpieces - in the Hyundai i10 class, functionality, economy, convenience in everyday life and affordable price are important, but without any compromise in terms of safety. And, if possible, with decent comfort and sufficient dynamics in terms of purpose. Well, the i10 can't afford to miss out on any of those options. The relatively high cabin provides comfortable boarding and disembarkation through four standard doors, there is absolutely enough space inside for a hassle-free journey of four adults. Typically for the class, the trunk is modest, but if necessary, its volume can be easily increased significantly by folding the rear seats. The workmanship is very and even unusually solid for a representative of this price segment. Ergonomics are intuitive and as simple as possible, and the package includes all the necessary "additions" of this category, even in the basic version of the model. The two-tone design of the interior definitely freshens up the atmosphere inside, and the exterior “smooth” body shapes also look good.

More than you expect

Thanks to its compact exterior dimensions and excellent maneuverability, the Hyundai i10 easily handles almost all driving tasks in a big city. Visibility from the driver's seat is also very good in all directions, thanks to both the high seating position and unusually large rear-view mirrors, which are not typical for small-class models. The steering is light, but fairly direct and allows you to precisely point the car around the corner. Of course, no one expects the i10 to behave like a crazy kart, but its behavior is quite nimble and, most importantly, completely safe. Ride comfort is also more than decent for a model with a wheelbase of just 2,38 meters. In fact, safety is one of the criteria by which, unfortunately, many i10 competitors still have unforgivable shortcomings - be it in terms of braking performance, road stability, safety equipment, or the body's ability to protect life. and the health of passengers in the event of an accident. That's why Hyundai deserves applause for its new model, which has no drawbacks in either passive or active safety. Despite its small size, the Hyundai i10 is presented as a mature model in this respect.

Factory Gas Version

For the drive, buyers can choose from two gasoline engines - a liter three-cylinder and 67 hp. or a 1,2-liter four-cylinder engine with 87 hp, the smaller of the two units is also available in a version that is factory-equipped for LPG operation. It was with the gas version that we met at the first meeting with the model - and again we were pleasantly surprised. If a person is looking for more dynamics, this will probably not be the most suitable alternative for him, but from an economic point of view, this model is an absolute hit in the top ten with unbeatable operating costs. Also, the agility of the 1.0 LPG is not to be underestimated – as long as the driver is willing to “turn” the gears of the fine-shifting transmission to higher speeds. However, in everyday life something else is more valuable: the three-cylinder engine is surprisingly quiet and civilized and quite well "takes over" at low revs. But, obviously, this should not surprise us - this car is small and relatively low, but it has a truly mature and balanced character. Character of the winner.

CONCLUSION

The new generation Hyundai i10 is an unusually mature car for the scale of its class. With a spacious and functional body, good visibility from the driver's seat, excellent maneuverability and economical driving, this is a real excellence in the world of urban models. Even more valuable is that the model does not allow for any weaknesses, including those more critical for some parameters of competing models, such as safety and comfort.

Text: Bozhan Boshnakov

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