The Hyundai i10 is a city car produced by the South Korean manufacturer Hyundai since 2007. It replaced the Hyundai Atos in the model line-up, and was initially available only as a five-door hatchback body style. The third generation i10 was unveiled in India on 7 August 2019 and launched on 20 August 2019, offered in 10 variants across petrol and diesel engines as well as manual and automatic transmissions. There are also sedan derivatives, the Hyundai Xcent and the Hyundai Aura.
First generation (PA; 2007)
The first generation i10 was announced on 31 October 2007 in New Delhi, India. It was produced in India at Hyundai's Chennai plant for the domestic and export markets.
In India, it originally had three different variants: D-Lite, Era and Magna with only 1.1L iDREZ engine. Integrated CD music system, Electric sunroof and Remote key are optional only in Magna Variant. In July 2008, Hyundai added two variants Sportz and Asta and an additional engine: 1.2-litre Kappa engine.
In Europe, it has four different versions: Classic, Style, Comfort and Eco Blue Version, with a 1.0 liter engine. All versions come with four airbags, ABS, front electric windows, air conditioning and an RDS radio/CD player. Higher versions have heated front seats, electric sunroof, start-stop system, and, optional, there is ESP.
Background Hyundai started development of the i10 to replace the Hyundai Atos. The development for the concept was codenamed Hyundai PA. The car was targeted primarily at the Indian market and intended for production in India, given the popularity of hatchback subcompacts in the country.
Styling
The i10 has a large air dam, pulled-back headlamps, chrome lined grille, fog lamps, and a rear window with an up swept kink.
The tailgate has a chrome lined boot release handle, and a roof spoiler on the top end versions.
Overall length (3,565 mm) and wheelbase (2,380 mm) are identical to the Atos with slightly more interior space; Ergonomic design was intended to accommodate tall drivers and increasing rear knee room. The width has been increased (and front and rear track) by for more shoulder room. The height has been reduced by . Boot space, at , is significantly lower than that of Getz.
Interior The interior has a plastic dash housing with an optional integrated stereo. The instrument binnacle has a large white faced speedometer, flanked by the tachometer and fuel and temperature gauges.
The gear shifter is built into the center console, leaving space between the front seats for two cup holders.
Facelift
On September 23, 2010, Hyundai revealed a facelift for the i10 in India, making it available for pre-order and then for test drives. On October 17, 2010, the facelifted i10 officially debuted in the Indian market and became available for purchase. Although the facelift was introduced, production of the pre-facelift model did not cease until late October 2010 and continued to be sold in several regions until the end of the year. In other countries, the facelift was released after the end in 2010, mostly in 2011.
Exterior Hyundai introduced a new front end design inspired by the 'Fluidic Sculpture' design language with new, less angled headlights.
The rear tail lamps and bumper were redesigned with new reflectors.
Interior The i10 has a two tone beige and light brown color in certain markets. The interior features chrome and silver accents and a new instrument cluster with a gear shift indicator display (on manual models) and a digital fuel indicator.
Engines
The i10 was launched with a 1.1 liter I4 iRDE engine, the same motor as used in the Kia Picanto and Hyundai Atos Prime/Santro Xing but with lower CO2 emissions. The i10 also came with a 1.2 liter gasoline, Euro 5 compliant engine (called the Kappa engine), with the same CO2 emissions as the 1.1L version. The spark plug of the 1.2L is non-standard. A 1.1-litre, three-cylinder diesel CRDi variant was available in the European and Indian markets.
In 2010 Hyundai launched a facelifted version of the i10 in India which received a Kappa II engine with VTVT Variable valve timing.
i10 Electric
Hyundai unveiled the i10 concept Electric at the 2010 Delhi Auto Expo, which led to the production of the i10-based electric vehicle called BlueOn in South Korea in 2010.
Reception The i10 was recognized as "Car of the Year 2008" by various automotive magazines and television channels in India, like BS Motoring, CNBC-TV18 AutoCar, NDTV Profit Car & Bike India and Overdrive magazine. The car was conferred with the Indian Car of the Year (ICOTY) by automotive media of the country.
In Malaysia, the Hyundai i10 has also earned recognition through awards such as the Best People's Car in the Asian Auto – VCA Auto Industry Awards 2009, 1st Place in Asian Auto-Mudah.my Fuel Efficiency Awards 2009 in the Compact City Cars Category with a combined fuel efficiency of 5.0 L/100 km, which is not only the best performance in its category but also throughout all the participating vehicles in Malaysia.
The Hyundai i10 also won the New Straits Times / Maybank Car of the Year Award in the Entry Level Car category two times consecutively in 2009 and 2010.
In 2008, Hyundai commemorated 10 years of operations in India by initiating a transcontinental drive from Delhi to Paris in two of its i10 Kappa cars. The drive covered a distance of in just 17 days after which the i10s were showcased at the Paris Motor Show in October.
In 2009, the i10 became a popular buy in the United Kingdom during the Government Scrappage Scheme.
In 2013, automotive portal CarDekho awarded Hyundai i10 as 'Most Popular Hatchback' in India.
Safety Euro NCAP test results for a LHD, five door hatchback variant on a registration of 2008:
TestScorePointsOverall:N/AN/AAdult occupant:26Child occupant:37Pedestrian:21Safety assist:N/AN/A
ASEAN NCAP test results for a RHD, 5-door hatchback variant on a 2011 registration:
The amount of safety features varies from market to market. While most countries have the i10 equipped with airbags for all passengers, the entry level 1.1 manual transmission model in the Philippines can be sold without airbags. Since launch and as of August 2009, electronic stability control (ESC) was an order option for United Kingdom spec cars which prevents a five star Euro NCAP score.
India After the success of Hyundai Santro, Hyundai launched the i10 in 2007. The i10 slotted between Santro and Getz (later replaced by i20).
In India, the first generation i10 was available in nine variants, and with two different engine options which is a 1.1L gasoline engine with manual transmission gearbox. This engine produces and maximum torque of . The other engine is a 1.2 L Kappa engine which produces of maximum power and of maximum torque.
Second generation (IA/BA; 2013)
Originally planned for release in the beginning of 2014, the development of the new i10 started in India in 2012, using the Kia Picanto as a test mule for individual parts.
In August 2013, the i10s redesign was revealed by Hyundai's European design team led by Thomas Bürkle. The new car was longer, wider and lower than the previous model. The new dimensions result in a trunk space increase by 10%, totaling to 252 liters. Most versions can seat five occupants.
The new car made its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2013. The i10 arrived in European showrooms in January 2014.
Production of the i10 commenced at Hyundai Assan Otomotiv's plant in İzmit, Turkey, in the end of September 2013, at an annual capacity of 200,000 units.
In addition to the previous generation, its equipment includes, depending on the version, automatic air conditioning, daytime running lights, curtain airbags, Tyre pressure monitoring system, hill-start-assist, and as options – cruise control, rear parking sensors, heated steering wheel and front seats or 15-inch alloy wheels.
Facelift
Grand i10 (BA) Hyundai Motor India released the model in September 2013 as the Grand i10. The Grand i10 differentiates from the European model with its wheelbase increase by . The Grand i10 offers dual toned interiors, enlarged cabin space, keyless entry, push button on/off and auto folding outside mirrors that automatically open and fold when car is unlocked and locked. In addition, the car is equipped with rear AC vents and 1GB internal memory to store music, which are both first in its segment.
In February 2014, Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) announced details on the Philippine market version of the Grand i10. The base models come with the 1.0-liter three cylinder gasoline engine while the 1.2-liter four cylinder engine is reserved for the range topping L automatic transmission model.
In the beginning of 2014, Hyundai released the Grand i10 in Mexico. The car is offered with only the 1.2-liter, four-cylinder engine in the market.
In Colombia a taxi model is sold under the name Hyundai Gran Metro Taxi Hatchback.
In 2019, Hyundai launched a two-seat commercial vehicle in South Africa, called the Hyundai Grand i10 Cargo. It was available in 1.0 Fluid or 1.25 Motion trims and has a load space.
Grand i10X Introduced in 2015 and sold exclusively in Indonesia, the Grand i10X is a crossover-inspired variant of the Grand i10, featuring different front and rear bumpers and black plastic panels for the fender flares, door panels, rocker panels, and two-tone 14-inch alloy wheels.
Xcent/Grand i10 sedan
Prior to the official unveiling of the Grand i10, Hyundai Motor India revealed that a sedan variant will be launched in 2014. The new sedan, called the Xcent, was revealed in February 2014. It is designed to fit in the popular sub-4 metre sedan segment in India which emerged after the government imposed heavier tax for cars longer than in length. It is exported to numerous emerging countries as the Grand i10 sedan.
Reception The European i10 was met with very positive reviews. John McIlroy of What Car? magazine gave the car a five-star rating, commenting that it "represents a major step forward over its predecessor – to the point where it's an extremely tempting alternative to a VW Up, and not just on price." Piers Ward of Top Gear gave the i10 a score of 8 out of 10, with his verdict being: "Yet another quality car from the Koreans. Cheap price, good design and with minimal compromise."
Matt Burt of Autocar gave it four and a half out of five stars, calling it "one of the most accomplished and well-rounded offerings in the city car segment, and has road manners that would embarrass a few much larger (and more expensive) vehicles."
Andrew English of The Daily Telegraph also gave the car four out of five stars, describing it as "Clever and quite a nice little car. Reasonable comfort, ride, handling and well put together, though not the most economical. It's certainly the best car Hyundai makes and wouldn't be disgraced as the family's main transport."
In India, the Grand i10 was awarded the 2014 Golden Steering Wheel in the hatchback category. It was also awarded "Car of the Year" and "Entry Hatchback of the Year" at the 2014 NDTV Car and Bike Awards. In the Philippines, the Grand i10 was awarded Best Mini Car of the Year by the Car Awards Group for 2014–2015.
Powertrain +Specs Model Year Transmission Power Torque 0–100 km/h(0-62 mph)(Official) Top Speed(Official)i10Petrol 1.0L Kappa LPi2013–2019 5–speed manual @ 6,200 rpm @ 3,500 rpm 15.0s 1.0L Kappa MPi5–speed manual4-speed automatic @ 5,500 rpm @ 3,500 rpm 1.25L Kappa MPi @ 6,000 rpm @ 4,000 rpm Grand i10Petrol 1.2L Kappa MPi 2013–2019 5–speed manual4-speed automatic @ 6,000 rpm @ 4,000 rpm Diesel 1.1L U2 CRDi 2013–2019 5–speed manual @ 4,000 rpm @ 1,500–2,750 rpm 15.6s
Safety Global NCAP awarded the Indian market version with no airbags and no ABS 0 stars in 2014.
Latin NCAP awarded the Indian-made i10 in its most basic Latin American market configuration with no airbags and no ABS 0 stars in 2015.