New Hyundai i10 on sale

What's the news?
Hyundai's excellent new i10 is now on sale in Ireland. Anyone interested in the Volkswagen up!-rivalling hatchback can choose from three trim levels and just one engine, the 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol unit (the 1.2-litre four-cylinder offered in other countries won't be available, but that's no bad thing as we think the 1.0-litre is the better powerplant anyway). The 1.0-litre unit makes 66hp at 5,500rpm and 94Nm at 3,500rpm, will achieve 60.1mpg in manual format and bestows the i10 with a 154mk/h top speed and the ability to go from 0-100km/h in 14.9 seconds - respectable enough figures compared to its key competitors.

Excluding delivery and associated charges, the i10 Classic retails at €11,995, the i10 Deluxe at €13,495 and the i10 Deluxe Automatic at €15,495. Hyundai Ireland is confident the new car - which promises 'B-segment value in an A-segment package' - can double i10 sales this year; in order to regain the top spot in its market, the target is to have shifted 500 units by the end of 2014.

With five seats, plus an extra 40mm of legroom and 16mm more shoulder space over the old i10, the new baby Hyundai promises to be one of the most practical cars in its class, while additional peace of mind comes in the form of the manufacturer-backed five-year unlimited mileage warranty.

It's also better-specified than it was before, with ABS (anti-lock brakes), ESP (stability control), an all-passenger seatbelt reminder, power steering and a tyre pressure monitoring system fitted as standard across the range. The Classic gets body-coloured bumpers, tinted glass, central locking, a height-adjustable steering wheel, 60/40 split folding rear seats, a trip computer, 14-inch steel wheels, a day/night rear mirror and driver's side anchor pre-tensioner.

But the Deluxe really delivers on that B-segment kit promise, adding in such luxuries as Bluetooth, air conditioning, electric windows all round, LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) with cornering lights and front fog lamps, USB auxiliary connectivity, keyless entry, electric and heated door mirrors and a height adjustable driver's seat, among other items - plus, the steel wheels are upgraded to alloy rims. That's a very well-specified car for the money.

Anything else?
As well as its economy, the i10 should be reasonably cheap to run thanks to its low emissions. Both the manual models emit 108g/km of CO2, putting them in tax Band A3 - equating to €190 a year road tax. The auto is a little more expensive at €280 a year, thanks to its 137g/km emissions moving it into Band B2.

For up to date news check out CompleteCar.ie

Find Hyundai dealers Used Hyundai for sale