If you’re in the market for a small automatic car, is the i10 worth a look?

When driving in city traffic, it is much more convenient to have your car change the gears for you.  And an automatic car doesn’t have to be big or powerful, or expensive.

Hyundai introduced the i10 as their modern city car in 2008, and saw a facelift in 2011.  With the introduction in May 2014 of the Hyundai Grand i10, as a grander version of the i10, some assumed this would replace i10, when in fact the i10 stays put as the brand’s most affordable new-car entrant.  The 1.1 auto was added to the line-up in April 2014.   

Prices, as at September 2014, start at R 121 500 for the i10 1.1 Motion manual, with the automatic adding R 11 400, which seems quite steep at 10% of the car’s value.  Nevertheless, it is still one of only a handful of automatics cars under the R150k mark.  If you need more power and spec, there are 1.25 engines in Fluid manual or auto, and 1.25 Glide manual, available at, respectively, R 134 500, R 147 900 and R 142 900.

So back to the i10 auto.  When tested when it was new back in 2008, it was all new – has it stood the test of time, considering the arrival of lots of fresh new small cars in 2014?  Well, don’t expect a luxury feeling if you’re spending just over R120k.  The 5-speed manual with the 1.1 engine is adequate around town, thanks in part to the car’s light weight.  However, whatever the reason (be it cost saving, reduced complexity or to save weight and parts) the i10 is a 4-speed automatic.  Acceleration drops from a claimed 15.2 in the manual to 17.1 for the auto… so it won’t be rushed.  Also, although still fairly economical, fuel consumption averages are 4.8 for manual and 5.7 for this auto, achieving over 6.0 on the test cycle due to more accelerator action than in the manual.  Although capable of highway speeds, it is not very comfortable there, so is not ideal for long distances – the 4-speed automaitic makes the little car struggle with a full luggage load, and overtaking needs time.

For the convenience of not having to shift gears, and of simply lifting your foot off the brake pedal to creep forward in dense traffic or when parking, the baby Hyundai makes sense.  The automatic would be much more pleasant if 4-speed could be upgraded to a 5-speed (in this age of mostly 6 to 9-speed automatics) though this is unlikely as the new Grand i10 also uses a 4-speed.

What are the alternative choices?  If you’re in the market for a new small automatic car, also look at (in alphabetical order) Honda Brio, Kia Picanto or Suzuki Splash.

If choosing the Hyundai i10 1.1 Motion auto, which comforts can one expect?  An airconditioner is standard, along with a radio with CD/MP3/USB and aux, Bluetooth hands-free phone connection, audio controls on the steering wheel, electric side mirror adjustment, very light power steering, electric window winders in the front and the back (not always standard especially at this price).  While it does have central locking, it has no remote, so you have to insert and turn the key, the old way.

While it does not have an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) to allow you to prevent brakes locking up and losing steering traction when doing an emergency brake, it does have ventilated front disc brakes (unusual for this size car) and an airbag in the steering wheel.  Indicators on the side mirrors add visibility of your turning signals to other road users.

Generously, Hyundai will deliver all new i10 with a warranty of 5 years and a tall 150 000 kilometres, which includes roadside assistance in case you get stuck.  There is no service plan, so you’ll need to factor in the cost of servicing.

Needing an easy-to-drive car to comfortably get to an appointment without the hassle of gear changes, or to easily commute in congested traffic at a low-budget price, then the Hyundai i10 is fit for the job.