I have been a regular reader of mouthshut.com and I have read almost all the reviews in the small car segment. My sincere thanks to all the contributers of this forum.
Actually I started my first new car search 8 months back and almost zero down to Hyundai Santro. Once I heard the news that Hyundai is coming up with new version I just postpond my car purchase until its arrival. I think my waiting paid me off.
Here is my views on i10.
*Look
I did like the design of the car. Compared to Santro, WagonR, Indica, Spark the design is sleek. I think hyundai copied the front design from Honda and kept the back as it is from its old model ATOZ. Look wise i10 beats all its competitors.
*Interiors & Comfort
I would say interior is the best in class. Quality plastics has been added to its interior. The Dual tone interior is really cool. The legspace on the driver seat is good. I would rate the space in the front is next to Tata indica. But to my height(160cm) it is more than sufficient.
I felt the rear space is better than Santro. To give you an idea, If you push the front seat back to the maximum position a normal person can accomodate to the "fit". It is not so conjusted and it is not more spacious.
The dashboard looks really cool. Comes with digital clock. The speedometer look is upgraded and gives much bright reading at night. i10 comes with digital odometer and 2 trip meter.
Adjustable Head rest: This is not available in i10. Some of the reviews pointed out this as a disadvantage. But I didnt find. It was ok for me. Probably my driving posture doesnt require it.
Steering: i10 comes with Motorised Power Steering(I understand it is similar to EPS). The control is much better compared to other vehicles in the class. Sure you wont find parking is a task. i10 magna comes with "Tilted steering" option. It is first in its class and I love it . It makes you to sit comfort infront of the steering.
Gear Box: Definetely Hyundai has done pretty good job to bring the performance of its gear box up. It is mounted in the centerconsole which helps you to get space between the driver and co passenger. If you are used to position the driver seat to "back" while driving then you may find little difficult to engage gear. The smoothness of the gear box has considerably gone up compared to santro but not reached Getz or Maruthi level. Still work needs to be done. Engine vibration can be felt in Gear Knobs but far better than santro
Dead Pedal: I think Hyundai must add the dead pedal which is missing and I felt it is "missing". This definetely leads to rest my leg on clutch. May be my milage is not upto the mark because of this.
Boot Space: Yes it is less compared to santro but I found it is decent for a small family and who makes occational long trip. If you are one among them you dont need to worry.
Rear Boot opening: Most of the reviews mentioned that remote boot opening is missing and mentioned one of its cons. If you are the one particular about remote boot opening then I would recommend you to go for Magna model. It comes with 5 door center locking. Open from the inside all doors get opened / closed. It serves the purpose
Others: Tubeless tyres is an added advantage. The design of doors which helps you to rest your arms is wonderful.
Hyundai has designed the space for stero / music system to fit its company fitted music system which is available only in Magna option model. So if you are fixing audio system of your choice it looks bit Odd.
Since the gear box is moved to centerconsole the space is utilized for cup holders. If you have the habit of eating/drinking(soft drinks pls) you will love it.
Riding*comfort & Engine
My experience with i10: AMAZING.
City ride: No frequent gear shift is required. Thanks to its torque. Car moves smoothly in the city traffic. You can move comfortably in "Delhi traffic" with third gear on.
High way: Superb ride on high way. Very much sturdy. You wont feel that you are riding on 120Km/hr. The car is a cruise in highway. When a high speed car / truck crosses, I usually feel my car is little shaking which I didnt find in i10. I was able to zoom with no probs.
Sitting comfort:
I would say seating comfort has been drastically improved from santro. You wont exprience the bumpy ride in i10.
Engine:
I dont have much knowledge about Engine. But the engine gave me a good response during overtaking and never felt like "i am struggling". But I did find it is bit noisy at higher speeds. At the same time when the engine is idle I didnt feel it is running and try to start then realized that engine is running:)
Visibility:
The design of front glass/front body gives a clear view in normal riding.
I found the visibility in side a bit difficult during street bends . I am not sure whether it is because of pillar. But I am still finding it difficult to see during "L" Bend or sometimes during parking. Any tips for this?
(Pls see Part 2 and Part 3 in the comment section located just below this review)