2014 Hyundai i10 SE 1.0 66PS petrol manual first drive

The Hyundai i10 has long been a popular and well-received compact city car. It earnt a solid four stars in our original road test, back in 2008, and was a distinguished contender in its sector.Since then, however, the likes of the Volkswagen Up have further raised the bar with regards to quality, comfort and ease of use.

Unperturbed, Hyundai is now returning fire with its “New Generation” i10. It’s more spacious than its predecessor, reputedly more refined and offered with a wide range of equipment. For example, buyers can specify climate control, a heated leather steering wheel, cruise control and Bluetooth connectivity with voice control.

We tested a mid-specification 'SE' model with the entry-level 1.0-litre engine. It costs £9,295, several hundred pounds less than the equivalent Volkswagen Up. Standard kit includes air-con, electric heated mirrors and USB connectivity.

As you’d hope for a small city car, the Hyundai is easy to drive. The engine is smooth and relatively flexible, the controls are light and precise, and it rides in a controlled and composed fashion. It cruises happily at motorway speeds too; the overall feel is of a solid and mature product.

By no means is it the most engaging car to drive, with its steering being in distinct need of a little more weight and feedback, but elements like a delightfully accurate and slick gearshift do endow it with some charm.

Inside you’ll find a spacious and comfortable interior. There's plenty of room for front occupants, with lots of leg and headroom, and myriad useful storage points. The steering wheel doesn't adjust for reach but, during testing, it wasn't difficult to find a comfortable driving position.

There's adequate room for two adults in the back, with enough head and legroom to easily accomodate those up to six-feet tall. If necessary, it can seat three at a push - but they'll most likely only want to entertain short trips. Three rear headrests are fitted, boosting comfort and safety, but there's no centre arm rest.

The Hyundai even sports a decent 252-litre boot, a solitary litre larger than that of the aforementioned Volkswagen, and the rear seats fold to increase space further. A lack of a spare wheel as standard may irk some; if you're venturing afar regularly this may be an issue, so it's worth buying the optional one for £50.

One particularly impressive aspect of the i10 is its high standard of fit and finish. Admittedly some of the plastics in the cabin feel a little harsh, but the overall impression is of a quality product. The switchgear, for example, is pleasingly tactile and well finished. There were no rattles or squeaks apparent either, even on rougher roads.

Hyundai claims that the i10 will average a very reasonable 60.1mpg; during testing we easily returned an indicated 40mpg and it's likely that most will average upwards of 45mpg in day-to-day use. Consequently, thanks to a 40-litre fuel tank, the i10 should travel around a substantial 400 miles on a full tank.

If you're in the market for a practical small car that's easy to live with, the Hyundai i10 should certainly be on your potential candidates list. It's well equipped, comfortable, effortless to drive and surprisingly endearing thanks to its eager engine and solid feel.