The Hyundai i10 could be a good choice for fresh graduate or those parents that want to get their kid the first car, but with its size and price that start from RM53k - RM57k, further burden with the emergence of Perodua Axia and Proton Iriz, and the better specifications twin brother, the Kia Picanto, the i10 is really hanging tough in its segment. Unless you are a crazy fan of the brand, the i10 might not make much sense anymore and has totally lost its competitiveness. A basic small car should always be priced below RM50k, or even better, below RM40k if at all possible. But, all the protection and tax incentive given to sustain our local brands, and the world is fill with profit hungry businessmen that would want to reap all they could from consumer, most have forgotten such segment should focus on volume, but not for the niche only.
Using the same engine as the Kia Picanto, this 1.25-litre Kappa engine is capable of producing 86hp/120Nm of power, mated to a 4-speed gearbox. The i10 is also available with the older generation Epsilon 1.1-litre engine, which is only good for 68hp/99Nm, and without CVVT. One could wonder why Hyundai is taking the trouble to stock 2 engines choice where the price difference is only RM4k? I would think our local distributor has committed too many of the Epsilon stock and might be taking them years to clear them of their warehouse. If you compare to the Picanto engine arrangement, it is also weird that both does not look similar, which could be because the i10 was designed to fit the Epsilon initially. The final truth is, the i10 available here is an older model now, where a refresh model has already been available since 2013 in other market. Years ago, it also took awhile for the Atos to be replaced with i10 here!
At time, it is also weird that the Hyundai i10 is badged as Inokom, but the steering wheel remain using Hyundai logo. Why can't Inokom update that as well, to make it a wholly OEM product. Remember when Naza rebadged some of their product, everything was changed to NAZA badge instead. We used to have Naza Ria from the Kia Carnival, Naza Sutera from the Hafei Lobo, Naza Suria from Kia Picanto. Perhaps Inokom has not gain enough branding to gain popularity, thus would like to retain it as Hyundai is some form to make the car sell more.
If you really want a foreign name small car, and has enough budget for it, try looking at Kia Picanto instead. The i10 is equipped with only 2 airbags with ABS, where the Picanto is fully loaded with 6 airbags, ABS and Traction control. If you insist on a Hyundai...wait for the new i10, not this one, unless they slash the price to below RM40k.
If you really want a foreign name small car, and has enough budget for it, try looking at Kia Picanto instead. The i10 is equipped with only 2 airbags with ABS, where the Picanto is fully loaded with 6 airbags, ABS and Traction control. If you insist on a Hyundai...wait for the new i10, not this one, unless they slash the price to below RM40k.
