Alright, let’s talk about my Hyundai i10, the 2015 EM-Edition with the 1.0-liter engine, rocking a slick Silver Grey paint job. I’ve been driving this compact beast for quite a while. It has been my choice of car for the daily commute for almost ten years now. We have spent thousands of hours on the freeway together for the thirty-plus km each morning and afternoon, so I feel I have a solid background for reviewing this car. I will be breaking down this car’s design, features, performance, and bang-for-buck value in a no-BS way. Think of this as a system review for a city car, so let’s dive into the ups and downs of the i10 EM-Edition based on my honest opinion.
Design: Compact, clean, and kinda cool
The i10 EM-Edition doesn’t scream “look at me” like some cool supercar, but it’s got a fast-looking shape with its rounded, but still sharp design. Its silver-grey finish is very practical, catching the light without being a fingerprint magnet like black or white. The EM-Edition adds some flair with unique 14-inch alloys and a sportier front grille, giving it a bit more edge than the base model. At 3.67 meters long, it’s a featherweight at just over 900 kg—perfect for squeezing into those stupidly small Danish parking spots.
Inside, the cabin’s a pleasant surprise for a budget car. The EM-Edition’s leather steering wheel and gear knob feel great, adding a touch of class to the otherwise plasticky interior. The steering wheel feels grippy and is nicely weighted with blue-colored seems, and the gear knob’s leather material makes shifts a satisfying experience. A very smooth gear shift tops the experience and is a pleasure to perform while driving.
The seats are firm, covered in good-quality fabric, and comfy enough for longer-duration trips.
Visibility’s a win, with big windows and a high driving position that makes you feel like you’re piloting a tiny command center. Especially the rear-view mirrors are something I value since they are large in comparison to cars like the VW Polo, VW Golf, and other small to medium-sized cars. Compared to our Skoda Octavia the mirrors feel much larger, making the daily commute in tight traffic a lot safer.
The dashboard’s no-nonsense, with analog gauges and a basic digital trip computer that gives you fuel range, average consumption, and distance-to-empty. The display in the dashboard is easy to read in all lighting conditions and the blue-led backlight in the different knobs and dials look great at night. You can easily adjust the lighting level, so the light is present at night, but in a subtle way so it doesn’t distract your attention from the road.
It’s a clean, compact package with a few premium touches in the EM-Edition. For a car in this segment, the design looks nice and modern. The rounded and sporty look makes this car express self-confidence like it is saying “Come on, let’s have some fun”!
Features: Basic, but surprisingly usable
For a small modern city car, my i10 feature set is like a solid mid-tier gadget—does the job without overloading you with features that are nice to have but not essential.
The boot’s a standout: 252 liters of cargo space is massive for this class. Flip down the 60:40 rear seats, and you’ve got over 1,000 liters—enough for a tech haul or a weekend getaway. The load floor is near-flat, which is a nice touch for sliding in bulky gear. At one time I managed to get two full-size pallets into the boot. That feat was quite impressive and I had to show the picture to my local Hyundai mechanic at the next service appointment.
Cabin space is great for a car of this size. I’m 180 cm, and I’ve got headroom and legroom to spare. Two kids in the backseat is no problem, just keep in mind that the car is not suited for duration rides.
Storage’s on point—door pockets, a glovebox, and a center tray keep my phone, keys, and the essential commuting goodies neatly at hand.
My version of the car throws in the electric opening of front and rear windows, air conditioning, and a Bluetooth audio system, which works just fine for streaming podcasts or taking calls. Pairing my phone was no hassle, and once it’s synced, it works smoothly.
The stereo’s basic—four speakers, USB, AUX, and a CD player (who still uses those?). There is in this version of the car no color display or infotainment system installed. It is a basic car radio with a monochrome display. Sound quality is fine for streaming music from your phone, but don’t expect a surround-sound experience. The lack of a deep base makes the sound a little thin, especially at higher volumes.
I have a basic holder for my iPhone that sits in the slot for the CD player. It works just fine and having an “entertainment system” like that ensures that everything you are used to having on your phone is readily available in the the car.
The i10 EM-Edition’s got enough tech to keep you happy for the daily commutes, with basic, but still usable connectivity. The sound system is basic but gets the jobs done. So if you keep your expectations in check this little cheap running car will happily be your daily driver on a tight budget.
Performance: Fun to drive and fast enough for the Highway
The i10’s 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine pumps out 66 horsepower and 94 Nm of torque. That might not seem like a lot of power, but because the car is light it is enough for most people. You will not get the performance of a racing car, but if you work the gears and put the gas pedal to the floor, you will be surprised to see this little car being quite fast and agile. In the city, it’s surprisingly nippy. The five-speed manual gearbox is crisp, making it easy to flick through gears in traffic.
With a 10.7-meter turning circle, this thing pivots quite easily, perfect for U-turns or dodging rogue cyclists. It weighs almost nothing in the car world, so it feels agile, with pleasant servo-assisted steering making turns a breeze.
On the open road, the i10 feels lively and fun. Its little engine easily pushes past 90 km/h, reaching 100 km/h in a “quick” 16,8 seconds. Overtaking trucks on the E20 is possible, but not something that happens at light-speed. Motorway noise is not that bad for a small car —wind and tires stay relatively quiet, so podcasts are clear without blasting the volume. The EM-Edition’s 14-inch wheels work just fine, and the firm suspension handles potholes well while keeping corners engaging. It’s nimble and a joy to drive in town.
The fuel economy is excellent. Hyundai claims 25 km/l, but I’m getting around 20 km/l in mixed driving—city, highway, and some spirited moments. Start-stop tech helps in traffic, and the air-con doesn’t hurt efficiency much.
The i10 is a champ in urban environments—light, agile, and fun to chuck around. But where it shines is at the gas pump. The mileage you get out of this car is great if you like me use it primarily on the highway. Stick to the city, and steady driving on the highway and you got yourself a nice cheap-to-drive car.
Reliability and costs: Built like a tank and very affordable
Hyundai’s five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty offers the kind of comprehensive, worry-free coverage you’d expect from a leading car manufacturer with a reputation for reliability. My i10 has been absolutely dependable—no mechanical failures, no mysterious error codes popping up. It has simply been a matter of routine maintenance: oil changes, replacing filters, and swapping out tires every few years as needed. It’s a car that truly embodies hassle-free ownership.
Running costs are delightfully low, making the i10 a great choice for budget-conscious drivers. Insurance premiums are incredibly affordable, thanks to its classification in one of the lowest-tier groups. Denmark’s eco-friendly green tax system is also kind to the i10, given its impressively low CO2 emissions of just 108 g/km. Servicing the car couldn’t be easier—Hyundai’s service costs are very reasonable, and I’ve never faced any unexpected or exorbitant repair bills. Parts are widely available and won’t break the bank, so there’s no stress about potential repair expenses down the line.
This car’s a workhorse with minimal maintenance and low running costs. Hyundai’s warranty and build quality are top-notch.
Service and clutch replacement: Like driving a brand-new i10
After clocking 132,000 km on the original factory clutch, I recently took my trusty 2015 Hyundai i10 EM-Edition in for a full service, including an oil change and a new clutch. Let me tell you, it’s like I’m driving a brand-new car! The old clutch was starting to feel heavy and sluggish, but the new one is buttery smooth and so much lighter, making gear shifts an absolute joy again.
The engine purrs with fresh oil, and the whole car feels revitalized—responsive, crisp, and ready to tackle my daily 30+ km commute with renewed vigor. What really impressed me was the professionalism at the workshop. They provided a detailed video walkthrough of my car, showing it from below while explaining what needed attention—clutch, brakes, you name it. Their clear recommendations and transparent approach made the whole experience reassuring and trustworthy.
My tweaks that make this great car even better
Soundproofing
To minimize the engine noise I have installed soundproofing material on the inside of the bonnet. The results is much better than I had expected and a very simple-to-do improvement. All the small sounds from the engine have disappeared and on the freeway while running at steady 110 km/h, the engine is almost inaudible. Only wind and tire noise are heard, but the engine is very silent. That was not the case before installing the soundproofing in the bonnet.
The procedure was actually quite easy. Just use a scissor to cut the sound proofing materials into the shapes as the inside of the bonnet. Clean the inside of the bonnet with household gasoline and let it dry off. Then peel off the paper covering the adhesive and press it into the bonnet. Seal the ends of the soundproofing tile with aluminium tape, to keep the inside of the bonnet fireproof and moisture out.
The installation was done in an hour and the materials (soundproofing tiles and aluminum tape) were about 75$.
All-season tires
In our family, we rely on Goodyear’s Four-Season tires for all our driving needs. These tires are outstanding throughout the year, offering reliable performance regardless of the season. They excel particularly well in the challenging Nordic conditions, providing excellent traction and stability, especially during the autumn and winter months when the roads can be unpredictable. Additionally, they are reasonably priced, making them a cost-effective choice.
On top of that, they are durable and long-lasting, maintaining their quality for an extended period before the treads wear down and it’s time for a replacement.
Shell V-Power vs. regular gas – Turbocharge the little bastard
My Hyundai i10 has a small 1.0L non-turbo engine with 3 cylinders, about 66 hp. I noticed more power and faster acceleration with Shell V-Power gasoline compared to regular gasoline. The i10’s engine is designed for 95 RON, so V-Power’s higher boost performance might be from V-Power’s additives eg. detergents, corrosion inhibitors, and friction modifiers. These keep the fuel injectors, intake valves, and combustion chamber cleaner, improving fuel spray and air-fuel mixture. Shell says V-Power reduces deposits by up to 80%, so perhaps the cleaner components result in better combustion efficiency, which I feel has sharper throttle response and stronger low-end torque.
V-Power may also have slightly higher energy content, increasing cylinder pressure during combustion. In a light car like the i10, even small gains of 1-2 hp feel noticeable, especially at 2000-4000 RPM during acceleration. Fuel economy might also be improved by 1-3%, but V-Power costs 10-20% more (~€5-7 extra for a 35L tank). So it is up to you if you will pay a little more for more performance and fuel efficiency. I think the extra cost is worth wile because the car feels a lot snappier and it runs a little longer on a full tank.
The choice of wisdom
Living with a small, affordable, old car makes you reflect on why so many modern men keep chasing every new thing that comes along, in a never-ending pursuit of fleeting wants and desires. A chase that only leads to mental and financial struggle, but never fills the hole inside that demands more and more like a little child pleading for candy.
Diogenes of Sinope would see a small, cheap car as a wise choice. He rejected luxury, status, and material excess, valuing simplicity and self-sufficiency instead. A modest car serves a clear purpose—transport—without vanity or waste. To him, choosing function over prestige was a mark of wisdom, not poverty.
Having the mindset of gratitude towards what you have and training your mind to truly appreciate features like having a leather steering wheel, leather gear shifter, and LED lighting in the buttons at night, you learn your mind to be satisfied with what you have.
In a world that often values flashy displays of wealth, opting for a small, inexpensive old car reflects a quiet masculinity and stoic mindset. It’s a choice to step away from the pressure to show off, focusing instead on self-reliance and restraint. A simple, reliable car that is easy to maintain with a bit of know-how, prioritize function over appearance, letting a man take pride in the discipline to demand less. Such a car is affordable, keeping costs low and freeing up resources for what truly matters—be it family, personal goals, or meaningful experiences.
The scratches and quirks of an old car are marks of character, embraced as part of a life well-lived, aligning with a stoic’s acceptance of imperfection. There’s a subtle strength in this understated choice, moving through life with purpose and confidence, unbothered by the need for attention. Driving an old car isn’t just smart—it’s a nod to authenticity and disciplined values, quietly proving that less can be more.
Final Verdict: An affordable car that delivers!
My Hyundai i10 2015 EM-Edition is like a trusty budget laptop—it’s not winning any benchmark tests, but it handles daily tasks like a pro. The Silver Grey paint and small nuggets of luxury like leather details give it some personality, and the 1.0-liter engine’s fine for urban commutes. It’s got an acceptable boot, decent tech, and running costs that won’t make your wallet cry. Sure, it’s a little underpowered on highways, but for city life and the daily commute, it’s a solid pick.
It’s not trying to be a Tesla or a BMW—it’s a affordable, reliable tool for getting around. For people aware of the finacial trap an expensive car can be, this car’s a winner. It’s not superfast on the highway, but for urban techies on a budget, it’s a smart buy.