Everyone dreams of the day they’ll get the keys to their first car… from the color and seat covers to the trim on the mirrors and the music they’ll play as they take you for your first ride. In the past, if you were lucky enough to receive your first runabout as a gift from your parents, it would probably have been a family ‘heirloom’ or a cheap car found in the ‘cars under R20k’ section of classifieds. But times have changed and for the better. There are more entry-level cars to choose from and with attractive price tags and payment options, they’re also significantly more affordable.
The perfect student vehicle option from Hyundai is, without a doubt, the bold i10. It’s modern, nimble, surprisingly spacious, and packed with a ton of features that will make any owner the envy of their friends.
If you are young, you are up to date and you want a car that matches your style. And the Hyundai i10 does just that. From its color-coded bumpers and integrated side mirror indicators on the outside to its cup holders and LED-illuminated instrument display on the inside, the i10 screams cool. Plus, you can choose from a variety of eye-catching colors like Electric Red and Alpine Blue, as well as classic options like Phantom Black, Carbon Gray and Sleek Silver.
The fact that it is small (just from the outside) makes this Hyundai hatch the best option for first-time drivers. Why? Well, for starters, its modest dimensions and small turning radius make getting into a small parking space a breeze. Power steering also makes it more manoeuvrable, while the height-adjustable driver’s seat helps optimize visibility. The i10 still has enough room for 5 adults though, okay, maybe 4 if they’re on varsity rugby, plus the rear seatback offers a 60/40 split if you need room for larger loads.
Surprisingly, the Hyundai i10 offers most of the comfort and safety specifications you’d expect from a sports hatchback, including air conditioning, front power windows, and a radio/CD/mp3 audio system with steering wheel controls. Model-dependent safety features that will give parents peace of mind include ABS, EBD and multiple airbags.
However, what really makes the Hyundai i10 stand out from the market crowd is affordability. The i10 sells for just over R100k, but that’s not all. The 1.1L petrol engined 5-door hatchback also boasts exceptional fuel economy, allowing it to travel more than 20 km on just 1 liter of fuel.
To sum it up, the i10 offers fun features, a great price, ample space, low fuel costs and great looks… enough to make it the best student car choice? I would say.
