City Car of the Year 2023: Hyundai i10

The Hyundai i10 is the 2023 Auto Express City Car of the Year, with theFiat 500 and Toyota Aygo X commended

• Our choice
• Commended
• New Car Awards 2023: the winners

At a touch under 3.7 metres long, the Hyundai i10 is the smallest winner in our 2023 New Car Awards, but rarely has victory in the City Car class been more significant. With urban streets becoming ever more crowded, and so many buyers trying to trim their bills in any way they can, cars like this become more appealing by the minute.

The i10 is the best of the bunch. An update for 2023 has introduced some cosmetic tweaks, but it also brought in the type of tech you’d expect on much larger, pricier cars. A digital instrument panel and mood lighting make the i10’s cabin feel more special, but most significant is the introduction of new safety systems, such as forward-collision warning that detects both pedestrians and cyclists, speed-limit assist and lane-keep assist.

But gaining this tech hasn’t made the i10 any less enjoyable to drive. It’s a doddle to use in town; light steering, a tiny turning circle and dinky dimensions make it more than just easy to drive – it’s one of the few cars that’s actually fun in such tight spots.

Even so, it’s still grown up and refined enough to take on more open roads. For such a small car, the ride comfort is impressive, while the agile handling lets you make the most of its modest power, from 66bhp three-cylinder petrol to 99bhp N Line.

Whichever i10 you choose, it will be stubbornly reluctant to use much petrol; the 83bhp 1.2 four-cylinder will happily manage 50mpg in everyday driving. If you’re thinking about downsizing your car, then you won’t feel short-changed here.

Our choice

Hyundai i10 1.2 Premium (£17,520)

While the sporty N Line will produce the most smiles, it’s the mid-range 1.2-litre petrol in Premium trim that we like the most. It’s a smooth, revvy unit with enough performance for the open road.

Commended

Fiat 500

A smooth, silent and clean electric powertrain makes perfect sense in a city car, and the Fiat 500 nails the brief better than any other. A mix of excellent efficiency, a competitive range and desirable looks makes it a fabulous choice.

Toyota Aygo X

The Toyota Aygo X proves that even the smallest of cars can have a big personality. Chunky SUV-inspired looks and contrasting paint finishes help to catch the eye, while the efficient three-cylinder petrol engine ensures low running costs.

You’ll find all the information on our New Car Awards 2023 winners and the reasons why we chose them on these pages. Just follow the links below to read more…

New Car Awards 2023: the winners

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Keyword: City Car of the Year 2023: Hyundai i10