Hyundai i10 Ireland Buyer Guide: Which Generation, Manual or AMT, and What to Check

The Hyundai i10 is one of the easiest small cars to live with in an Irish town: short, light and roomy enough for four adults on short trips. It has been sold here across three generations since 2008, so used buyers can choose from a wide spread of ages and budgets. This Hyundai i10 Ireland buyer guide explains how each generation differs, which engine and gearbox to choose, what the 2020 Euro NCAP result means, how the five-year Hyundai warranty works for a second owner, and the checks to make before you hand over any money. If you already know you want one, you can browse used Hyundai i10 for sale in Ireland on EcoSteer.

Quick Summary

• Three generations: 2008 to 2013, 2014 to 2019 and 2020 onwards. The current car was updated in 2023 and went on sale in Ireland that July.
• Most Irish cars have a small non-turbo petrol engine. The third generation was offered in Europe with a 67 PS 1.0, an 84 PS 1.2 and a 100 PS 1.0 turbo in the N Line.
• Gearbox choice matters: a five-speed manual or a five-speed automated manual (AMT) on the third generation. Test the AMT carefully before you buy.
• Euro NCAP gave the 2020 i10 three stars (69% adult occupant, 75% child occupant).
• Hyundai Ireland's five-year unlimited mileage warranty runs from first registration and passes to the next owner, as long as the servicing conditions are met.
• In November 2026 the i10 does not appear on Hyundai Ireland's new car price list, so the used market is now the main way to buy one.

Hyundai i10 in Ireland: why it is still popular

The i10 is a city car, the smallest segment that most Irish dealers still sell. It sits below the Hyundai i20 in size, which makes it easy to park on a busy main street, yet it has five doors and, in most versions, five seats. Running costs are low because the engines are small and simple, and parts are widely available through the Hyundai dealer network.

It also suits a particular kind of buyer very well: new and returning drivers, second-car households, and anyone whose daily driving is mostly local. If that sounds like you, it is worth comparing the i10 with other small cars from the same brand, so browse used Hyundai cars on EcoSteer to see what is available near you. Our guides to the Suzuki Swift and the Toyota Aygo X cover two rivals worth a look, and the Hyundai i10 model page gives a shorter overview.

Hyundai i10 generations explained

Hyundai says the i10 was launched in Europe in 2008, and the all-new second generation was unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show in 2013. The third generation followed in 2020. Here is how they compare.

Generation	Years in Ireland	Key facts	Buying today
First	2008 to 2013	Hyundai's first i10 for Europe, small petrol engines, five doors	Every car is now over ten years old, so the NCT is annual. Condition matters more than the badge.
Second	2014 to 2019	Developed in Europe. Irish launch in January 2014 with a 66 hp 1.0 three-cylinder petrol, manual or four-speed automatic. Boot 252 litres, 1,046 litres with seats folded.	The sweet spot for many budgets. Look for a full service history.
Third	2020 onwards	Built at Hyundai's plant in Izmit, Turkey. 1.0 and 1.2 petrol, 100 PS N Line in Europe, manual or AMT. 8-inch touchscreen, three-star Euro NCAP (2020).	Younger cars may still have part of the five-year warranty left.
Third, updated	July 2023 onwards	New LED lights, USB-C sockets, 4G eCall, upgraded Smart Sense safety systems	Best equipped i10 and the newest you can buy.

Second generation (2014 to 2019)

When the second-generation i10 went on sale in Ireland in January 2014, CompleteCar.ie reported three versions: Classic, Deluxe and Deluxe Automatic, all with a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine making 66 hp. The automatic was a conventional four-speed unit. Hyundai Ireland also announced a five-year unlimited mileage warranty for the car. The 1.2-litre four-cylinder sold in some other countries was not offered here at launch, so most Irish cars of this age are 1.0 models. Anything advertised as a 1.2 from these years may be an import, which is not a problem in itself but is a reason to check the history carefully.

Third generation (2020 onwards)

Hyundai started building the third-generation i10 at its Izmit plant in Turkey in early 2020, and it went on sale across Europe in February 2020. Hyundai describes it as designed, developed and made in Europe. When CompleteCar.ie tested it in February 2020, the Irish range started at €14,745 when new.

Hyundai's European press kit lists three petrol engines:

• 1.0 MPi three-cylinder: 67 PS and 96.1 Nm, five-speed manual or five-speed AMT
• 1.2 MPi four-cylinder: 84 PS and 117.6 Nm, five-speed manual or five-speed AMT
• 1.0 T-GDi turbo three-cylinder (N Line): 100 PS and 172 Nm, five-speed manual only

Not every version was sold in every market, so check the logbook and the engine size on any car you view. The boot is 252 litres with the rear seats up and 1,050 litres with them folded. Inside, the 8-inch touchscreen supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which makes even a base model feel modern.

The 2023 update

The updated i10 was revealed in February 2023 and, according to CompleteCar.ie, went on sale in Ireland in July 2023. Changes included new LED lights front and rear, new 15-inch alloy wheels, USB-C sockets front and rear, a 4.2-inch colour screen in the instrument cluster and an emergency call system with a built-in 4G connection. Hyundai's Smart Sense package was upgraded with forward collision avoidance that can detect pedestrians and cyclists, lane following assist and a rear occupant alert. If safety technology is a priority, a 2023 or later car is the one to look for.

Which Hyundai i10 engine and gearbox should you buy?

For most Irish drivers the choice is simple: a petrol i10 with a manual gearbox. The 1.0-litre engine is the most common and is fine for town driving and short regional trips. The 1.2 adds a fourth cylinder and more pulling power, which helps if you regularly carry passengers or drive on the motorway. The 100 PS turbo N Line is the quickest i10, but it is rarer and was only offered with a manual gearbox. For more on choosing a petrol car, browse used petrol cars on EcoSteer.

Hyundai i10 automatic: manual or AMT?

The third-generation i10 automatic is an automated manual (AMT), not a conventional automatic or a dual-clutch gearbox. It is a manual gearbox with the clutch and gear changes operated by the car. That keeps costs down, but gear changes are slower and less smooth than in a conventional automatic. In its 2020 review, CompleteCar.ie called the AMT the car's main weakness and advised buyers to choose it only if they really need an automatic.

If you need an automatic, perhaps because you hold an automatic-only licence, an AMT i10 can still be a sensible city car. Just test it properly: pull away on a hill, crawl in slow traffic, and make several gentle and hard accelerations. Changes should be consistent, with no slipping, clunks or warning lights. Second-generation automatics used a four-speed conventional automatic, which feels different, so drive the exact car you plan to buy.

How safe is the Hyundai i10?

Euro NCAP tested the third-generation i10 in 2020 and published the result on 9 December 2020. The car scored three stars:

Euro NCAP area (2020)	Score
Adult occupant	69%
Child occupant	75%
Vulnerable road users	52%
Safety assist	59%

Euro NCAP said that in the full-width frontal test the driver's pelvis slipped under the lap belt, and that the i10 offered more limited autonomous emergency braking than some other small cars. Three stars does not mean the car is unsafe, but it is lower than many larger cars. If you will carry children often or drive long distances on national roads, compare the result with other cars on your shortlist, and favour a 2023 or later car with the upgraded safety systems.

Hyundai warranty on a used i10

Hyundai Ireland gives new cars supplied through an authorised dealer a five-year unlimited mileage warranty from the date of first registration, plus five years of roadside assistance. Hyundai's warranty FAQ says the warranty stays with the vehicle and passes to the next owner if the car is sold within the five years. It also asks buyers of a used Hyundai to check that maintenance was carried out regularly and that the warranty conditions are met.

A few details matter for used buyers:

• Audio and navigation units are covered for three years, not five.
• Consumable parts such as brake pads, filters and wiper blades have a separate 2-year or 20,000 km warranty.
• The battery and air conditioning refrigerant are covered for two years from delivery to the first buyer.
• The warranty is not available for taxis and PSVs.
• Hyundai notes that terms can vary from country to country, so an imported i10 may not carry the same cover as one first sold in Ireland.

Ask the seller for the service book or a dealer printout, and ask any Hyundai dealer to confirm the warranty start date for that registration.

Recalls and common checks

We checked the RSA's published recall lists for 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026 and found no campaigns naming the i10 in those years. Earlier vehicle recalls were published on the CCPC's product recall pages, and the safest step for any used car is to ask a Hyundai dealer to run the VIN for outstanding recall work.

The i10 has no famous mechanical weak spot, so your checks are about how the individual car has been used. City cars live hard lives: short trips, kerbs and tight car parks.

• Service history: regular servicing protects any remaining warranty and is the best sign of a cared-for car.
• Clutch and gearbox: on a manual, check the clutch bites smoothly and not right at the top. On an AMT, follow the test drive advice above.
• Alloys, tyres and steering: kerbed wheels, uneven tyre wear or a car that pulls to one side can point to kerb strikes.
• Bodywork: look for car park scrapes on bumpers and doors, and check panel gaps.
• Seats and belts: Hyundai's European press kit lists a four-seat version of the i10. Count the rear seat belts and check the logbook if you need five seats.
• Electronics: test the touchscreen, phone connection, USB sockets, reversing camera if fitted, and every warning light at start-up.
• NCT and paperwork: the NCT is due at four years, then every two years until the car is ten, then every year. Check the certificate, the logbook and the odometer history.

Our used car checklist for Ireland covers the paperwork in more detail.

Dealer or private sale?

The CCPC explains that a car bought from a dealer must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described, and that you have stronger rights when a fault appears soon after purchase. You do not have the same consumer rights when you buy from a private seller, so a private sale needs more checks, ideally with a mechanic. A dealer car with a recent service and some warranty left is often worth a little more.

Is a Hyundai i10 right for you?

A Hyundai i10 is a strong choice if most of your driving is in town, you want low running costs and you value a warranty that can pass to you as the second owner. It is less suited to drivers who spend most of their time on the motorway with a full car, or buyers who want the highest crash test rating in the segment. If you want an electric alternative of a similar size, read our Hyundai Inster guide. If you need more space, the Hyundai i30 guide is the next step up.

Prices move week to week, so compare current listings before you decide. Start with used Hyundai i10 listings on EcoSteer or widen your search to all used Hyundai cars.

Hyundai i10 FAQ

Is the Hyundai i10 a good used car in Ireland?

For town driving, yes. It is small, easy to park and simple to run, and cars first sold through Hyundai Ireland have a five-year unlimited mileage warranty that passes to the next owner. Check the service history, the gearbox and the NCT record before you buy.

Should I buy a Hyundai i10 automatic?

The third-generation i10 automatic is an automated manual (AMT), which can feel slow and jerky compared with a conventional automatic. It is fine if you need an automatic for town driving, but test it on hills and in slow traffic first.

Is the Hyundai i10 still sold new in Ireland?

In November 2026 the i10 does not appear on Hyundai Ireland's new car price list or new car range, so most buyers will be looking at used cars. Hyundai's smallest new models in Ireland are now the i20 and the electric Inster.

Does the Hyundai warranty transfer to the next owner?

Yes. Hyundai says the five-year unlimited mileage warranty stays with the car and passes to the new owner if the car is sold within five years of first registration, provided servicing was carried out and the warranty conditions are met.

How safe is the Hyundai i10?

Euro NCAP gave the 2020 i10 three stars, with 69% for adult occupant protection and 75% for child occupant protection. Cars from July 2023 have upgraded safety systems, including collision avoidance that can detect pedestrians and cyclists.

Sources

• Hyundai Ireland: 2026 new car price list (checked 12 November 2026)
• Hyundai Ireland: 5 Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty and FAQ
• Hyundai Newsroom: i10 press kit (engines, AMT, boot, Smart Sense)
• Hyundai Newsroom: production of the all-new i10 starts in Europe (January 2020)
• Hyundai: i10 vehicle history
• Euro NCAP: Hyundai i10 (2020)
• Euro NCAP: December 2020 ratings release
• CompleteCar.ie: Hyundai i10 goes on sale in Ireland (January 2014)
• CompleteCar.ie: Hyundai i10 1.0 review (February 2020)
• CompleteCar.ie: Hyundai launches updated i10 (February 2023)
• RSA: Recalls by manufacturer (2023 to 2026 lists)
• NCTS: National Car Testing Service
• CCPC: Consumer rights when buying a car