Skip advert
Advertisement

Hyundai i10 BlueOn

We plug in with electric city car

Find your Hyundai i10
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

An impressive electric car, given that bosses have no plans to sell it yet. The i10 BlueOn has the very latest battery tech, and performs well. Hyundai wants to see cost savings and improvements in infrastructure, but is already committed to this – it’s spent £22m-plus getting the car this far.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Go green by going blue! Hyundai has joined the electric car party with its i10 BlueOn – and Auto Express has driven it.

It’s the first battery-powered model from the Korean firm, and features an 81bhp electric motor developing 210Nm of torque. This is fed by hi-tech 16.4 kWh lithium-ion polymer cells, which have been co-developed with electronics giant LG. The battery pack is 40 per cent smaller than one using nickel-metal hydride cells, and weighs 30 per cent less, so it doesn’t affect the i10’s passenger or boot space.

Thanks to Hyundai’s clever Virtual Engine Sound System, an artificial humming from start-up warns pedestrians that the car 
is approaching. The auto-style gearlever allows you to select Drive, Eco-Drive and reduced power modes, which extend the range at the cost of performance. Regenerative braking is strong – you only need the lightest touch of the pedal to bring the car to a stop. And despite the weight the batteries add, the BlueOn feels quicker than the 13.1-second 0-62mph time suggests. Plus, it’s stable at speed, and while it isn’t as agile as the petrol i10 through corners, that impressive pace gives it lots of character.

Charging takes six hours from a household power supply, for 
an 87-mile range. Yet while it appears production-ready, the firm doesn’t plan to sell a mass-market electric car until 2013.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Hyundai I10

Hyundai I10

RRP £14,245Avg. savings £2,086 off RRP*Used from £7,900
KIA Picanto

KIA Picanto

RRP £10,335Avg. savings £1,266 off RRP*Used from £4,695
Toyota Aygo X

Toyota Aygo X

RRP £16,845Avg. savings £1,063 off RRP*Used from £10,600
Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,495Avg. savings £1,866 off RRP*Used from £16,850
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Skoda sneaks long-range Enyaq under EV grant barrier
Skoda Enyaq SE L 85 - front 3/4

Skoda sneaks long-range Enyaq under EV grant barrier

Skoda's latest Enyaq SE L 85 delivers a 359-mile range and qualifies for the £1,500 government electric car discount.
News
30 Sep 2025
BYD, Skoda and Renault are giving premium car brands a run for their money
Opinion - premium car brands, header image

BYD, Skoda and Renault are giving premium car brands a run for their money

Mike Rutherford thinks traditional premium car brands are beyond the reach of most car buyers, and the competition is now closing the gap
Opinion
28 Sep 2025
Audi Q3 review
Audi Q3 - front

Audi Q3 review

The Audi Q3 doesn’t rewrite the rulebook, but it does significantly improve on most key metrics; the PHEV is particularly compelling
In-depth reviews
29 Sep 2025