2012 Hyundai i10

Hyundai i10

Hyundai’s i10 slots right into the thick of South Africa’s entry-level hatchback fight, targeting urban commuters and first-timers who want something small, cheap, and reliable. You’re looking at a car that butts heads with old favourites like the Suzuki Swift, Kia Picanto, and VW Polo Vivo. Every one of the 35 i10s you’ll find online is used — not a single new one in sight — which says plenty about its lifecycle here. Prices are all over the place, from a jaw-dropping R79,995 for high-mileage early models to a fairly ambitious R259,900 at the top end, but the real market action is around that R126,500 median if you’re not scared of a few extra kays on the clock. On paper at least, the average mileage comes in at 104,612 km, stretching from 2009 all the way to 2025 models — so you’ll want to check condition closely because no two are the same. The 1.1 GLS and Motion versions cluster between R83,900 and R129,995, making them the obvious value picks for buyers who just want no-nonsense city transport. The Grand i10 1.25 Fluid, meanwhile, hangs around the R174,900 mark for those chasing newer spec and a bit more kit. What tips the scales in the i10’s favour over the Picanto is that little bit of extra width inside, plus rear seats that actually work for adults if you pack smart, which matters for anyone doing the odd Johannesburg-Durban run with mates or family. Against the Polo Vivo, the i10 can’t match the badge kudos, but it almost always undercuts it on price — and that’s the point for shoppers watching every rand.