Introduction
Launched in 2007 by Hyundai, the i10 has been a popular car amongst city dwellers.
It’s a great choice of car for those looking for something affordable, fuel efficient and reasonably practical.
The i10 also stands to be a great candidate for modifications due to it’s affordability and low cost of aftermarket parts.
Currently the i10 stands in its third generation, with the latest generation offering an “N” model which produces 100hp from it’s turbo’d 3 cylinder T-GDi engine.
Regardless of what year or model of i10 you have, this guide will go over all the best mods and upgrades.
It’s worth noting that aside from the latest “N” variant, extracting large amounts of extra power from the car can be quite costly. This is mainly due to the small naturally aspirated engines within the car.
As such, many owners opt to go for visual and cosmetic upgrades along with handling upgrades to improve the performance through the corners.
Let’s start by taking a look at all the best mods available so you can make your i10 your own!
Cold Air Intake
A cold air intake is a great way to unlock some additional sound from your engine and get performance gains.
A cold air intake by design is aimed at drawing in the coolest air possible and getting it into the engine as efficiently as possible.
While the performance gains aren’t going to be amazing, many owners will report an improved throttle response and feeling like the car is “livelier”.
There aren’t many of-the-shelf intake systems available for the i10 apart from this.
As such, you may need to get creative and create a custom one. This doesn’t have to be overly complex and you can buy a cone filter and piping from eBay that will let you set up your own routing for this.
Be sure to consider the position of the cone filter in the engine bay and try to keep it away from the main sources of heat (the engine). If you can get a heat shield for it as well, even better.
As an alternative to a cold air intake, you could also get an upgraded K&N filter from eBay.
These replaces the standard paper filter in the stock airbox so it’s a very simple 5 minute job to replace.
The K&N filters are optimised for performance and last a lot longer than the OEM paper filters so can work out a worthwhile investment.
Aftermarket Exhaust
An aftermarket performance exhaust system is an excellent way to upgrade your i10’s sound, aesthetics and even performance.
Swapping your stock exhaust for a high-quality aftermarket one is a popular choice among enthusiast owners.
A performance exhaust is designed to deliver a richer, more aggressive sound that every petrol head loves.
The most common way of getting this sound upgrade is to upgrade the muffler/silencer or “cat-back” section of the exhaust. This section is responsible for muffling and resonating the sound of the exhaust.
Aftermarket exhaust’s also tend to come with lovely polished exhaust tips which can make the back end look really clean and sporty.
If you are getting the exhaust fabricated by a local exhaust shop, then you will be able to get them to customise it to your liking in terms of looks and sound design.
Aftermarket Wheels & Spacers
One of the simplest yet most effective ways to totally transform the look of your i10 is to fit a new set of wheels.
A set of aftermarket wheels can set your i10 out and turn heads, giving the car a proper sporty aesthetic.
Depending on what model and year you have, wheel sizes range between 13 inches and 16 inches.
Due to the small wheels, you may be more limited with aftermarket options as many manufactures don’t make performance orientated wheels for this size.
To get a list of available aftermarket wheels, specifically for your i10, you can go to Wheelbase.
If you input your i10’s year and current tyre size, you will be able to see what options you have available that will fit.
When buying aftermarket wheels, always double check the fitment. Some aftermarket wheels may need spacers to fit right and to avoid clearance issues.
Interior Mods
While some modifications can be a bit expensive, whether they’re performance or exterior mods, interior modding is a fantastic way to start.
Not only is it the ideal place to show off your unique flair, but it’s also generally more affordable.
Let’s take a quick look at a few interior mods that can make your time in the cabin even more enjoyable.
Seat Covers
Investing in custom eBay seat covers is a great way to add a premium touch to your i10.
Seat covers not only add aesthetic appeal to the interior, but they can protect your original seats from spills, stains, and general wear and tear.
You can often find various materials to choose from, such as leather, suede, velour, and more.
Moreover, numerous patterns, colours, and even custom embroidery options are available, ensuring you’ll find the perfect fit for your style.
Upgraded Steering Wheel
A stylish and grippy steering wheel contributes significantly to the driving experience.
By upgrading your current steering wheel to one made of high-quality materials like leather or suede, or even opting for a sporty design, you’ll feel more connected to the road.
You can purchase covers from eBay that you can wrap onto the wheel yourself that not only look great but also offer superior grip.
Ambient Lighting
Ambient lighting kits available on eBay are a fantastic way to add some vibrance and colour to your i10’s interior.
Many of these kits can be controlled from your smartphone allowing you to change the colour and mood whenever you feel like it.
These tend to come in strips which you can place around various elements of the interior such as the door cards, dashboard lines and most commonly the footwell.
Lowering Springs
Lowering springs are an affordable way to transform the handling and looks of your i10.
Lowering springs can give the car a more aggressive, sporty look by reducing the wheel arch gap.
When appropriately lowered, your i10 will have a sleeker, more streamlined appearance and stance.
Not only can lowering springs improve the visuals, but they also offer great performance benefits.
The i10 can be a fun car to throw around corners due to it’s low weight, and lowering springs can increase this fun factor!
With the car’s ride height lower, the centre of gravity is also lower.
As such, body roll is reduced, enhancing stability during aggressive cornering, and improving overall handling performance.
There are a few good options for the i10 from manufacturers like Eibach and Direnza which you can check out at the bottom of this section.
30mm-35mm is a common drop height and it will depend on what year and mode of i10 you have.
When upgrading to lowering springs, you may find the wear on the shock absorbers is increased. As such, make sure they are in good condition before chucking on new springs and if they are worn, consider replacing them before the installation of lowering springs.
Eibach Lowering Springs
Hyundai i10 2013-2018
Direnza Lowering Springs
Hyundai i10 2013+
Front Splitter
If you’re looking for a subtle and effective way to add a bit of aggression and sportiness to the front of your i10, then a front splitter could be the solution. These are also sometimes called a front lip.
Granting the car a more prominent and assertive front end, front splitters visually lower the stance of the car.
Front splitters come in a variety of form and sizes.
There aren’t a lot of front splitters made specifically for the i10 unfortunately, however many owners opt for a universal styled splitter and trim it to fit.
If you own a 2010-2013 facelift i10n, then you’re in luck. Maxton offer a bespoke front splitter made specifically for this model.
Otherwise, a universal front splitter is your best bet.
Aim for splitters that are made from ABS as this material is more resistant against bumps as opposed to some other universal splitters made from fibreglass which are very fragile.
Maxton Front Splitter
Hyundai i10 2010-2013
Universal Splitter
Fits Hyundai i10
LED Bulbs
One of the primary advantages of upgrading to LED bulbs is the increased brightness they provide over conventional halogen bulbs.
This improvement in visibility not only allows you to see the road more clearly, but also helps other drivers to notice you better.
Consequently, this boosts the overall safety while driving at night or in low-light conditions.
LED bulbs are also known for their long-lasting performance, meaning that you’ll spend far less time and money on replacing burned-out bulbs, resulting in lower maintenance expenses over time.
Be sure to check your local laws and regulations regarding halogen to LED bulb conversions as this can be illegal in some countries.
Wing Mirror Wrap
While some of the later models come with black/coloured wing mirrors, many of the first and second generation i10’s don’t.
Wrapping your wing mirrors or having them painted can add a lovely contrast to the car.
Black or carbon fibre is always a good choice that goes well with pretty much any coloured body.
They can look especially nice if you have some gloss black wheels fitted too or other black accents such as stripes on the doors.
You can purchase gloss black wrap on eBay and you can wrap them yourself.
Wrapping can be a good alternative to painting due to it being more affordable and also reversible should you decide you don’t like it or want to return the car to a stock look for selling it.
Finishing Thoughts
We hope you enjoyed this guide on the best mods and upgrades for the i10.
For those wanting to boost the power of their Hyundai i10, an exhaust and intake offer improved throttle response and driveability and are the best bang for buck mods. Past this, it can get expensive. A remap can also unlock some extra power but the marginal gains likely aren’t worth it for most owners.
With a light car like the i10, it isn’t all about power though and it’s lightweight nature can make it very fun in the corners. Lowering spring can help boost handling performance and looks.
When it comes to customising aesthetics, you have many options such as a front splitter, wheels and wing mirror wraps. These small and subtle touches can make a large difference.
Whatever route you decide to go down when it comes to modifying your i10, have a clear plan and budget in mind to help you better decide.
Happy modding!
