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Hyundai i30 2008 Review.

Not to be confused with the Mitsubishi i, the Hyundai i30 is the car that is set to change the image of the Korean car giant.
Let’s be honest, to most people, Hyundai is generally thought to represent cheap but not necessarily, cheerful motoring with somewhat dated styling. The i30 changes all that and not only marks a new alpha-numeric naming system but announces to the world that Hyundai are moving up and into the European market in style.

Not to be confused with the Mitsubishi i, the Hyundai i30 is the car that is set to change the image of the Korean car giant.

 Let’s be honest, to most people, Hyundai is generally thought to represent cheap but not necessarily, cheerful motoring with somewhat dated styling. The i30 changes all that and not only marks a new alpha-numeric naming system but announces to the world that Hyundai are moving up and into the European market in style.

 The i30 is a C-segment, 5-door hatchback and although there are plenty of others to choose from, this is where the Company needs to make an impression if it is to achieve its European goals. The i30 does it in almost every respect, in much the same way as the award-winning Santa Fe, last year.

As you would expect, it is specifically designed for European tastes and features elongated, almost teardrop, headlamps, front fogs set into body-coloured bumpers and door mirrors, which always give a vehicle a premium look. At the back, the styling is equally robust and curvy as the front. Above the tailgate is a small roof spoiler and below, a deep bumper. In short, it looks the part, especially in black.

 Inside the cabin is quite spacious and the designers have gone for a conservative look, rather than multifaceted silvers and tones of grey. However, it is neither bland nor dull. The dark, soft-touch fascia and instrument nacelle is tempered by blue lighting, which is much more subtle than that of a Honda Civic or a Volkswagen Golf and easier on the eye.

 The dark centre console is shapely but neat and tidy at the same time. It houses the controls for the air-conditioning, which also cools the glove box, even at the base, trim level. The console also contains a single CD/RDS radio with six speakers, MP3 and WMP compatibility and secondary controls on the steering wheel. This is also a small panel containing integrated Aux, USB and iPod and sockets, which means that your iPod can be controlled through the audio system. Other options, such as hands-free functionality, are available.

There are three trim levels; Comfort, Style and Premium. All have a slightly different attitude. The test car was in Comfort trim, which could be regarded as ‘base level’ but comes with a fair few goodies, some of which you wouldn’t find on many other base models in this price range.

 For instance, the supportive seats have lumbar- and height-adjustment for the driver, there are electric windows front and rear, heated door mirrors, rake- and reach adjustable steering column and tinted glass. However, at this level, it is unusual to have ESP, to go with the ABS with EBD and quite a few cars only have four airbags, while the i30 has six, including full-length curtain airbags. Incidentally, there is a very good demonstration of the effectiveness of ESP on the Hyundai website. Prices for the Comfort model start from £10,995.

 The Style trim is sportier and swaps the standard 15-inch alloys for 16-inch wheels. It also adds automatic headlamps, part-leather seats to match the covers for the front armrest, steering wheel and gear knob. UV-reducing glazing and Hyundai’s new Tyre Pressure Monitoring System are also included in the £12,545 starting price.

Premium buys 17-inch alloys, rear parking sensors, full climate control, full leather upholstery, heated front seats, auto wipers, an armrest for the rear passengers and a de-icing area for the front wipers. Premium prices rise from £14,895 to £16,595, depending on the engine and transmission choices.

 Petrol fans can choose between a 1.4-litre (109 PS) and a 1.6-litre (122PS) unit. Both of which are newly developed to provide a fair amount of whizziness. On the other hand, the Variable Geometry Turbo-charged, diesels offer performance and fuel consumption. A 1.6-ltre (115PS) unit is available along with a new 2.0-litre engine, which is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. With the exception of the Style trim, the 1.6 units (diesel and petrol) come with the option of an automatic gearbox in place of the 5-speed manual, but at a premium of between £650 and £1,300.

 The £12,295, test car had the 1.6 petrol engine under the bonnet, mated to the 5-speed gearbox. This particular power unit produces 122PS at 6,200rpm, that is 120.3bhp in old money and there is 154Nm or 113.5lb ft of torque available at 4,200rpm.

All of which helps to propel the i30 from 0-62mph in 11.1 seconds and the top speed is 119mph, which appears to be average but…and it is a big ‘but’. To quote Hyundai, “The i30 boasts fully independent rear suspension, the result of which is truly outstanding ride and handling with excellent levels of refinement.” Hyperbole aside, the PR people are not fibbing.

 When I first drove the i30, I thought that it felt light and inconsequential. I really wasn’t going to like it. A mile later and I had completely changed my mind. It has the dynamic capabilities and agility to compete with more expensive vehicles and the handling is confidence inspiring for novice and experienced drivers, alike.

 The price for this grin-inducing drive is in the fuel consumption figures. They are not bad but could be better. Having said that, the urban cycle is said to return 35.3mpg, which shows that town driving doesn’t have to create a thirst and the extra-urban figure of 54.3mpg is reasonable. The combined works out as 45.5mpg and the exhaust emits 152g/km CO2.

 I have just read that there is now an i30 bearing a green badge to show its cleaner credentials. It is powered by a version of the 1.6-litre diesel engine with a Diesel Particulate Filter. This new version produces CO2 at a rate of just 119g/km, which not only means an saving on VED but if Ken’s plans are accepted, it will qualify for a 100 per cent discount on the London Congestion Charge.

 A C-segment car is expected to appeal to and accommodate all types of family group and business users, alike, hence the need for variations on the basic theme. For this reason, Hyundai have produced an i30 estate for extra load-lugging, which should be in the shops, any time now. In the meantime, the 5-door hatch offers between 340- and 1,250-litres of carrying capacity, with the rear seats up or folded away, respectively.

 Passengers have an easy ride, too. Thanks to the i30’s long wheelbase, adults sitting in the deep, rear seats will find there is adequate legroom and for younger families, there are ISOFIX mountings on the outer seats.
All in all, the i30 is well worth a look. It is safety conscious but without losing it’s sense of fun and sneakily, special. I think that Hyundai have got it right and if I had to sum up the i30 in one word, it would be ‘impressive’.