Car Reviews > Hyundai > i30 > Hyundai i30 UK drive Car Review

Facts At A Glance
Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cylinder
Gearbox: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive Power: 128 bhp 0-60 mph: 10.9 seconds
Top Speed: 122 miles per hour
Economy: 76 miles per gallon
Emissions: 97g per kilometre
Equipment: Bluetooth, xenon lights, cruise control, reversing camera, heated seats
On Sale: March 2012

The verdict is in on the high quality new Hyundai i30 hatchback, is it able to compete with the Focus?

The current i30 has been described as being dull but worthy, so Hyundai has decided to be a bit more daring when it comes to the new model, which is every bit as worthy but also comes with a bit more pizzazz into the bargain as well.

From the pronounced and striking curves down the flanks and around the front wheel arches, the very fancy LED driving lights, all the way to its pert and attractive rear end, the car’s appearance is both smart and European in style. This is a good thing for a vehicle that was manufactured in Europe, the Czech Republic to be exact.

The story is equally stylish when it comes to the interior of the vehicle, where an attractive cabin that greatly resembles the company’s larger Mondeo-rivalling i40 is adorned with high quality, soft touch plastics.

There is a great deal to like here, with a clear layout and solid driving position, although the view over the shoulder is rather compromised by the narrowing window line, a clear victim of those curvy lines.

It is probably a good thing therefore that the top pair of trim levels (Premium and Style) will come with a standard reversing camera, which have the pictures shown on the standard GPS system.

Indeed, standard is the key word when it comes to Hyundai, with the glass roof and leather also coming on the Premium and even the level two Active and entry-level Classic models are extremely well kitted out for the money.

The range kicks off at about £14,000, with the i30 going on sale from March next year, beginning with a 1.4 petrol engine, while there is also a 1.6 petrol engine as well as two 1.6 diesel engines. While the more powerful diesel vehicle, which comes with a bhp rating of 128, was the one tested here, both share superb fuel economy and CO2 emissions ratings of 76 miles per gallon and 97g per kilometre respectively, so both will be exempt from road tax.

On the move, the diesel engine impresses with its level of refinement as well as the smoothness with which it delivers its power, although given that it is not particularly punchy, there really is not an awful lot of it to start with. The car is not the best handler either, with a fair amount of body roll and steering which, while adequate to turn the vehicle reasonably well, does not give much feel of the road.

However, this is not intended to be a sports car, and for the great majority of people both the handling and steering should do just fine. Most will probably be more interested in a ride that only just reaches the firm side of comfortable.

The amount of space though is something which will doubtless be appreciated by everybody, with the i30 having room for up to five people as well as offering one of the largest boots in its class.

When it comes to quality, space, style and value, the new i30 is able to compete with the very best, with a slightly flat performance made up for in comfort and the superbly low emissions and high fuel economy.

by Autoweb