Hyundai i30 hatchback In Agressive Mode

The new Hyundai i30 is aiming for the top of its class - it's the Korean brand's latest rival to the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus, sharing many exterior styling cues with its bigger brother, the Hyundai i40. Arriving in the UK in April 2012, the new i30 features an upmarket cabin and some of the highest equipment levels in the family hatchback sector. All models come with Bluetooth, LED daytime running lights, a multi-function steering wheel and electric heated door mirrrors. Hyundai is also promising a range of highly efficient and flexible engines. Where the old model used to be far cheaper than the competition, the new i30 is very similar on price.

Drive

Safe and dependable

The 128bhp diesel model is smooth and refined but lacks power once out on open roads. Capable of 0-60mph in 10.9 seconds, the Hyundai i30 is designed with economy in mind not performance. From behind the wheel drivers will find the handling safe and secure but the whole experience lacks any real excitement.
The automatic gearbox is smooth and easy to use but we'd recommend avoiding it if you can as it pushes up running costs and seems to sap the engine of power.

Comfort

Comfort levels are impressively high

The Hyundai i30's ride is very well judged, managing to feel comfortable and firm with very little noise entering the cabin. The diesel engine is smooth and quiet at low speeds and only sounds harsh when acceleraring hard. As a result, the i30 is a confident long distance tool and just as happy on the motorway as it is on the daily commute. Both front and rear occupants will enjoy the generous amount of cabin space and all the seats are carefully designed to provide support in all the right places.

Reliability

Build quality is impressive

Hyundai has a very impressive reliability record and the new i30 should follow suit. Inside, the cabin feels very well made and all the materials are of a high quality. Similar in design to the Hyundai i40, the dashboard layout is also very striking, but feels robust. Compared to the old i30, this new car is in a completely different league when it comes to cabin quality. In fact, Volkswagen bosses have been seen commenting on the impressive build quality of the i30's cabin at international motor shows, showing their Golf could even learn a few lessons from the Hyundai.

Practicality

Large boot is very useful

The tapered rear passenger windows can restrict the driver's rear view, but otherwise the i30 scores highly in practicality tests. The generous amount of interior space and a boot of class leading proportions mean that living with the i30 on a day-to-day basis, is easy. In fact, the i30's boot is 62 litres larger than the Ford Focus and 28 litres larger than the Volkswagen Golf.

Value for money

Standard spec is high

The Hyundai i30 used to undercut the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf by a few thousand pounds, and while it is still slightly cheaper and better equiped, the prices are now closer than ever. Standard kit on even the most basic i30s includes air-conm electric windows and Bluetooth. Hyundai models normally depreciate more than their European counterparts too, but this i30 promises to have residual values almost as good as models like the Ford Focus.

Running costs

Diesel models are Road Tax free and capable of up to 76mpg

The two 1.6 diesel-engined models provide the best fuel economy returning up to 76mpg and producing 97g/km of CO2 - making them exempt from Road Tax. All models are frugal however, the cheaper 1.6 petrol will better suit owners who rarely travel over longer distances. Avoid the six-speed automatic gearbox if you can because it pushes up the CO2 emissions to around 150g/km in the most frugal diesel and worsens fuel economy to around 50mpg. It also costs around £1000 extra too.

Prices & Specifications

What the others say

Auto Express

The range will kick off at around £14,000 when the i30 goes on sale in March, starting with a 1.4 petrol. There's also a 1.6 petrol plus two 1.6 diesels – we drove the more powerful 128bhp diesel rather than the 110bhp version, but they share excellent economy and CO2 figures of 76mpg and 97g/km, so are exempt from road tax.