Prices up; rear-seat space; AEB not standard across the range Refinement; sound driving manners; strong engines; broad range
Third generation raises the stakes, and the cost of entry
Hyundai i30
‘ASPIRATION’ is not a
word that typically
springs to mind with
Hyundai, a brand that
built its reputation on
drive-away screamers.
But with the third generation
i30, Hyundai is spruiking the
equipment list more than the
price tag. The basic Active arrives
with 16-inch alloys, an 8.0-inch
touchscreen, sat-nav, a reversing
camera, DAB radio, rear parking
sensors, a tyre-pressure monitor,
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
It’s comprehensive, and
trounces the competition. The
bad news? You’ll be paying about
$5000 more for an i30, at least
compared with the $19,990 deals
floating around last year.
Still,there’sacounterpunch
inside with the most elegant
interior yet for the Korean maker.
Dark plastics dominate and
while some lack the tactility
and precision of Volkswagen’s
benchmarkGolf,thelogicaldashlayoutandscreenthatsitsasa
feature atop the dash team with
flashesofsilvertoliventhemood
and ensure easy operation of all
major functions.
The 2.0-litre previously reserved
for the sporty SR pulls cleanly,
its 203Nm dishing up respectable
around-town flexibility. The
stretch to 120kW reveals a vocal
setoflungs,thankfullynotina
harsh way. The six-speed manual
is viceless, the auto impressively
smooth-shifting.
A Drive Mode button drops it
down a gear in Sport, although
it lacks the smarts to hold ratios
when things get challenging.
Sport mode also brings a
noticeably firmer steering feel,
adding largely unwanted weight
toatillerthatcoulddowithahint
more sharpness to fully exploit
what is a capable chassis.
Those yearning for paddles
need the SR, which brings more
equipment; Qi wireless charging,
18-inch rubber (225/40) and animpressive array of active safety
that includes auto braking.
But it’s the 150kW 1.6 turbo that
adds plenty more muscle, with
hints of hot-hatch spice; stout
in the middle revs, bordering on
feisty once you spin it to 6000rpm.
Combined with the slick-shifting
seven-speed dual-clutch auto, it’s
a sweet combination for $28,950.
But it’s the chassis that
defines the SR. Gone is the
on-limit sloppiness of the Active
(something not helped by yelping
Kumho rubber) replaced by a
surety that makes for brisk,
engaging attacks. Hankook tyres
are also a nice match.
The SR’s multi-link rear end
also deals more confidently with
mid-corner bumps, with none of
the skipping that occasionally
afflicts the torsion-beam rear of
the Active.
For now, the Elite lacks
relevance for many, mainly
because it’s only available with
a carryover 1.6-litre diesel. Thequietandrefinedmillisarelaxed,
torquey (300Nm) cruiser and
satisfyingly muted. But its 100kW
is less enticing, plus there’s a
clunky second-third shift from
the seven-speed dual-clutch.
Yet its 17-inch tyres – also
225mm-wide Hankooks – manage
the best trade-off between grip
and ride comfort. Adhesion is
closer to the SR than the Active
and there’s a suppleness that
devours pockmarked surfaces.
Yet there are chinks in the i30’s
armour. Stop-start is absent, the
SR is prone to steering kickback,
more noticeable in the firmer
Sport mode, and the elegant
screen on top of the dash requires
a lean from the driver’s seat
to reach the fixed buttons on
the left. Rear seat space, too, is
adequate rather than great.
But they’re minor quibbles for a
car that’s unleashed a new level of
maturity, both in its presentation
and driving nous.
TOBY HAGONFIRST
AUSSIE
DRIVE
Model
Engine
Max Power
Max Torque
Transmission
Weight
0-100km/h
Economy
Price
On saleHyundai i30 SR
1591cc 4cyl, dohc, 16v, turbo
150kW @ 6000rpm
265Nm @ 1500-4500rpm
7-speed dual-clutch
1436kg
7.0sec (estimated)- 5 L / 10 0 k m
$28,950
Now
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MINUS36 wheelsmag.com.au