Hyundai’s new carrier bagged

Get a load of this – it’s the new Hyundai i30 estate. We caught the carrier undergoing final testing before it makes its debut in UK showrooms early next year.

With the five-door already on sale, the estate will be pitched into a competitive market that includes established contenders from Ford and Vauxhall, as well as the Hyundai’s sister car, the Kia Cee’d SW.

As our pictures reveal, the model has a clean, understated design. The stretched rear has been skilfully grafted on to the five-door body, while the upswept back windows mirror those of the hatchback.

Volvo-style full-length light clusters and a practical upright tailgate mark the car out from the rear, and stylish matt black roof bars complete the look. The i30 estate is 235mm longer than the hatch, giving 534 litres of luggage space. Fold down the 60:40-split rear seats, and this expands to a class-leading 1,664 litres. There’s a multi-section storage tray under the floor, while the sides of the load area feature lidded cubbyholes.

Elsewhere, the interior remains unchanged, and so is generously equipped as standard. Under the bonnet is a range of engines familiar to Hyundai and Kia owners. Petrol options include an entry-level 108bhp 1.4-litre and a more powerful 120bhp 1.6, while diesel buyers can choose between 89bhp and 113bhp versions of the 1.6 CRDi oil-burner. There will also be a torquey 2.0-litre diesel engine, delivering 138bhp, which will be linked as standard to a six-speed manual gearbox.

As with all models in the Korean manu­facturer’s range, the i30 will benefit from a five-year warranty. Combine this with prices that should be around £1,500 higher than for the equivalent hatchback, and it’s clear Hyundai will have a winner on its hands.