Car group tests

Sub £10k - Hyundai i30

Spend a little more, and there’s a wide choice of superminis. So, which is best?

by: Auto Express team

24 Jul 2009

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If you’ve got £10,000 to spend, don’t think you can’t shop in the family hatchback market. Even buyers on a tight budget can have a decent sized car – and the Hyundai i30 is the proof. The 1.4-litre Comfort starts at £7,995 after Scrappage.

A low price isn’t the only attractive feature, though, as the Hyundai hatch comes very well equipped as standard. Comfort trim gets alloy wheels, air-conditioning, ESP stability control, electric windows, an auxiliary input for MP3 players and six airbags. That shames the smaller and more costly Fiesta Style.

The firm has embraced the Scrappage Scheme like few others, but its five-year warranty has been available for some time – and it also helps to set the i30 apart from its sub-£10,000 rivals.

While the Hyundai doesn’t have the image or visual appeal of the other cars here, its well proportioned, attractive five-door body is inoffensive and practical. The interior is thoughtfully laid out and well built, too, and the blue-lit instruments add a touch of class – only the high-set driving position counts against it.

It also performs well on the road. The 108bhp 1.4-litre petrol model isn’t fast, but it promises strong combined economy of 46.3mpg. Plus, the Hyundai has composed and secure handling, as well as light steering and compliant suspension which absorbs bumps effectively.

Hyundai’s family hatch was competitively priced before the Scrappage Scheme was introduced, so now it’s even more tempting. If you can stretch your budget a bit further, our pick would be the punchy but refined 1.6-litre CRDi. It has a list price of £13,400, and the diesel gives 60mpg – making the most of this great family car package.