Hyundai i30

Hats off to Hyundai. The i30 shows that the company’s concerted effort to change its image – from budget car maker to serious contender – is nearly complete. Not only does the newcomer look presentable, but it drives well, offers lots of space and is packed with standard equipment. If we were splashing the cash, though, we wouldn’t go for this range-topping Premium car. It certainly has an extensive list of goodies, but the cheaper Style model makes more sense and would warrant a four-star rating.

It's the company which gave Land Rover a fright when it launched the Freelander-rivalling Sante Fe. Now Hyundai is seeking to do the same to the Focus with the new i30.

Auto Express has already driven the entry-level version of the Korean compact family car, but this is our first chance to put the 1.6-litre diesel to the test.

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the Hyundai i30

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Setting itself apart from its sister car – the Kia Cee’d – the i30 gets a unique grille, neater headlights with snappy blue-rimmed bulbs and bold tail-lights that stretch to the roofline.

Compared to Peugeot’s 308 and Fiat’s Bravo it won’t win any prizes for beauty, but its respectable looks are a big improvement on ageing Hyundais such as the Accent and Elantra.

Brightening things up further are the 17-inch alloy wheels of the range- topping Premium specification model tested here. Entry-level Comfort versions get 15-inch alloys, while mid-spec Style offers 16-inch wheels.
Although the 17-inchers look good, together with the firm suspension they help to make the i30 feel rather stiff over bumps.

However, the pay-off is decent handling, with good grip and limited body roll. In fact, only the steering lets things down – it has a strong self-centring effect and is sloppy around the straight-ahead. Still, there are no problems under the bonnet. The all-new 116bhp 1.6-litre CRDi turbodiesel is the best engine in the range, which also includes 1.4 and 1.6 petrols and a 2.0-litre diesel. The smaller oil-burner has lots of torque for overtaking, decent refinement and excellent economy at 60mpg.

Inside, the Premium model is brimming with equipment, including climate control, reversing sensors and heated front seats. And like all i30s, it gets a USB port for iPods and other MP3 players, too. However, while the dashboard and centre console are clearly laid out with neat dials and blue-backed displays, some of the plastics feel hard to the touch and the leather is cheap and has a shiny finish.

Space is generous, though, with as much room in the rear as a Focus or Vauxhall Astra. There’s also 340 litres of bootspace, made even more usable thanks to a standard luggage net.

So is it worth shelling out the extra for the Premium? That depends on how much kit you need. The Style version does without a few of its luxuries but it still comes with essentials such as air-conditioning, a punchy stereo and, of course Hyundai’s five-year unlimited mileage warranty. And it costs £13,995, which is £1,600 less. The only potential fly in the ointment is the Cee’d, which has a seven-year warranty. Apart from that, there is nothing to touch the i30. Which means manufacturers like Ford should be very worried indeed.

RIVAL: FORD FOCUS 1.8 TDCi
Even in entry-level Style trim, which offers few of the luxuries that come as standard on the i30, the Focus costs £15,795. And although its leads the way in terms of dynamics and quality, it can’t match the Hyundai’s warranty.