Hyundai i30

Modern cars are usually crammed full of warning sounds and buzzers – yet there was one noise missing from our Hyundai i30 when it arrived.

Call me lazy, but after a succession of long-term cars that have all been fitted with rear parking sensors, I was surprised to find our hatchback didn’t have the tell-tale beeps of a reversing aid to help me with my parking.

I needn’t have worried, though, because during a chance conversation with the experts at Hyundai, I discovered the device can easily be retro-fitted.

Armed with this knowledge, I was straight down to the nearest workshop to get it added. Although the final bill for £198.97 sounds expensive, it was actually quite reasonable given all the work involved. That figure includes the parts and labour – at £60 per hour, plus VAT – but not painting the sensors.

We had ours finished in our car’s body colour of red at extra cost – typically this is around £70 – and the end result looks very professional.

The job itself was straightforward, too. First, the technician removed the rear bumper, then he drilled holes for each of the four sensors, taking care not to damage the surrounding paintwork.

The tail-light unit also had to be removed and hooked up, as the system is activated by the reversing lamp. Connecting the sensors to the control module didn’t take long, and the set-up is very effective once it’s up and running. In fact, my only complaint concerns the beeps that sound as you approach an object, which are very quiet.

It’s only a minor problem, though, and living, driving and parking in crowded London is much easier now than it was previously. Not that life with the Hyundai i30 has been in any way difficult.

So far I’ve been impressed by its blend of space, performance and economy. And I’m not alone!

Whenever anyone else in the office borrows the i30, they only have good words to say about it when they hand back the keys. From the integrated iPod connection, which allows you to search between tracks using the built-in stereo, and steering wheel-mounted controls, to the punchy diesel engine, the Hyundai has been a big hit.

Classy touches include a leather steering wheel and gearknob, part-leather seats, smart alloy wheels and even a tyre pressure monitoring system. The mid-range Style trim doesn’t want for kit!

At £14,400, it’s excellent value for money, while fuel economy of 37.3mpg is also good, considering the amount of time it spends in traffic.

On longer runs it regularly returns fuel consumption closer to 48mpg.

Performance is brisk, and even when I have a full complement of passengers on board, the car never feels underpowered. With such a broad spread of talents, I’ve been really taken by the i30 and have unwittingly become an advocate of the Korean company’s model range.

Friends and family are initially cool on the idea of adding a Hyundai to their garage. However, their early frostiness always thaws out once they have sat inside and experienced the car for themselves.

Now, it’s simply a case of enjoying it while it lasts. The i30 is scheduled to return to Hyundai soon – but at least the addition of parking sensors means that it should go back dent-free...

Second Opinion

I borrowed the keys to Dawn’s Hyundai for a recent airport run, and was really impressed with how refined it was at cruising speeds. Plus, there’s plenty of punch on offer from its 1.6-litre diesel engine.

On twistier roads, the i30 proved to be both agile and responsive, too. With so much equipment and performance for the money – as well as really low CO2 emissions of 119g/km and decent fuel economy – I think it’s an utterly convincing family car.

I even like the styling. The neat twin-spoke alloy wheels look good, while the bright red paintwork suits the Hyundai’s shape.

Ross Pinnock
Road test editor