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Car group tests
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  • Pulsar

Nissan Pulsar DIG-T vs Hyundai i30 Turbo & Peugeot 308 GT - pictures

By:Auto Express team
17 Sep 2015
Go to: Nissan Pulsar DIG-T vs Hyundai i30 Turbo & Peugeot 308 GT
  • Nissan Pulsar vs Hyundai i30 & Peugeot 308

    Demand for warm hatches that combine performance with reasonable running costs is growing, and the Nissan Pulsar DIG-T 190 is the latest to join the ranks. Here we test it against the Hyundai i30 Turbo and Peugeot 308 GT.

  • Nissan Pulsar - front tracking

    The Pulsar DIG-T is powered by a 187bhp 1.6-litre turbocharged engine and costs £22,345. 

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  • Nissan Pulsar - rear tracking

    The Pulsar is refined and composed at cruising speeds.

  • Nissan Pulsar - interior

    Inside, the cabin is well laid out with plenty of neat touches, but it's short on flair and quality is patchy. 

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  • Nissan Pulsar - gearlever

    The six-speed manual gearbox doesn't have the nicest shift action.

  • Nissan Pulsar - front seats

    Top-spec Tekna trim adds leather seats (heated in the front).

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  • Nissan Pulsar - rear seats

    The cabin is spacious and there's plenty of legroom in the back. The high roofline means access is easy, too. 

  • Nissan Pulsar - boot

    Maximum boot space of 1,395 litres is the biggest in this test.

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  • Nissan Pulsar - front cornering

    Sporty additions haven't improved the Pulsar's handling, as the steering is a little spongy and devoid of feel in the corners.

  • Nissan Pulsar - rear cornering

    Grip is in short supply and the Pulsar is the first to push wide in the corners in this test. There's a lot of roll and it's the slowest car here, too. 

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  • Nissan Pulsar - front static

    With the addition of a higher-power motor to the range, you might think Nissan's designers would have tweaked the car's styling to match.

  • Nissan Pulsar - badge

    There's not even a badge to indicate the Pulsar's extra power.

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  • Nissan Pulsar - exhaust

    There's just a single sportier tailpipe on the Pulsar, whereas the Peugeot and Hyundai have twin-exit exhausts.

  • Nissan Pulsar - rear static

    Let's hope a Nismo makeover - due next year - gives the Pulsar the visual boost it needs.

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  • Nissan Pulsar vs Hyundai i30 & Peugeot 308 - engines

    All engines in these cars are shared elsewhere in the respective ranges.

  • Hyundai i30 Turbo - front tracking

    Hyundai's i30 Turbo is powered by a 1.6-litre turbo, producing 184bhp and costs £23,000.

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  • Hyundai i30 Turbo - rear tracking

    Firm suspension in the i30 keeps it flat and level, but it's not so firm that it's uncomfortable. It feels quicker than the Pulsar, too, despite it being slightly down on power.

  • Hyundai i30 Turbo - interior

    Hyundai's cabin looks the part, with a simple, upmarket dash, but material quality leaves a lot to be desired. 

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  • Hyundai i30 Turbo - gearlever

    Red gearlever hints at the car's enhanced performance. A six-speed manual is the only gearbox option on this car.

  • Hyundai i30 Turbo - seats

    Red also features on the seats which add a bit of excitement to the i30 Turbo. 

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  • Hyundai i30 Turbo - rear seats

    There's decent room in the back.

  • Hyundai i30 Turbo - boot

    With the seats up, the i30's boot is the smallest here, at 378 litres. The boot floor is square and a useful shape, but the lip is high and the opening narrow.

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  • Hyundai i30 Turbo - front cornering

    Steering is quick and accurate, yet feedback is lacking. 

  • Hyundai i30 Turbo - rear cornering

    The i30 is hugely composed in bends, and the firm suspension keeps the car composed in bends.

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  • Hyundai i30 Turbo - front static

    The Turbo version has a series of styling tweaks over the standard i30 to mark it out as a more sporting option. 

  • Hyundai i30 Turbo - badge

    There's only one model, but the i30 Turbo comes packed with kit. 

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  • Hyundai i30 Turbo - exhaust

    Large twin-exhausts add to the visual impact at the rear, along with red detailing.

  • Hyundai i30 Turbo - rear static

    The i30 Turbo is available in both three and five-door forms.

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  • Peugeot 308 GT - front tracking

    The Peugeot 308 GT is the most expensive car in this test - at £24,095 - and is powered by a 1.6-litre turbo petrol producing 202bhp.

  • Peugeot 308 GT - rear tracking

    The Peugeot is very quick off the line and was the fastest car of our trio in-gear.

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  • Peugeot 308 GT - interior

    The 308 GT is more focused on comfort than speed, but the red detailing and small steering wheel add a sporty touch. Cabin quality is by far and away the best in this test.

  • Peugeot 308 GT - front seats

    While the heated leather seats will set you back £1,200, there's a strong case to tick them on the options list as they make the cabin feel even more of a cut above the competition. 

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  • Peugeot 308 GT - rear seats

    Low roofline and rising beltline cuts down the size of the rear windows, making the 308 feel more snug in the rear than the Pulsar and i30.

  • Peugeot 308 GT - boot

    Boot space of 470 litres is the largest here, despite the 308 being the shortest car.

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  • Peugeot 308 GT - front cornering

    Through the corners, the handling is engaging and fun.

  • Peugeot 308 GT - rear cornering

    This GT version is a good bet if you're looking for an everyday balance between comfort and occasional driving enjoyment.

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  • Peugeot 308 GT - front static

    The 308 balances visual aggression with lashings of class, especially when compared to the Pulsar and i30. 

  • Peugeot 308 GT - badge

    The 308 GT costs over £1,000 more than both of its rivals, but the higher-quality feel means we think it's worth the extra outlay.

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  • Peugeot 308 GT - exhaust

    Big exhaist hints at the car's performance.

  • Peugeot 308 GT - rear static

    Smart details like the Lion's claw LED tail-lamps, dark tinted windows, big 18-inch alloy wheels and large twin exhausts complete the car's look.

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