YOUR CAR IN BRIEF: Hyundai i30
As unremarkable as it may look, the Hyundai i30 is a landmark car for both Hyundai and automotive history. It is the first Korean car that is actually good. Not only is it historically significant, it is highly capable and ticks all the boxes a prospective car buyer could possibly want.
It looks rather good, and even better when it's not restricted to a 2D picture. It'll never be cool, especially with a Hyundai badge on the front and rear, but to most people, the Hyundai i30 looks pleasantly attractive, if not stunning. And importantly for a Korean car, it's built to a high quality standard. If you get inside an i30, close your eyes and have a feel of the interior, you'll swear that it was a Japanese car. The interior, on the whole, is impressive, with great functionality, presentation (if not filled with attitude), and like I mentioned earlier, high quality. It's fantastically roomy inside, and could quite easily be used as a 5-seater family car, believe it or not. Because it's a Hyundai, it's cheaply priced, and yet it still manages to be a wonderful drive - it has strong handling credentials and an impressive ride.
What don't I like? Pretty inconsequential things, really - if you get the top-spec SR model, please don't get the two-tone chrome/silver alloys, that way you'll do the community a good service. And don't get the bodykit either - often the paint colour of the bodykit doesn't match the car, and it looks like it's been tacked on with blu-tack anyway. But those things won't matter to most people. They didn't matter to my sister - she bought one.
It's even available as a wagon, though I don't know why you'd bother. It looks odd, and the cargo space in the regular hatch version is so great I can't see why you'd need much more. There's nothing much not to like about this car - except the shame that it's a Hyundai. But at least you'll know that it was the first good Hyundai.
As a used car? If your i30 isn't more than 5 years old, it should still be covered with Hyundai's warranty, but the i30 is built to Japanese-like standards, so not much can really go wrong. It'd be a great first car, and well worth a look.
Style: 7.5/10
Build Quality: 9/10
On-Road Performance: 8.5/10
Value For Money: 9.5/10
Practicality: 9/10
Safety Rating: 4-star ANCAP, 5-star ANCAP with side and curtain airbags
Average Real Owner Reliability: 9.2/10 (www.carsurvey.org March 2009)
Features:
Alloy Wheels: Only on SLX, SR, and Sportswagon
Leather: Not Available
Cruise Control: Only on SLX, SR and Sportswagon
Air Conditioning: Standard - SLX, SR and Sportswagon have Climate Control
Steering Wheel Audio Controls: Only on SLX, SR and Sportswagon
Power Windows and Mirrors: YES
Stability Control: Standard
Airbags: SX has TWO (option of six for $700); SLX, SR and Sportswagon have SIX
Foglamps: Front only on SR, SLX and Sportswagon
CD Changer: Six Disc only on SR and Sportswagon
Speakers: SX has FOUR; SLX, SR and Sportswagon have SIX
Bluetooth: Optional
MP3 Compatibility: Standard on all models (USB connection included)
Sunroof: Not Available
Metallic Paint: $320 option
Spare Wheel: Full-size spare
Warranty: 5 years/130,000km
$21,390 - 2.0 Litre Automatic SX Hatch
$21,890 - 1.6 Litre CRDi Manual SX Hatch
$23,890 - 1.6 Litre CRDi Automatic SX Hatch
$23,890 - 2.0 Litre Manual SLX Hatch
$25,890 - 2.0 Litre Automatic SLX Hatch
$26,390 - 1.6 Litre CRDi Manual SLX Hatch
$28,390 - 1.6 Litre CRDi Automatic SLX Hatch
$26,540 - 2.0 Litre Manual SR Hatch
$28,540 - 2.0 Litre Automatic SR Hatch
$20,890 - 2.0 Litre Manual SX CrossWagon
$22,890 - 2.0 Litre Automatic SX CrossWagon
$23,390 - 1.6 Litre CRDi Manual SX CrossWagon
$25,390 - 1.6 Litre CRDi Automatic SX CrossWagon
$27,390 - 2.0 Litre Automatic SLX CrossWagon
$29,890 - 1.6 Litre CRDi Automatic SLX CrossWagon
$29,990 - 2.0 Litre Automatic Sportswagon CrossWagon
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