Hyundai i30 Review
Published: 25th January 2008
Hyundai i30
There are three trim levels; Comfort, Style and Premium. All have a slightly different attitude. The test car was in Comfort trim, which could be regarded as ‘base level’ but comes with a fair few goodies, some of which you wouldn’t find on many other base models in this price range.
For instance, the supportive seats have lumbar- and height-adjustment for the driver, there are electric windows front and rear, heated door mirrors, rake- and reach adjustable steering column and tinted glass. However, at this level, it is unusual to have ESP, to go with the ABS with EBD and quite a few cars only have four airbags, while the i30 has six, including full-length curtain airbags. Incidentally, there is a very good demonstration of the effectiveness of ESP on the Hyundai website. Prices for the Comfort model start from £10,995.
The Style trim is sportier and swaps the standard 15-inch alloys for 16-inch wheels. It also adds automatic headlamps, part-leather seats to match the covers for the front armrest, steering wheel and gear knob. UV-reducing glazing and Hyundai’s new Tyre Pressure Monitoring System are also included in the £12,545 starting price.
Premium buys 17-inch alloys, rear parking sensors, full climate control, full leather upholstery, heated front seats, auto wipers, an armrest for the rear passengers and a de-icing area for the front wipers. Premium prices rise from £14,895 to £16,595, depending on the engine and transmission choices.
Petrol fans can choose between a 1.4-litre (109 PS) and a 1.6-litre (122PS) unit. Both of which are newly developed to provide a fair amount of whizziness. On the other hand, the Variable Geometry Turbo-charged, diesels offer performance and fuel consumption. A 1.6-ltre (115PS) unit is available along with a new 2.0-litre engine, which is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. With the exception of the Style trim, the 1.6 units (diesel and petrol) come with the option of an automatic gearbox in place of the 5-speed manual, but at a premium of between £650 and £1,300.
The £12,295, test car had the 1.6 petrol engine under the bonnet, mated to the 5-speed gearbox. This particular power unit produces 122PS at 6,200rpm, that is 120.3bhp in old money and there is 154Nm or 113.5lb ft of torque available at 4,200rpm.
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