 The best Hyundai is also the cheapest – and it’s a diesel to boot, says Byron Mathioudakis.
Hmm… the Hyundai i30 SX CRDi diesel eh? Word out says it’s good?
Is it ever! Hyundai developed its latest small-car hatchback in Germany, and used the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus as benchmarks, to create a great little runabout. Starting from $21,490, the i30 CRDi diesel we have here costs thousands less than equivalent diesels from Europe. Speaking of which, they rave about this little car in Europe. And the most incredible thing is it’s actually a derivation of the very uninspiring Hyundai Elantra sedan!
Stylistically, it looks like Hyundai was ‘inspired’ by the BMW 1 Series and Mazda 3.
Yes, the i30 is not the most original design. The fussy detailing in the nose and tail let it down a little. But you soon forget that, since the 1.6-litre diesel is smooth and very quiet on the go; has stacks of torque for exceptional flexibility around town and effortless cruising and overtaking abilities on the open road; and is incredibly economical.
At idle it clatters like virtually all diesels do, but it’s far from unrefined. If you drive a Golf TDI or Peugeot HDi, this engine is pretty much as good as those ones.
Big statement. Does it handle like a European though?
Not too badly at all – and leagues ahead of anything the Koreans have ever dished out previously. Because it has oodles of low-down torque, the i30 is fun to drive, and it flies through corners, feels stable at high speed, and brakes really well. We don’t dispute Hyundai’s high safety claims for it either. But, despite the high level of engineering and sophisticated suspension underneath, the i30 CRDi isn’t quite as sharp in corners, nor as supple in ride, as the best of them (Focus, Golf, Mazda 3) are.
And what about inside the car… is it toxic shock like old Hyundais?
Not even close. Hyundai make some really pleasant, functional and comfortable interiors these days, and the i30 should offend nobody. Among its plus points are good seats, ample space for a small car, a simple and attractive dashboard, and lots of storage spaces. The boot is pretty cavernous too.
Gee, you’re pretty convinced about this car, right?
Well, it’s exceptional value for money, and by far the cheapest diesel car for its size currently available in Australia. However, we’re not too rapt in the styling. The five-speed manual gearbox is not the smoothest around – apparently the four-speed automatic for $2000 extra is the better bet. And like most base model cars, you still have to pay more for extra airbags and ESC stability control in the SX. The $25,990 i30 SLX CRDi has better tyres than the entry level model too. But no matter which one you choose, both are affordable and fun to drive. Hyundai deserves to sell each one i30 CRDi it imports.
Ten facts you should know about the… 2008 Hyundai i30 CRDi diesel
1. How much: From $21,490 (SX manual) to $27,990 (SLX auto)
2. What’s under the bonnet: 1.6-litre DOHC 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
3. Power/torque: 85kW/225Nm
4. Transmission: 5-speed manual or four-speed automatic
5. How’s it go: 0-100km/h: N/A
6. What it costs the earth: 4.7/100km/CO2 emissions: 125g/km
7. Alternatives: Ford Focus TDCi, Mazda 3 Diesel, Holden Astra CDTi, VW Golf TDI, Citroen C4 HDi, Peugeot 308 HDi, Chrysler Caliber CRD
8. Likes: Affordability, value, diesel performance and economy, interior layout, long 5-year warranty, decent dynamics, safety
9. Dislikes: Not the sharpest steerer, firmish ride, unoriginal styling
10. Our rating out of 5 Stars: 4
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Diesel do for openers
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