The Hyundai i30 is a popular car in Australia, consecutively featuring in the top selling charts every year; and there’s a good reason for it: it’s a really great car. With a variety of combinations available in the range, there actually is something to suit everyone and for AnyAuto – we drove the only diesel option, the 1.6L CRDi automatic in the Active variant.
The exterior styling of the i30 hatch is a bit of an oxymoron in the sense that it is distinctively unique, especially from the rear – you can pick an i30 on the roads easily. However, there’s also nothing that stands out from the ordinary. It’s comprised of fluidic lines and a few bold statement features such as the revamped front grille that gives the i30 presence on the road. Once inside, you’re greeted with the fool-proof Hyundai layout which effortlessly combines design with practicality and useability. While the overall design is appealing, the Active still is a true base model lacking those finer touches like leather seats, gear knob and steering wheel and has 16” steel, not alloy, wheels.
The Active’s entertainment system is controlled by a 5” touchscreen with 4 speakers, AUX and USB inputs with MP3 compatibility, the Pandora app, Bluetooth connectivity and steering wheel mounted controls. As it is a base model however, there is no satellite navigation system but it does have a few sneaky features such as a cooled glovebox! From the driver’s seat, all the information you could need is clearly displayed including instant and average fuel consumption, distance to empty, trip distance, average speed and ECO mode light to encourage efficient driving. Comfort and storage throughout is on par with competitors in the segment, comfortably seating 4 adults throughout, featuring large door pockets and a 378L boot capacity.
Our test model is powered by a 1.6L direct injection diesel engine paired with a 7 speed, dual-clutch transmission. It produces 100kW of power @ 4,000rpm (a 6kW improvement over the previous model) and a more impressive 300Nm of torque @ 1,750-2,500rpm (which kicks in earlier than the previous model). Perhaps most impressively however is the claimed 4.9L/100km fuel consumption, which was a little low compared to our driving figures, but when the figure is so remarkably low to start off with, a slight increase is hardly going to break the bank and is still impressive by any standard. The base model Active also features cruise control and one touch turn signal.
The Australian tuned suspension means that even on our unique windy and bumpy roads, the steering is easy and you get a sense of the car being grounded at all times, barring when you floor it into a tight corner – but it’s not a sports car after all! With the diesel comes the 7 speed DCT, which performs leaps and bounds above the 6 speed transmissions on other models proving it to be very capable in selecting the right gear for the situation and reducing lag with the diesel engine.
The Hyundai i30 comes with Hyundai’s 5 year, unlimited km warranty with lifetime capped price servicing. Safety is also covered with the Hyundai i30 receiving a 5-star ANCAP rating and boasting seven airbags, Electronic Stability Control, Traction Stability Control, Anti-lock Braking System, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Vehicle Stability Management. For a base model, it is a pleasant surprise to see that a reverse camera with rear parking sensors is included as standard!
For $29,695*, the Hyundai i30 1.6L CRDi Automatic Active is just one of the many options available in the i30 range and is most attractive for those on a budget who still want the best safety and audio features and the fuel economy and performance advantages of a diesel engine with 7 speed DCT.
*prices are drive away for postcode 2000 and are subject to change.
** Exterior and Interior Photos are not of Active Model
