Hyundai i30 CRDi (February 2008)

Launched: Hyundai i30 CRDi

Wheels Magazine
January, 2008

The headline act for Hyundai's i30 CRDi is, undoubtedly, the fact that it's the cheapest diesel-powered passenger car on sale in Australia. The entry-level SX model will set you back $21,490 (the up-spec SLX we drove raises the stakes to $25,990), undercutting VW's Golf, Ford's Focus, Holden's Astra and coming in at a whopping $9010 cheaper than Mazda's oil-burning 3.

For many prospective buyers, this fiscal frugality alone will be enough to ensure sales success. But a dirt-cheap Korean offering isn't anything new. More than a decade ago, $13,990 drive-away Excels were fine for getting bums on seats and establishing a foothold in the market, but what Hyundai needs now is quality product.

I'll admit I was expecting to slide into the i30 diesel, twist the key and feel like I should be heading into the fields to sow vegetables of some sort. But apart from an agricultural clatter at idle, the 1.6-litre four-cylinder (Hyundai's own) is the equal of many European offerings. Power peaks at 85kW at 4000rpm, while the hefty 255Nm slug of torque is on-song between 1900 and 2750rpm.

What pure numbers don't convey, however, is the elasticity and driveability of the twin-cam, common-rail direct-injection powerplant. Keep the pistons pumping in the 1900-4000rpm zone (a commendably wide power band for a compression-ignition engine) and you'll find surprising pace, delivered with a level of smoothness and refinement that belies the bargain-basement pricetag.

According to Hyundai, ticking the diesel box adds 36kg to the i30's kerb weight compared with the petrol version. At 1399kg the Korean is certainly at the porky end of the small-car class.

Where the CRDi stumbles slightly is in the dynamics department. The extra kilograms of the diesel engine suspended over the front axle introduces early understeer, and body control isn't quite as tight as that of its petrol sibling. The steering (long a thorn in Hyundai's side) loads up during direction changes and there's virtually no feel transferred to your fingertips. Then there's the rubber. Unfortunately, the 205/55R16 Kumho boots offer very poor grip levels. Which is a real shame, because the range-topping, petrol-powered SR on 17-inch Hankook tyres made a much better fist of tackling the twisty stuff.

But if razor-sharp dynamics aren't your top priority, there's still much to like - including the impressive list of standard equipment on the SLX, which stretches to climate control, leather-wrapped steering wheel, trip computer and side/curtain airbags.

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