Hyundai i30 SR 2008 Review

Road Test

Overall rating: 3.5/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 3.5/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 4.0/5.0
Safety: 4.0/5.0
Behind the wheel: 3.5/5.0
X-factor: 3.0/5.0

About our ratings

There hasn't been a Hyundai in my memory that generated regret when it was time to hand it back -- until the i30, that is.

The top-of-the-range petrol SR model has enough character to even make you like it. As a bonus, there was nothing over a week of constant driving (440km) to expose any sub-standard behaviour that would niggle an owner for not spending the extra money on a mainstream Japanese model. Nor does it hit anyone in the eye inside or out with sub-standard details to label its owner as being cheap and undiscerning.

The Hyundai i30 (read our launch review here) is a watershed, not just for Hyundai but Korea. As the Japanese did when they were ready to take on the world, Hyundai engaged some high-powered western input for the i30. Unlike previous Korean efforts with a strong western influence, the i30 is possibly the first not to be corrupted on its way down the production line.

A blindfolded passenger might identify the dash shape as Subaru but when it has plenty of the soft, tactile surfaces missing in the latest Impreza, the i30 could be mistaken for a next generation Ford Focus or Holden Astra.

On the move, the SR's petrol engine has the sweetness and easy-going feel of a Honda, while the its ride (in contrast to the base i30) could easily belong to the Mazda3 -- which means it's harsher than it needs to be. Handling is composed thanks mainly to the 225/45 R17 tyre/wheel upgrade.

For $26,490, this is not a bad mix of qualities. The price is even keener when its full safety kit of ESP and four extra airbags which normally adds $1790 to the base model is factored in.

The test i30 SR arrived immediately after a drive of the latest Subaru Impreza RS and its tactile surfaces and storage areas immediately felt a full class above the Subaru. Sitting in the driveway, the i30's presence evoked much the same emotions in terms of pride of ownership.

It was the i30 that generated the impression of substance, as it was the Impreza doors that closed with a plasticky "thwack" -- obvious enough for passengers to comment. When the i30 weighs more than the Renault Megane, the five-star safety porker of this class, and about the same as the previous Toyota Camry, none of this should come as a surprise.

The SR's alloy wheels are simply drop dead gorgeous. So many alloy wheels are boring with a plain machine or silver-frosted finish -- the i30's combination of a liquid silver coating and chrome inserts really stands out. (Memo to an SR buyer: invest in a set of lock nuts before they end up on someone's boom-tish Accent.)

The test combination of the petrol engine and five-speed manual transmission (with Euro-style reverse lock-out) was surprisingly good with the engine rewarding driver involvement. It also averaged 8.8L/100km under stop-start conditions that cause several of its rivals to exceed 10.0L/100km, so its (claimed) 7.2L/100km combined fuel figure seems realistic.

While the Impreza might pull away in ultimate ride quality, handling balance, wet weather grip and top-end performance, those i30 drivers who rarely venture beyond the suburbs will never know. Hyundai's fine honing of price, capabilities and presentation for the i30 market is masterful and its few shortcomings are not so easily exposed under Australian speed limits and traffic conditions.

Concealed storage for an iPod, mobile phone, digital camera, keys and meter money (to keep them away from prying eyes or the sun) can be far more important to some than the last ten per cent in dynamic capabilities. The i30 is an object lesson of how to do it, with up to 20 storage compartments around the cabin including a proper sun glasses holder and air-conditioned glovebox cooler. With most i30 rivals diabolical in this area -- especially the Europeans -- such amenity would be enough on its own to tilt the balance.

The folding rear seat forms a better load platform than most. There are separate pull tabs to release the seat bases and store them vertically against the front seats.

So where doesn't the SR make the grade? The suspension is the same as the base model so any improvement in handling is totally dependent on its 17-inch wheel and tyre combination. The handling at the limit is still a little ragged and skittish and because there is no specific suspension bush or damper tuning for the much harsher 45 profile tyres, road shock on choppy surfaces is on the limit of acceptability.

Although the seats front and rear are adequate, they feel flimsy and Hyundai's cheap bonded-cloth trim (combined in this case with leather and vinyl) doesn't breathe well. The SR's wrinkly and hard leather highlights feel like they came from road kill, not the tannery.

While the four-wheel disc brakes are better than some rivals, the parking brake clamps the rear discs via a system that provides little feel during application. The lever is sensitive to within one notch whether it holds or not so drivers need to be vigilant.

The leather-bound steering wheel and tilt/reach column adjustment are welcome touches at this money, but a 10.8m turning circle generated by the bigger wheels can stretch the friendship for a car of this size.

Instrument markings are too coarse and minor gauges too small. While their blue lighting might impress some at the local DVD store, they can't compensate for what's not there. At least, there is a proper temperature gauge, a dial now missing on many new models.

There is also a hectare of unprotected paint and nudge surfaces so the dent and scratch van will be busy at resale. Lights are good and the plastic scraper under the front spoiler makes plenty of noise during nose to kerb parking -- this is essential when so many low-slung mechanical bits are vulnerable.

For a while there, it seemed like it would be another decade before you could take a Hyundai seriously under anything other than cash-adjusted terms -- especially with regard to safety and cabin finish. The i30, especially in SR spec, marks the beginning of a new era.

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