Nissan Pulsar DIG-T vs Hyundai i30 Turbo & Peugeot 308 GT
Racy new Nissan Pulsar is set for a baptism of fire against Peugeot and Hyundai warm hatches
Warm hatchbacks are hot property right now. A growing group of family focused five-doors has emerged this year, offering a combination of improved performance without the hardcore focus of a full-fat hot hatch.
The Nissan Pulsar DIG-T 190 is the latest on the market, with a 1.6-litre turbo engine making it the sportiest model in the range (until a Nismo performance version arrives later this year).
Yet it’s already facing stiff competition, as we’ve lined the Nissan up against our reigning warm hatch champion, the Peugeot 308 GT, and new competition in the form of the Hyundai i30 Turbo.
Fresh from its victory over the Renault Megane GT 220 and Kia Cee’d GT in a previous group test, the 308 GT is looking to continue its hold over the class.
Hyundai is also hoping it can succeed where sister brand Kia’s Cee’d GT failed and rise to the top with its i30 Turbo. The flagship Turbo model is down on power compared to its rivals here, so it has its work cut out.
Will it be a hard job separating our trio, or will one contender stand head and shoulders above the others? Read on to find out.
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Head-to-head
Running costs
The Nissan is the cheapest car to buy and will cost the least to run for private buyers over three years. Depreciation, fuel, insurance, servicing and tax add up to a total of £19,386. That’s marginally less than the i30’s bills, at £19,456, but nearly £1,000 cheaper than the Peugeot’s £20,173 three-year running costs.
Parts share
All three cars use engines from elsewhere in the line-ups. The Pulsar’s is a detuned version of the Juke Nismo RS’ engine, while the 308 GT’s unit comes from the 208 GTi. Hyundai’s i30 Turbo shares a powerplant with the 198bhp Kia Cee’d GT, but it’s oddly down on power.
Quality
The Peugeot’s air of quality is palpable inside. It’s a lot more upmarket than the budget-feeling Pulsar as well as the i30, which features questionable materials. So, the 308 justifies its extra expense with a top-notch ownership experience.
Verdict
1st place: Peugeot 308
The 308 GT is the most expensive choice here, but low CO2 emissions and generous kit help offset the purchase price. Competitive running costs are just the start, as the higher-quality cabin, more powerful engine and engaging chassis see the car deliver in almost every area. Rear seats are a bit cramped, but the biggest boot means there’s still enough practicality to win.
2nd place: Hyundai i30
Hyundai’s tweaks have turned the sedate i30 hatch into something genuinely impressive to drive with this Turbo model. There’s lots of grip and an adjustability that hints at the potential underneath for a full-on hot hatch, but it’s not the full package – high CO2 emissions see to that. And while it’s good value with lots of kit, it can’t match the Pulsar’s price or frugality.
3rd place: Nissan Pulsar
A more powerful engine hasn’t done much to enhance the Pulsar’s appeal. It’s now the fastest model in the range, but the chassis alterations aren’t effective enough and the Nissan feels out of its depth in this company. Its affordability and efficiency help it claw back some ground, yet warm hatches have to deliver a decent driving experience, too. Unfortunately, the Nissan doesn’t.
Other options in this category...
Kia Cee’d GT Tech
Price: £23,400 Engine: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 198bhp
With lots of kit and more power than the i30 Turbo, Kia’s Cee’d GT is a sporty warm hatch with a sprightly chassis and lots of neat touches, like Recaro bucket seats. Claimed economy of 38.2mpg is a weak point, though.
Renault Megane GT 220
Price: £23,250 Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 217bhp
Plenty of power and sparkling handling mean the Megane is thrilling to drive. Ageing Renault might be more focused and fun on the road, but it doesn’t have the premium feel of the marginally more expensive Cee’d GT, and isn’t as fresh.
Key specs:
Peugeot 308 GT 1.6 THP | Hyundai i30 Turbo 1.6 T-GDI | Nissan Pulsar Tekna DIG-T 190 | |
On-the-road price/total as tested | £24,095/£26,450 | £23,000/£23,000 | £22,345/£22,645 |
Residual value (after 3yrs/30,000) | £8,325/34.6% | £8,052/35.0% | £7,824/32.6% |
Depreciation | £15,770 | £14,948 | £15,061 |
Annual tax liability std/higher rate | £1,010/£2,019 | £1,268/£2,537 | £988/£1,977 |
Annual fuel cost (12k/20k miles) | £1,895/£3,159 | £1,930/£3,216 | £1,671/£2,785 |
Ins. group/quote/road tax band/cost | 26/£570/D/£110 | 21/£538/H/£205 | 18/£512/E/£130 |
Cost of 1st/2nd/3rd service | £13pm (3yrs/35k) | £349 (3yrs) | £149/£219/£149 |
Length/wheelbase | 4,253/2,620mm | 4,300/2,650mm | 4,387/2,700mm |
Height/width | 1,457/1,804mm | 1,470/1,780mm | 1,520/1,768mm |
Engine | 4cyl in-line/1,598cc | 4cyl in-line/1,591cc | 4cyl in-line/1,618cc |
Peak power | 202/6,000 bhp/rpm | 184/5,500 bhp/rpm | 187/5,600 bhp/rpm |
Peak torque | 285/1,750 Nm/rpm | 265/1,500 Nm/rpm | 240/1,600 Nm/rpm |
Transmission | 6-spd man/fwd | 6-spd man/fwd | 6-spd man/fwd |
Fuel tank capacity/spare wheel | 53 litres/space saver | 53 litres/space saver | 46 litres/repair kit |
Boot capacity (seats up/down) | 470/1,309 litres | 378/1,316 litres | 385/1,395 litres |
Kerbweight/payload/towing weight | 1,200/590/1,400kg | 1,380/490/1,400kg | 1,307/470/1,200kg |
Turning circle/drag coefficient | 10.4 metres/N/ACd | 10.6 metres/N/A | 10.2 metres/N/A |
Basic warranty (miles)/recovery | 3yrs (60,000)/1yr | 5yrs (unltd)/5yrs | 3yrs (60,000)/3yrs |
Service intervals/UK dealers | 20,000 miles/300 | 20k miles (2yrs)/162 | 12k miles (1yr)/225 |
Driver Power manufacturer/dealer pos. | 10th/5th | 21st/17th | 28th/29th |
NCAP: Adult/child/ped./assist/stars | 92/79/64/81/5 | 90/90/67/86/5 | 84/81/75/68/5 |
0-60/30-70mph | 7.7/6.7 seconds | 7.9/7.3 seconds | 7.9/7.1 seconds |
30-50mph in 3rd/4th | 3.3/4.2 seconds | 3.4/4.3 seconds | 3.7/5.0 seconds |
50-70mph in 5th/6th | 6.0/7.1 seconds | 6.1/7.9 seconds | 7.2/8.1 seconds |
Top speed/rpm at 70mph | 146mph/2,750rpm | 136mph/2,500rpm | 135mph/2,500rpm |
Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph | 50.1/33.0/9.2m | 47.0/34.6/8.9m | 51.1/37.6/9.6m |
Noise levels outside/idle/30/70mph | 56/50/66/71dB | 67/51/67/75dB | 65/52/65/70dB |
Auto Express econ (mpg/mpl)/range | 33.5/7.4/391 miles | 32.9/7.2/384 miles | 38.0/8.4/385 miles |
Govt urban/extra-urban/combined | 38.2/61.4/50.4mpg | 29.4/47.1/38.7mpg | 36.7/58.8/47.9mpg |
Govt urban/extra-urban/combined | 8.4/13.5/11.1mpl | 6.5/10.4/8.5mpl | 8.1/13.0/10.5mpl |
Actual/claimed CO2/tax bracket | 226/130g/km/21% | 230/169g/km/28% | 172/138g/km/22% |
Airbags/Isofix/parking sensors/cam | Six/yes/yes/yes | Seven/yes/yes/yes | Six/yes/no/yes |
Auto gearbox/stability/cruise control | No/yes/yes | No/yes/yes | No/yes/yes |
Climate control/leather/heated seats | Yes/£1,200/£1,200* | Yes/leatherette/yes | Yes/yes/yes |
Metallic paint/xenon lights/keyless go | £525/LEDs/yes | £530/yes/yes | £550/LED/yes |
Sat-nav/USB/DAB radio/Bluetooth | Yes/yes/yes/yes | Yes/yes/no/yes | Yes/yes/yes/yes |