Hyundai i30 (2010) review

This cleaner Hyundai diesel serves up the same impressive road manners as the standard i30, but it’s cheaper to run, and road tax costs only £35 a year. It’s a shame the new engine isn’t available with more luxurious Comfort and Premium trims, and the driving experience could be more fun, too. But when you look at the price tag, as well as the impressive aftersales package and excellent build quality, this is a tempting buy that makes lots of financial sense.

Has the winner of our Driver Power 2010 owner satisfaction survey just got even better?

This Hyundai i30 is the most efficient model in the range thanks to a new 89bhp version of the familiar 1.6 CRDi engine. But does less power and better economy give added appeal?

As well as the tweaked diesel, this car benefits from a facelift. What’s more, Hyundai’s stop/start system is available – the Intelligent Stop & Go (ISG) is a £200 option. That slashes CO2 emissions to only 110g/km and hikes combined economy to an impressive 67.3mpg.

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the Hyundai i30

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Although you pay extra for stop/start, our Classic model comes packed with plenty of kit. Included in the £13,850 price tag is air-con, foglights, auto headlamps and electric front windows. There are no alloys, but the wheel covers are a decent substitute.

Trouble is, our entry-level car’s cabin is dominated by an expanse of dull plastic. Plus, this 89bhp variant is offered only in Classic trim, so buyers have to do without the leather steering wheel and metal-effect centre console that comes on higher-spec Comfort and Premium models. Still, it’s well built, with no squeaks or rattles.  

On the road, the diesel isn’t as punchy as the 113bhp unit. A 0-62mph time of 14 seconds exactly sounds slow, but with 240Nm of torque from low in the rev range, performance is still impressive. And the car remains capable in town. It’s just not as flexible as models with other engines, and needs to be kept in the power band to make meaningful progress.

The diesel itself is smooth and surprisingly quiet. There’s a noticeable thrum on start-up and as the revs build the noise does intrude into the cabin, but otherwise it’s relatively refined.

In corners, the i30 feels composed and reassuring. The chassis is extremely capable, and the car is sure-footed on twisty roads. Keen drivers are likely to be put off by the slightly numb steering, but it’s still comfortable – as smooth cruising on the motorway as it is negotiating city traffic.

Plus, the low price includes Hyundai’s excellent five-year warranty – so this low-emission hatch looks great value.