Hyundai i30 SR 2007 review

The i30 will no doubt propel the Korean brand into more distinguished company, in the small car market at least.

Designed in Germany, the i30’s Euro styling demonstrates that with a little bit of effort and imagination, a company with a reputation for being somewhat characterless, can produce a gem. The rear section looked remarkably like a one series BMW, whilst strong lines and a longer, wider stance enhance that European hatch look and feel. The top spec SR sport model we tested looked the part with 17 inch alloys, side skirts and a rear spoiler.
 
Shutting the door delivered a satisfying ‘clunk’ – a welcome change to the ‘slap’ we have become accustomed to with the Excel or the Getz.
 
The interior was equally as impressive with a simple, intuitive dash combining quality plastics with a pleasant textured finish. Gen-Y’ers will go doof doof crazy with an iPod connection neatly hidden in the centre console, controllable via the stereo interface – although we didn’t quite work out how to search for songs properly. Racing sports alloy pedals, a six stacker CD player and leather and cloth seats were extras on the SR only.
 
Objects in the in the side mirrors were a hell of a lot closer than they appeared, with the big convex mirrors causing a few near misses.
 
The petrol versions of the base model SX, the SLX and the sporty SR carry 2 litre engines producing 105kW and 186Nm of torque. We found that even the SR left us wanting more punch cruising at low revs, but we were ok with it, considering it is a small car. The improved suspension produced spot on ride and handling. The 1.6 litre diesel engines in the SX and the SLX will give you 85kW with an impressive 255Nm of torque for extra power right down low.
 
ABS and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution is standard across the range and you have the choice to add the Protecz enhanced safety pack for addition passive safety features, including side and curtain airbags.
 
For a car that was essentially produced as the hatchback version of the Elantra, the i30 has dug its heels in and demanded be recognised in its own right. A demand likely to met, considering the effort made by Hyundai to winch itself out of a rut of uninspired production.