Skip navigation

carsguide.com.au

Car Shortlist What's this?

Hyundai i30 CRDi

  • The Daily Telegraph
  • 02 November 2007
image Photo Gallery

First round finalist: One of the surprise packages of the year.

Good-looking, comfortable, well-trimmed and very well made, but the stand-out feature of the little Hyundai is the engine.

The 1.6-litre common rail direct-injection turbo diesel is a treat and the match with the five-speed manual is one made in engineering heaven. Raw figures of 85kW and 255Nm do not tell the full story, as it punches above its weight and drives like a far more expensive car.

The only slight niggle is the steering. While it is a staggering leap ahead of previous Hyundais, it is still a little off the pace for class best.

On the safety front the base model does not come standard with the full suit of airbags or ESP but can be upgraded with a safety pack for $1790 as on the test car.

Even with that it represents superb value.

Snapshot

HYUNDAI i30 CRDi
Price: $21,490 (as tested $23,280)
Engine: 1.6L/4-cylinder turbo diesel; 85kW/255Nm
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Economy: 4.7L/100km

Do you think this is a worthy Car of the Year finalist?

 

For all the latest on the carsguide Car Of The Year each week go to www.carsguide.com.au/caroftheyear

Comments on this story

Displaying 3 of 11 comments

  • I was going to get a test drive but lost all interest when I realised that the diesel did not have cruise control.

    Peer Jensen Posted on 08 April 2008 6:14pm

  • I agree, this is a very good car at a very good price and the diesel option is environmentally responsible and wanted. However, not to include cruise control is an unbelievable error of judgement. What were those millions of engineers thinking?

    Allan Garbutt Posted on 25 November 2007 3:39pm

  • I have orderd this car - shame about the quoted 12 week wait. I looked at a few cars in this size range and the i30 felt and looked (particularly the interoir) by far the best. The diesel convinced me on a test drive - it is very snappy from 1750RPM and I like the short throw gear change. I like that the Hyundai has a full size spare and it seems pretty good value to me. I thought about the VW Polo, but the ground clearance is very poor once you get out into the country. The Mazda and similar competition didn't look as classy as the Hyundai in the interior stakes (in my opinion) and I thought the handling was acceptable. In conclusion, the classy interior, diesel engine at a good price and good gearing/gear change clinched it for me - it just all felt right and good value for the price.

    Steve Mercer Posted on 24 November 2007 6:48pm

  • Saw Hyundai130 at Motor Show, was very impressed and thought that being an age pensioner that the diesel fuelled vehicle would be ideal economically and not having Cruise Control was not a necessity, as we only do a few trips a year these days.

    Lorraine Winsor Posted on 22 November 2007 9:48am

  • Yes, looks great. But needs the full comlpement of airbags. That's SIX, including the rear passengers, Hyundai. And does the Oz version come with stability control, or has it been deleted to save costs? If yes to all that, I'd serious consider it for my next car. If not, I don't see how it can come into reckoning for Car of the Year. Over to you, guys!

    John Knight Posted on 21 November 2007 10:55am

  • I have taken the i30 petrol version for a test drive recently. Fantastic value for the money, great performance and good looks. This is my next car, if I get my way.

    Ronda Speranza Posted on 21 November 2007 10:11am

  • great price for a small car with great economy pity about no cruise control i believe diesel is the way to go with fuel prices the way they are

    warren winsor Posted on 21 November 2007 10:11am

  • Great car for the price and i almost bought one but with no cruise control option in the diesel i thought the sales man was pulling my leg, NOT good enough hyundai this is 2007!!! Now i've got a few extra months to save up for the new 2008 Mazda 6 diesel.

    Carl Posted on 14 November 2007 4:49pm

  • I think hyundai is pretty much improving unlike what it used to be before. No longer just a cheap vehicle producer, but a serious one which can compare to the Japanese ones. i30 hopefully shows the future of hyundai cars later. good work~!

    David homerwell Posted on 13 November 2007 10:06am

  • Looks the goods. Definitely worthy of contention. Good luck i30!

    Robin Graves Posted on 10 November 2007 1:35am

  • I bought one of he first 130 diesels into Australia. What a wonderful vehicle. So well designed with a wondeful motor and real quality throughout. A pleasure to drive and compares favourably with much more expensive vehicles. I love it. Well done Hyundai

    Michael Howse Posted on 09 November 2007 9:48am
Read all 11 comments

Add your comment on this story

Indicates required

We welcome your comments on this story. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Please provide your full name. We also require a working email address - not for publication, but for verification. The location field is optional.

Cars for sale

Sponsored Links