Hyundai i30 Estate full 9 point review
-
Performance
The 1.6-litre diesel engine is smooth, punchy and feels well suited to the car. It isn't as lively as rival units, though. If diesel's not your thing, you can have a 1.6-litre petrol. We haven't driven a petrol model yet, but the same engine doesn't shine in the i30 hatchback, so it's unlikely to do so in the heavier Estate.
-
Ride & Handling
Apart from the odd stumble over expansion joints and big potholes, the i30 Estate is comfortable. It smothers most road surfaces, letting you sit back and enjoy the ride. Most cars set up for suppleness rather than sportiness can come unstuck in the bends; not the i30. It has decent grip and remains unflustered in corners. The light controls also make it easy to drive.
-
Refinement
There's a little too much chug from the diesel engine on start-up and when revved, but it's otherwise civilised. You might wish for a sixth gear if you do lots of motorway miles - top gear in the five-speed gearbox means that the engine is spinning faster than you'd like at 70mph. Wind noise is well suppressed, although you'll be aware of road and suspension noise on poor surfaces.
-
Buying & Owning
The i30 is one of the cheapest compact estates - it comfortably undercuts rivals from Ford and Vauxhall. Economy and emissions are good, so both petrol and diesel models will cost pocket money to run. Peace of mind is standard: the i30 comes with a five-year warranty and three years' roadside recovery.
-
Quality & Reliability
If you want a car that feels well built, the i30 does the job; if you want top-quality materials, look elsewhere. There's nothing wrong with the plastics used, they're just not as nice as those in rivals. Hyundai's reliability record is average.
-
Safety & Security
You get a lot of safety kit with your i30. Every model comes with front, side and head airbags, as well as active head restraints that move forward in a rear-end shunt to lessen whiplash. There's also stability control and emergency brake assist to help you avoid an accident in the first place. An alarm, deadlocks and a lockable glovebox take care of security.
-
Behind The Wheel
Sit behind the wheel and everything falls easily to hand. The large buttons and switches are also easy to use - if only it all looked a little more interesting. The biggest problem, though, is with the driving position: taller drivers may wish the seat went lower and, although the steering wheel adjusts for rake and reach, it doesn't move particularly far in any direction.
-
Space & Practicality
Don't buy an i30 Estate thinking it'll swallow half of Ikea. Although the boot is a good size, rivals offer far more space. Still, there's a useful underfloor storage compartment, and the standard luggage net and hooks make securing loads easy. The i30 Estate's trump card is a huge amount of rear-seat space - plenty enough for lanky adults to stretch out in. There's lots of storage space dotted around the cabin, too.
-
Equipment
Don't confuse a bargain price with budget kit levels. Even the entry-level Comfort model comes with air-conditioning, CD/MP3 stereo, alloy wheels, four electric windows and electrically folding door mirrors. Range-topping Premium trim adds heated half-leather seats, climate control and reversing sensors.
Hyundai i30 Estate 1.6 CRDi Comfort (08-09) 5dr
With the right combination of price and equipment - plus a punchy diesel engine to haul it all along - this is our favourite i30 estate.
Read review
What Car?
is brought to you by
Haymarket Consumer MediaWhat Car? is part of Haymarket Motoring
© Haymarket Media Group 2010
