HYUNDAI I30 HATCHBACK REVIEW

My car

Since my last review I have had no problems, and car is going well

On a recent 400 mile round trip, I did one stretch of around 100 miles averaging 60MPH, and I got 69 to the gallon, even with the air-con on. That was impressive.

Car is comfortable on long trips, so well done Hyundai

My car

A great car to own. It is very quiet at motorway speeds and economical. It can be a bit bouncy in town with the stiff suspension. I had the suspension looked at twice since I bought the car in Novenber last year due to knocking from one wheel. A known fault with this model. The car is only a year and half old. Would I reconmend the car? A good alternative to a BMW, without the snob value, but better value and equipement.

My car

I bought this car 4 months ago when it was 6 months old with almost 6000 miles on the clock. It cost £10k which is about £3k off the price when new.

Overall, it is a very smooth car to drive with a very light clutch and excellent brakes. It is comfortable and really, it does everything it is asked to do and it does it very well. I know What Car gives it a 3* rating and I guess that's about right, although it could be pushed to 4 stars if the running costs were better.

It's advertised in all the motor magazines as returning on average 43mpg but in the time I have owned it, I just cannot get it above 39mpg and I do not have a lead foot. I know othere makes and models also struggle to return the manufactures figures but the very smooth salesman [Aren't they always !] assured me I would get 43mpg.

Further to this, my main gripe for not giving it anything more than 3 stars is because I feel the running costs are not as cheap as all the motoring journalists print. Take the servicing.The first and third years are relatively cheap but I cannot believe that my 2nd year service is going to cost me approximately £236 yet when I read in some motor magazines, a 5 year service package for an Audi A1 is ONLY £250 and a 5 year [50,000 miles] service package for a BMW Mini is ONLY £200. Mine is only a simple 1.6 petrol engine.

Due to the running costs, I give it 3 stars only and will probably be the last Hyundai I park on my driveway.

My car

We Hyundai drivers must be the smuggest motorists in Britain, my previous car was a Santa Fe so I know the feeling well.

Ok so we've only had our i30 a few weeks but just like the Santa Fe, I knew during the test drive that this was going to be the car we'd buy.The engine is really responsive, the ride very smooth and composed and the handling tight. The interior feels very well put together and looks great, especially the blue lighting. Comments about the bland plastic is a bit of a cheap shot these days considering the competition....every car had a wall of plastic inside.There's loads of interior space too and the i-pod connections. The "bland" exterior is a bit unfair too as most people think it's a BMW 1 series from the side and several have commented on the sporty look (Edition kit). It is also supposed to achieve 60mpg and C02 of 119kg means only £35 a year tax. It was also cheap to buy (11k)and £20 per month cheaper to insure. Hope all goes well with it, if not, i wont be too bothered as it comes with a 5 year warranty.

Dont worry about the badge anymore. This is an excellent car.