The Hyundai i30 hatch was the car to prove that Korea has finally come of age in the automotive business. It gives nothing away to Japanese rivals such as the Subaru Impreza and Toyota Corolla on quality while offering superior value for money. Now we have the i30 cw wagon lineup and the bar has been raised again.
One small detail shows how hard Hyundai is trying. The i30 hatch made its Australian debut in October 2007. But the cw models now have the side indicator lights neatly incorporated into the exterior mirrors, which must have been an expensive detail.
Simply, these compact wagons tick more boxes than any other car in the sub-$30K segment. Diesel engine, automatic transmission, air-conditioning, extra space for carrying people and luggage, stability control, traction control, six airbags, roof racks and even leather trim in the special launch edition Sportswagon: that is a big load of boxes. All wagons cost $1500 more than their hatch counterparts but add about 1.5 mm for every dollar and almost one cubic litre of luggage space with the rear seat folded (1395 in the wagon compared with 1250 in the hatch). Some of the extra length goes into the rear compartment, improving legroom. The industry-leading five-year unlimited kilometre warranty is another important box to tick.
There are plenty of surprises including a chilled glovebox and rear parking sensors on the up-spec models. The software built into the sound system recognises your iPod or USB when you plug it in. There is even a special iPod holder. The spare tyre is a full-size wheel identical with the other four, which are alloy on all but the entry model and very smart 17-inchers with chrome inserts on the Sportswagon. A cargo cover and soft mesh net are both standard, as is a soft divider. A heavy-duty item is optional.
Buyers have already rushed the hatch, which was in short supply at times. Something like 45 per cent chose diesel versions. The cw will see a significant sales boost and it will be interesting to see whether the petrol/diesel ratio is similar.
The test case is the petrol-only Sportswagon. Available only with automatic transmission, it just sneaks below the $30K barrier at $29,990. But if demand is strong, we may yet see a diesel version, which would cost just $500 more. As it is, the SLX diesel automatic costs $29,890. Obviously Hyundai’s marketing people perceive $30K as the upper limit for now for any i30, at least before options and accessories are dialled into the total.
The engines are unchanged. You choose between the 2.0-litre petrol which makes a handy 105 kW of power and the torquey (255 Nm all the way from 1900 to 2750 rpm) 1.6-litre turbodiesel. The latter is rated at 4.9 litres per 100 kilometres, with remarkably low emissions for a diesel. Both engines offer lively performance with the additional weight of the wagon barely evident. The diesel has the lowest CO2 emissions of any wagon in Australia. Transmission choice is between a five-speed manual (not offered on the Sportswagon) and a rather old-fashioned four-speed automatic transmission, which is one of very few thumbs-down for the i30.
Dynamics, too, are similar to those of the hatch, which is to say very good. The steering feel is a touch light to please enthusiasts but the vehicle feels very well planted on the road and turns into corners eagerly. You are never conscious of driving a wagon until perhaps you unload all the gear you have managed to squeeze into it. Hyundai executives suggest this newcomer represents a great alternative to a compact SUV for those many customers who will never need all-wheel drive.
The interior is stylishly done with good quality materials. As for the exterior, the German stylists have turned the pretty hatch into an equally attractive wagon. Park the two side by side and they make an elegant couple.
In summary, my pick would be the extraordinarily well specified Sportswagon with its lovely charcoal leather seats and flash alloys. I cannot think of any vehicle in the market that offers better value for money and there certainly isn’t one at $29,990.
Thumbs-up:
Great value diesel, stylish Sportswagon with leather, unlimited km five-year warranty
Thumbs-down:
Lacks steering feel, old-fashioned four-speed automatic transmission
