Hyundai i30 UK Details

(Tuesday 24 January 2012)

Described as the New Generation model, the second hatchback to bear the Hyundai i30 badge goes on sale in the UK on March 12, priced from £14,495.

There are four trim levels, and all of them (including the cheapest, called Classic) have voice-activated Bluetooth, LED daytime running lights, a multifunction steering wheel, one-touch indicators, heated door mirrors and Hill Start Assist. Active models also get 15" alloy wheels, cruise control, rear parking sensors and Hyundai's Flex Steer system which gives drivers a choice of three modes called Comfort, Normal and Sport.

Style models have 16" alloys, dual-zone climate control air-conditioning, front parking sensors, cornering lights, automatic headlights and wipers, automatic windscreen demist and electrically folding door mirrors with LED indicators. Style Nav is the same as Style except that, for an extra £1000, you also get touchscreen satellite navigation and a reversing camera.

The i30 is available with 99bhp 1.4-litre and 118bhp 1.6-litre petrol engines (the latter offered only with automatic transmission and in the Active trim level) and three diesels - an 89bhp 1.4 and a 1.6 producing either 109bhp or 126bhp.

You might think that the 1.4 diesel would be the most economical, and in the real world it might be. On the official EU cycle, though, both the 1.6s beat it (assuming they have manual transmission, though automatic is an option on the less powerful one). They are also ahead of CO2 emissions, being rated at 97g/km and 100g/km respectively. Both are therefore exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty and the London congestion charge.

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