The Hyundai i30 is one of our favourite small hatches here at OVERSTEER. We like it for its dynamic nature and value-for-money appeal, as well as its swoopy looks. The wagon version is based on the same platform as the hatch – the previous generation had a longer wheelbase than the hatch version – so its dynamic nature is largely unchanged, but we are not so sure about the looks…
Outside
Likes: Carries over the i30 hatch’s good looks and sleek lines. Headlights are intricate and distinctive. Nice alloy wheel design. Handsome and with a hint of the sexy i40 wagon.
Dislikes: Designer seems to have lost interest once he got past the rear door handles. Rear bumper looks fat and awkward compared to the rest of the car. In profile it just looks like an i30 hatch with a fat arse and lacks the i40 wagon’s grace and subtlety…
Inside
Likes: Same interior as the hatch is no bad thing. Comfortable and well made. Great stereo with excellent iPod integration. Nice design. Loads of usable room in the back.
Dislikes: All a bit dark and dour, despite the nice design. Still a few areas where you come in contact with cheap, hard plastics.
Under the bonnet
Likes: 1.6-litre 94kW/260Nm diesel is a strong, frugal performer no matter how you drive it. Six-speed auto transmission is smooth and and quick.
Dislikes: Engine revs freely, but runs out of breath quickly, meaning passing moves need to be planned carefully.
On the road
Likes: Feels nicely planted and confident through corners, just like the hatch. Hangs on nicely, even on Korean tyres in the wet, which hasn’t traditionally been the case. Ride quality is impressive. Steering is nicely weighted in “Sport” mode.
Dislikes: But the other steering modes are too light and over-assisted and all modes – including “Sport” – lack feel.
Verdict
It is easy to sum up the Hyundai i30 wagon: it is basically the hatch with more room in the back. This is both accurate (they share the same platform and wheelbase) and a compliment, as the hatch is a good thing indeed. However, the dull, awkward design of the rear takes some of the hatch’s strong visual appeal away from the wagon. That’s fine when you are inside it, but you do have to get out of it eventually… While it doesn’t have the visual appeal of the hatch (or the sexy i40 wagon) it is still a good car with strong value-for-money appeal.
Price: $41,990
Engine: 1.6-litre inline four-cylinder diesel
Power/torque: 94kW/260Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
0-100km/h: n/a
Fuel consumption: 5.6L/100km
CO2 emissions: 147g/km
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