Buyers looking for a mid-size car under $28,000 are spoiled for choice, and there were more than 30 models in contention is this category.
But there can be only one winner, and that is the Hyundai i30.
Value for money has always been Hyundai’s strength, due to its policy of aggressive pricing, generous equipment levels, competitive running and repair costs and a still-impressive five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.
The i30 can claim these assets, along with solid, if not outstanding, on-road ability, plus the choice of petrol or diesel variants, with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.
There is little to split the volume-selling base model SX petrol and diesel variants, with the latter just seven points behind its petrol sibling.
The SX comes with driver and front passenger airbags, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake distribution, electronic stability control and traction control. However, it misses out on side airbags and curtain airbags, which are standard on the more expensive SLX and SR models.
Both SX variants, though, acquit themselves well in the area of security, where an immobiliser, alarm and active door locks are standard.
With a full-size, steel spare wheel, the i30 scores a big tick for practicality.
Pricing is critical in this category and here the petrol variant stands out, being $2500 cheaper than the diesel SX, so the cost of depreciation doesn't bite as hard.
The 1.6-litre diesel lacks the power of the 2.0-litre petrol engine, peaking with 85 kW @ 4000 rpm, compared with 105 kW @ 6000 rpm. But in the torque (pulling power) stakes, the pecking order is reversed, with the diesel claiming 255Nm @ 1900-2750 rpm, compared with the petrol’s 186 Nm @ 4600 rpm.
The manual diesel offers better fuel consumption (4.7 litres/100 km – the best in the category) than its petrol counterpart (7.2).
Regardless of engine type, the i30 feels sure-footed and the steering is reasonably well weighted.
The ride validates Hyundai’s claims that much testing was carried out under Australian conditions. Even over back roads, there’s a noticeable absence of jarring.
The brakes are also up to the job, transmitting a confident feel, with competent stopping power via ventilated front discs and solid discs at the rear.
The seats are comfortable, the interior roomy for a car of this size, and controls and equipment easy to understand and use.
The rear seat split-folds 60/40 and tumbles to form a flat cargo area, thereby adding to the five-door i30’s capabilities.
And tilt and reach steering adjustment is standard across the i30 range, a feature not found on several more expensive cars.
Hyundai’s build quality continues to improve, and the i30 examples evaluated were as good as, if not better than, some makes with long-established reputations.
2nd: Honda Civic VTI 4-door
3rd: Mitsubishi Lancer ES 4-door
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