2008 Hyundai i30 CRDi Auto First Steer
4 Jul, 2008
36 Comments 
2008 Hyundai i30 CRDi Auto First Steer
“For my money, Hyundai’s i30 is one of the most exciting small cars on the market today. With the introduction of the CRDi automatic, global sales of the i30 will skyrocket”
- words and photography by Anthony Crawford
It’s been a while since l attended the Australian launch of Hyundai’s (pronounced – hee-unday) own smart car – the i30, and I had forgotten just how good this car really is.
When you add a common rail diesel with an automatic box to the range, what you get is an incredibly attractive proposition for new car buyers looking for the most complete four-wheel package available today in the small car segment.
And I’m not talking about the tricked up, top end SLX CRDi auto, which retails for $27,990, just the base model 1.6 SX CRDi auto at $23,490.
However, there is still a $2000 premium over the manual transmission diesel with the same spec, and frankly, it’s about time that all manufacturers selling cars in Australia, got with the program (as has the been the game plan in the US for the last thirty-five years) and provided an automatic transmission as a no cost option. The economy of scale would have to favour the auto box these days and therefore, make this possible.
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(9 votes, average: 3.56 out of 5)
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not including dealer delievery taxes... by Markie is BORED
July 4th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Congratulations on an honest, unbiased, and enlightened review. Who’d ever thought Hyundai would get it that right? Well done all round, this looks like the car I’d recommend to my daughter.
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July 4th, 2008 at 11:27 am
no mention of safety equipment… if it was loaded up with airbags/ESP etc, it’d make a good economical daily driver… and allow me to blow more fuel driving the weekend car…
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July 4th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Greenroom.
“this looks like the car I’d recommend to my daughter”
What kind of car do you drive? This sounds like a great car for everyone.
I know I have knocked Hyundai in the past but the i30 is changing the way I look at Korean cars.
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July 4th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Just borrowed a friends new one last weekend while they were away… have to say its everything and more. I moved a flat full of furniture with no hassles at all, I did about 10 trips back and forward across sydney and I wear the needle didnt move at all.
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July 4th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Ok, this car is good and i like it BUT….
Is this website sponsored by Hyundai ?
Does this website favour Hyundai because they make their cars available to you more than other brands?
I have read many uncritical posts about Hyundai vehicles on this website. SHOULD I BE WORRIED ? Please tell me you are unbiased.
PS: The comment about the fuel needle not moving is a joke. Car manufacturers make the needle inaccurate so that you think you have a full tank when you have a 90 or 80% fuel load in reality. If you didn’t know this you are naive.
PPS: Love the website
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July 4th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Greenroom,
I just spotted on another post that you drive a VW TDI. A great choice. I was not sure if you were the kind of guy that thought this was a girly car. I now see that you have excellent taste in cars.
My pet peeve is that the average Australian male see cars like this as girly and have a tendency to drive large V6/V8 engined cars even if they have no need for such a vehicle.
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July 4th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Will definitely have to go and test drive one now….you have me intrigued…??
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July 4th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Tony, have you driven any Hyundais lately? They are not the mid 90s Excels anymore. They are very good cars now.
I would say they are getting up near Toyota in all facets of their cars. They look better for one and Toyota doesn’t have the warranty that Hyundai offer.
And who cares if Hyundai make their cars more available than other manufacturers, the CarAdvice team seem to speak their minds at all times and don’t seem to be swayed by this. Hyundai is on a quest to be the equal (or better) than Toyota so getting their name out there is important.
And I think Hyundai is giving out their cars for review more than other manufacturer because they believe in what they make.
NOTE: I have no affiliation to Hyundai in any way. I drive two Subarus. My wife used to have an 87 Excel which was a piece of crap.
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July 4th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
I have had an I30 crdi manual since the day before Anzac Day, and have not had a fault with it, and do not hesitate to reccommmend it! I get at keast 800km out of the tank, and should get close to (if not more than) 1000km this tank around.
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July 4th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Well Done Hyundai! This car offers everything you’d need these days for a daily driver, and more. It even looks great. I agree that Hyundai and other car manufacturers should look at restructuring their pricing on diesel cars especially now that the Federal Government and oil companies are charging diesel vehicle users a premium. How ironic; there’s now alot more diesel powered vehicles on Australian roads today and the price of diesel is rising. What happened to the good old days when diesel was 20 cents per litre cheaper that petrol? Isn’t diesel cheaper to refine than petrol. I think its all one big Rort!! for the diesel consumer.
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July 4th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
CarAdvice, you are absolutley right about Autos being a no cost option. There should at least be exemptions for some. For instance, my mother has an artificial leg and she has to drive an auto because she cant operate a clutch but when she buys a new car she still needs to spend that extra money on an Auto. And some people just dont like manuals but want a new car and cant afford the Automatic. And Tony - what do you mean Hyundai are making is easier for CarAdvice to get a hold of their cars? Looking down the review page it doesnt look like Aston Martin made it too hard or Land Rover. Maybe Hyundais just arnt bad cars anymore?
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July 4th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
What a very good unbiased article that makes it harder to decide whether to buy a manual or auto version. Personally, I have only ever owned manuals before but am very seriously considering an automatic next time & this i30 CRDI is just what I need with ever increasing fuel prices. Congratulations must also go to Hyundai for producing very good quality cars now & it is hard to fault any models they have in their current range.
Cheers !
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July 4th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Hi Jimbo
I’d prefer my daughter in a Golf, but just a few too many dollars yet. Yep, I’m a fan of TDI just can’t believe kms I get. I said a few times I’ve got down to 4.5 litres per 100 on Sydney Melbourne runs. Just the fact you don’t have to stop 3 times a week for fuel is enough to enjoy it.
Anyhow Jimbo, I’m looking forward to driving the Skoda RS TDI.
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July 4th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Sounds like another brilliant car from HI YOON DIE and if they bring out here their LPG hybrid there should be something for everyone! good job Hyundai keep it up you’re catching Toyota at a rate of knots!
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July 4th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Where’s our mate Luke GT/ Dingo? Ready to educate us with: It looks like a Corolla/without the resale/Hyundai dont win Nascar/or any other irrelevant arguement that he may come up with.
But…back to the point
Personally, I cant stand Korean cars. (I’ve been there and seen how they’re built - long story) They dont make drivers cars, nor do they make appealing cars.
But, I respect what they are trying to do and with great subjective articles like this starting to become more common I believe they will be a major, major player in the coming years.
They have just proven they can build a better car than the corolla…cant wait for them to put a Ute on the market here (As long as its not another re-skinned Mitsubishi)
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July 4th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Fenno, why are you asking for him?
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July 4th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
So…. the manual is better but if you *must* have an auto?
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July 4th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Just drive one, preferably the manual. I don’t think ANYONE else makes a car like this. It blows the TDi Focus out of the water. Don’t believe it… GO DRIVE ONE! You may not be a supporter… but drive one, I guarantee it will surprise you.
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July 5th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
The Ford Focus blows Hi_un_die CRuD out of the water, “GO DRIVE ONE” you will be amazed…
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July 5th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Apparently journalists recieve a free Ipod from Hyundai when they review this car. If you don’t accept the Ipod you don’t get the car.
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July 5th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
CA - Is this true?
Golfschwien…Sorry mate. I was ready for trouble.
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July 5th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Manufacturers have included all sorts of things in press packs since the beginning of time. Bomber jackets, pens, books, sunglasses, you name it.
Hyundai once famously offered a new Sonata at half price to journos and a good half dozen or so put their hands in the air. If you’re a good journo, you’ll either declare it, offer it or simply not be swayed by it.
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July 6th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Don’t you think it looks a little bit like Focus? Maybe I’ll go and test one. I will never buy one. Just for fun. To see what is capable of. Reading all the specification, is not a bad car.
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July 7th, 2008 at 10:53 am
OK, OK, OK
This is to you, Anthony Crawford !
Let’s get the truth, once and for all.
SIMPLE QUESTIONS :
1. What did you or caradvice.com get to review this car?
2. Did you say to a reader that you could possibly sue them?
3. What is the relationship between Hyundai and Caradvice.com.
The i30 is a good car. That is not the point. i want to read reviews that are unbiased. Can i do that on this website?
Thanks Anthony, i will await your response.
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July 7th, 2008 at 10:57 am
Phillip, it would be great if you had anything intelligent to say about the car. Not sure if you are even interested in cars as your comment doesn’t relate to the topic in the slightest.
Many manufacturers have used a low priced Apple Nano’s as a means of distributing press kits and video content at car launches.
It makes a whole lot of sense to me, as it saves a whole lot of trees in terms of the thousands of pages that would need to be printed, instead of delivering the content electronically.
Again, your opinions on the cars we review are more than welcome. Your accusatory comments would be best directed at a site such as crickey!
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July 7th, 2008 at 11:04 am
Tony, we are the only independent auto website in the top 10 in Australia. We are not driven by advertising - just a burning passion for CARS.
If we were ever offered a gift to review a car - it would not be reviewed, period.
Hyundai are building some damn fine cars and we don’t mind reporting that.
If you have read the review properly, you will also read at least two paragraphs on what I don’t like.
Hope this addresses your concerns.
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July 7th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Do you give the Nano’s back then? Otherwise you’d be going against the “If we were ever offered a gift to review a car - it would not be reviewed, period.” rule you just mentioned. And as if using multiple iPod’s would be more environmentally friendly than using paper, unless of course they were used many times by the manufacturer.
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July 7th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Tony, you can be sure that if it has a Toyota badge Anthony Crawford will love it!!
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July 7th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Bruce, I’m assuming you’re another goat who has no interest in cars but likes to comment on anything from mental health to Goldfish.
Good luck son
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July 7th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Is there a reason the question about handing back the Nanos was ignored?
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July 7th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Gee,like a bloody ipod nano is really going to influence a review!!!
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July 7th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
By the way good review as usual!!!!
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July 7th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Gee Bruce u need to get over it mate!
I got a free pen at my last training course. If that makes me a hoe so be it!Ha Ha Ha.
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July 9th, 2008 at 4:12 am
Hello everyone!
Just an avid motor fan surfing the web on motoring news.
I’ve been a toyota fan most of my life (mainly because of reliability), however the new hyundais have been catching my eyes..
I’ve got to say, I believed in most of the reviews from wheels mag..etc etc…speaking of s#$t korean quality cars..but you know..if you guys want to talk about s#$t cars..look at our fords and commies..I think we aussies need to start judging our cars with our heads and not with our hearts…
this i30 proves that hyundai cars are superior than we are currently assuming they are…3.9mil - 50k = 3.85mil customers can’t be that wrong right??? right???
mr anthony crawford…thank you for your unbiased review…something i’ve never seen in a very long while…
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July 29th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
holy heck some people are a bit dudded! i currently own a hyundai elantra 03 and have nothing but good things to say about it ,my other half and i test drove the i30 and the terracan,both good cars but we also tested the vw jetta turbo diesel unfort we loved the jetta ,but we would buy any of these cars at the drop of hat if we could afford them all,good job on the report tony
keep up the good work mate .
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July 30th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
The i30 is a pretty good car, apart from why did the article quote the 4.7l/100km of the manual rather than the 6l/100km for the auto. With the current price of diesel compared to petrol, it equates to about 7.2 l/100km, thus it is more or less equivalent to petrol in terms of cost effectiveness.
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