2008 Hyundai i30 First Steer
October 2, 2007 by Anthony Crawford
2008 Hyundai i30 First Steer
“No, it’s not a new Sports version of the A Class Mercedes-Benz or a new a variant of BMW’s 1-Series. It’s the new i30 from Hyundai and we reckon they’re going to sell like hotcakes”
If you’ve never thought of owning a Hyundai motor car before today, you might want to take little looksee at the i30 hatch from the award winning Korean car company.
Awards you say? Yes, stacks of them. German Auto Zeitung Magazine in it’s “2006 Qualitats Report” voted Hyundai “Most Reliable Brand”, The exhaustive JD Power & Associates Initial Quality Study: ranked the carmaker 3rd among all nameplates behind Porsche and Lexus and in Australia, reliability and cost of ownership have brought Hyundai a host of accolades from the likes of Wheels Magazine and NRMA.
The small car market is the toughest sector in the world to compete in with just on 37% of all cars sold slotting in to this category. Hyundai needed to produce an exceptional car to have a half a chance with products such as the recently launched Mitsubishi Lancer.
My guess is they have succeeded. I’m betting that the i30 will go straight to the top of the charts and yes that’s a big call, but the combination of styling, materials, equipment, drivability and affordability, are of a level not yet seen in this category, to my knowledge at least.
There are three spec levels on offer; SX, SLX and SR powered by a 2.0 CVVT petrol unit mated to either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed auto transmission. And if you are diesel savvy, you’ll be exceptionally pleased with the 1.6 CRDi powered i30 and its hill demolishing 255Nm of torque.
At this stage the CRDi is only available with a 5-speed manual box and in SX and SLX trim levels. We’re told a 4-Speed auto is literally around the corner and will be available from late December/early January.
I sure would like to see an SR badge with the CRDi though or better still – a proper high performance version of both engine variants in the not too distant future.
You can’t help but like the way this car looks. There’s a lot more Euro styling than there is Korean in the i30, and it shows.
The well sorted Volkswagen Golf, Mazda 3 and Ford Focus are said to have served as the benchmark vehicles for the i30, but as far as I’m concerned, they threw in an A-Class and a 1 Series for good measure.
The result is one very good-looking hatch, inside and out.
It’s a well thought out car inside too. For starters there’s an iPod interface allowing you to plug your MP3 directly into the car’s sound system. And you won’t even need a USB cord. Every i30 comes with one in the centre console. Not only that. The car’s audio head unit can control both volume and playlists – a huge plus and not available in many prestige cars.
The standard fit remote folding key fob looks remarkably similar to that found across the Volkswagen range and is a nice touch.
The driver and front passenger seats are particularly good, offering comfort and sports style side bolster. A massive improvement over the Elantra.
Steering is both height and reach adjustable, which in my book, is essential if you are to find the perfect driving position. The SLX and SR versions win a nice thick leather wrapped steering wheel, while the base model SX gets not so handsome plastic model which looks worse than it is to hold.
With over twenty storage compartments throughout the i30 – a family of four is well catered for, including an air-conditioned glovebox, able to chill at least two bottles or cans.
Air conditioning with Pollen filter is standard as are a host of other features such as; power windows and mirrors (heated), ABS with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), driver and front passenger airbags with Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and Traction Control (TCS) standard on the SR but optional on both the SX and SLX.
On the SX – you would need to go with the SX Protectz safety pack, which includes driver and front passenger side and curtain airbags. With the SLX, you would only need to option ESP with TCS, as the full compliment of airbags is standard fitment.
First off the rank was the 2.0 CCVT petrol SLX with the 4 –speed auto and running on 16-inch alloys shod with 205/55 tyres.
With 105kW peaking at 6000rpm and 186Nm of torque at 4600rpm it’s not the most powerful in class and as a result, it needs to work hard from a standard start. Once moving and into third gear, it’s a much more pleasant drive. The engine note adopts a relatively quiet composure but with plenty of go for highway cruising.
The car feels incredibly well planted while the steering weight is near perfect. Suspension has been tweaked by a world renowned handling and ride guru, who carried out substantial testing on Australian roads which I’ve been reminded, are far worse than the UK’s much criticised “B” roads.
Even over bitumen starved roads there’s no jarring through the car’s body whatsoever. All bumps and potholes are largely eliminated with this suspension setup.
We gave the i30 a little punt through a nice twisty stretch and just to see if the guru had done his/her job. Yes, in a word. The balance between between ride and handling is spot on.
The brakes are also worth a mention. The pedal feel is confident with excellent stopping power via ventilated front discs and solids at the rear.
We were itching to get behind the wheel of the 1.6 CRDi and all good things come to those that wait.
First off – buy the diesel. Yes, there’s a premium of $2500 over the equivalent petrol car but the increased driveability and low down performance of the diesel, is worth every dollar.
And if we’re talking fuel consumption – it’s a no contest. While the 2.0 petrol isn’t bad at 7.2-l/100km, how’s 4.7-l/100km sound!
• i30 SX 2.0 Petrol manual – $18,990
• i30 SX 2.0 Petrol auto – 20,990
• i30 SX CRDi man only – $21,490
• i30 SLX 2.0 Petrol man – $23,490
• i30 SLX 2.0 Petrol auto – $25,490
• i30 SLX CRDi man only – $25,990
• i30 SR 2.0 Petrol man $26,490
• i30 SR 2.0 auto – $28,490
“Hyundai is backing a winner with the i30 – and we can’t wait for the CRDi Auto”
BY: Anthony Crawford
Print it: 
The i 30 I purchased ie a great car and goes very well, BUT! It came with only one security key and is my wife peeved. Also think of the consequences if the only key gets lost, broken, flat battery etc Could take a couple of weeks to get a replacement with the car parked goodness knows where. They tell me a replacement costs over $400 Surely Hyundai can do better than that? as this is the only new car I have purchased that comes with one key! In fact this has soured the deal for me
Dave
Ickie icks! Dave, have you tried writing to Hyundai Australia? It’s hard to believe a key is a nineteen thousandth of the car’s cost. Demand action! Or word shall spread!
Looking for a new car for my wife to replace her 5 year old Golf 1.6 Auto. We have been disappointed with the numerous problems we’ve had with it, not to mention having to have major parts of the transmission replaced (over $5,000 – lucky we had an extended warranty). We won’t be buying another VW. We had narrowed our search to the Honda Civic and Mazda 3 but took an i30 out last weekend. Now we’re confused as we were both surprised – can this be an Hyundai? It is surprisingly good. Looking at the base SX with auto. Can anyone recommend a good dealer in the south Brisbane/Gold Coast area? I’ll remember to ask about the key!
NO ESP with i30SLX. One would believe from the TV ad of a Hyundai self dodging a big truck, because of its ESP, that this is on all new Hyundais. The ad stating Hyundai is so GENEROUS.
However I was dissapointed that my new SLX does not have ESP and was advised of the small print, ie that ESP is available across the range. That is the catch AVAILABLE!if you pay! except on the pricy top of the range SR i30
NO ESP with i30SLX. One would believe from the TV ad of a Hyundai self dodging a big truck, because of its ESP, that ESP is on all new Hyundais. The ad stating Hyundai is so GENEROUS.
However I was dissapointed that my new SLX does not have ESP and was advised of the small print, ie that ESP is available across the range. That is the catch AVAILABLE!if you pay! except on the pricy top of the range SR i30
However othwise exept for no ESP and only one security key,I am extremely pleased with the cars comfort and performance.
regards from Dave
Does anyone have a i30 CRDi? and could you please tell me how much did it cost? I’ve been trying to get my convince my gf that the i30 will be a good choice but she wants the mazda2 stating that u can get he genki for the price of the i30 CRDi SX…and the worse part is everyone around her have been telling her to stay away from hundai…give me some strong debatable points pls…anyone…how cheap can u get a i30 CRDi for?
I got up close and sat in one on the weekend. The car looks great, feels comfortable but I can’t get past the ugly and un-upgradeable headunit ( stereo / radio ). I couldn’t bear to look at the integrated dash board which locks you into someone else’s choice.
Car manufactures try but always fall about 5+ years behind in this area. Whoopee a 3.5mm input jack, I remember headunits back in the early 90’s with an input on the face, now they have an iPod plug… but I don’t own an iPod.
I can’t remove it, I want choice, I want to move with technology. I want a double din DVD head unit with bluetooth, sat nav, I want to be able to move with new formats MP3, WMA AAC HD or Satellite Radio when it takes off.
Not to mention how much a replacement OEM unit would cost when it fails…after a few years. I bet you’ll be paying $00’s for technology that’s decades behind.
Everything else in is great. If the change the dash I’ll be interested, until them I’ll be looking elsewhere. Maybe if they can squeeze in a single din pocket in the dash, that way I can at least get most of the features I want.
The drivers seat is a bit uncomfortable! My backside can feel a ridge or two underneath and wonder if anyone else has felt that?
I have the same problem with my back when im driving my i30.such good car but still……
I just paid $26000 for i30 SX CRDi auto with protectz.
There was some debate about the worth of ESP. If it is going to be compulsory on new cars in Aus in 2010 then it must be worthwhile. Spend the money on safety, not alloys!
Plus, I went to dealer in Geelong – nice bloke, not pushy and fake like the others.
Does anyone knows if the front and rear skirts are available? I am still waiting for it but not luck.
Can anyone tell me if the oil filter of the i30 petrol is the same as an Elantra. The i30 does not have a listing by the big local filter maker here.
Looked under the font of the car but no see! Must be at the rear of the engine and no doubt hard to get at?
took the i30 CRDi manual out for a test drive, having wiped my previous slate on hyundai clean, and must say that for the price tag it really didn’t reach my standards – the auto could be a different story but changing gears felt like trying to rip up concrete! it was like i was competing with the gearbox – a smooth ride but changing gears an absolute pain! the accelerator felt sluggish and unresponsive to begin with, the front was spacious but my passengers found the back cramped (more so than the others i’ve driven), and overall unfortunately my opinion on hyundais remains the same.
apart from safety, quietness comfort security etc, enjoying actually driving the thing, i feel, counts for alot too!
Lentil…
We have over 120 members at
http://www.i30ownersclub.com
who can’t say enough good things about their i30’s
Crdi.. Sluggish and unresponsive (I don’t think so)
The gearbox can be a bit notchy when new but soon loosens up!
Hello guys this is Marcus from Holland.
I drive a Kia Cee’d SW but I think a Hyundai i30
is marvellous too.
Let’s not play cat & mouse, we drive a car because
we like that one and not our neighbours.
My kindest regards from Holland.
Marcus. :)
im test driving the i30 crdi tomorrow and want to get some opinions on whether the slx is worth the extra money???
also what price do you think i could get the slx crdi driveaway for???
I put a deposit on SR model 7th July – and still dont have the car. Dealer is now saying it could be October but they dont know exactly. Apparently there are no BLACK SR models in the state of Vic !
Have a Astra SRI this weekend for test drive its a year old and similar price -$1K more – I need help in deciding what car to buy???
drove my last elantra to 300,000 km and its still going. my new i30 diesel rocks. nothing wrong with hyundai reliability and now a bit funky as well!
Its real simple, anyone in the market for a sub medium hatch should buy an i30! case cloased. All other manufatures are depending on reputations of old to sell there cars and bag out Hyundai. Best cars, best features, best build quality, best warranty, first to make technology affordable (esp) best prices.
I read many different reviews before and after buying my SX CRDi.
I have heard it compared favourably with A Subaru Impreza, but with half the running costs!
I looked at Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic, but neither had the option of ESP. Peugeot 307 was so much more expensive, and way behind in reliability surveys. Holden Astra was more expensive to maintain.
Mitsubishi Lancer also had a five year warranty, but not fuel efficient.
The Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf were more expensive.
I loved the design and safety of the Mercedes A-Class, but the owner reviews were terrible, not designed for rough roads.
The Hyundai CRDi i30 beat a Toyota Prius in an economy run – Hybrids are great in the city, but for highway driving, diesels are more economical.
Also the i30 was engineered for Australian roads, one even beat a Porsche 911 in the recent Targa Rally in WA.
It really is a driver’s car, I have driven it on dirt roads, winding mountain roads, and it handles very well.
There is a big price difference between the SX CRDi and SLX CRDi, but both now come with ESP. How much is your life worth?
For 2009 now std. with TCS and ESP for only $400 more
We took the i30 SLX 1.6 CRDi for a run today. I must say we were very impressed. What a great little car. Yesterday we took a Corolla Levin ZR for a run. I thought it would have a lot more power and I was quite disappointed. The i30 would leave the Corolla (and others) for dead. I have had Toyotas for the last 15 or so years, but I am now very, very tempted to jump ship and buy the i30 SLX CRDi.
Guys, I just want to say thanks to you all for all the comments (and thanks for the review itself) – helped me a lot with making a decision on my purchase, and comparing vehicles – and I’ll be looking up your site shortly Dazz. Cheers.
Hi Pete (and Others)
We’ve got over 340 “Mostly” Happy Members at
http://www.i30ownersclub.com now…
Looks, equipment, price, quality – I give it both thumbs up.
However i notice it’s lacking a Diesel SR model and its a large deterrent for me as you miss out on the better stereo the SR has if you buy the CRDi SLX and the much better looks.
Stoney!
Purchased a new car recently a focus diesel for my SO.
Second was i30 diesel by a bees dick.
(i30 lost out due to no factory cruise control and the smaller diesel 1.6L
Without a doubt buy an i30, has it over the focus,astra,viva,mazda
Rant about new 2008 focus follows…
newer, much quieter engine in i30,
No droning from the exhaust under load, eg 5/6 gear acceleration.
Much better seating (position and quality) and steering in i30.
sound deadening actually works in i30
stereo picks up 91.1 abc country located in Essendon in an i30.
Not like the shit reception of the focus radio.
No wind through the rear passenger door seals at 100km.
Focus feels like a smaller version of a falcon, heaps of body roll, long body and huge turning circle.
Focus has crazy torque steer when accelerating and is scary uphill on tight bends. Even worse on slightly wet and muddy run off from side of road, add the body roll and shit factory tires.
Add to that the useless amount of turbo lag.
Have had a few scares where I have gone to accelerate away from a give way sign and the turbo has not spooled up properly and it sits there slowly dawdling out in to the intersection, turbo catches up just in time to whisk you away.
The complete piece of crap gear box of the focus.
Or you go to flick it down from 5->3 and the box allow you to dump it straight in to 1st gear. Passengers flung forward engine screaming out.
No feeling what so ever in the gear box.
Engine speed up from 850 to 1000 rpm that catches you unawares every now and again and lurches you forward.
Usually when cruising to a stop in 3rd and it prevents engine from stalling and proceeds to pull the car back up to 20kmhr.)
Hyundai Essendon were going to chuck in upgraded stereo, alloy wheels, a tow pack, mud guards, an heavier moulded boot liner after market cruise control and metallic paint for 21K (early december 2008 price).
2008 Ford focus not so great and the focus is boring as bat shit to drive.
My i30 SLX 1.6 CRDi manual arrived on Saturday. I love it, love it, love it. 30 Something (comment January 8th) – my i30 came with factory cruise on the steering wheel as well as audio controls on the steering wheel. It also came with all the airbags, traction control and stability control standard. It is sooo comfortable to drive – I could drive it all day, and dare I say, even drive it to Perth and back no worries – a total of 2360km. For a front-wheel drive it is surprisingly quiet on the road. I bought it through a place I found on the internet. They deal with dealerships all over Aussie and can get you a great deal because they might order 6 or 7 of a particular model in one go. I got mine with rear spoiler (cos I think it looks nice), tint, dash mat, floor mats and cargo mat, full tank of fuel, all on road costs and delivered to my door for around $29,500. The dealership where we took the i30 for a test drive in October wanted $30,500 plus freight (another $1000 or so) and they would have probably put one cup of fuel in the tank. I would have liked the SR if it was available in diesel, but it would be a noisy little bugger on the road with 17″ wheels and low-profile tyres. So far I am happy, happy.
i30 beat 911 HAHAHA. It might be a nice little car but please don’t make us laugh.
After all the excitement, go back to the feature and you know that base model don’t have:
curtain airbag
side airbag
cruise control
and so on.
Add up and it gets more expensive than Lancer or Impreza.
I think i30 is not any better than Cerato – only 5K more expensive. i understood that the new cerato has yet to be tested by ANCAP. May end up bagging more points than i30.
I just picked up my new i30 SLX the other day. I spoke to the dealer about previous people only getting one key. This was an issue when the model was first released but for the past 10 months or so all new i30’s have had 2 keys. He says that if you contact Hyundai Australia they will give you another key free of charge.
The only complaint that i have is the fuel economy testing.
I have the SLX 1.6L CDRI which is tested to 4.7L/100km…I never expected to get this as i know i drive a bit pedal to the metal but expected to get around 6-6.5L/100km…..I hope this improves as the engine loosens up a bit. Apart from that excellent car!
Alcay
You didn’t tell us the economy you are getting now.. what is it?
I’m getting about 7.1L/100km at the moment and its now done about 1000km’s…
Can anyone tell me about its safety details. I am very concerned but interested in this car. I also want to know about ford and holden car safety compared to this car also. Please help me! cheers
Hi Jeff,
Come and visit…
http://www.i30ownersclub.com
You too Alcay…
We should be able to help both of you :-)
Picked up a 2009 SLX 2.0L Auto for 25500 and it included tinted windows, floor mats, windshields, headlight protectors.
@Alcay^
The i30 in diesel/auto combo suxz fuel.
The manual is frugal but the auto hardly does any better than a petrol i30/auto and thats $2500 cheaper
Silly choice, NO savings to be had.
What about a i30 on LPG?
Seen a tiny Daewoo Matiz on LPG so a i30 is a giant after that!
Interested in getting an i30, the proprietary stereo console is the only thing that worries me about the i30. Does the standard i30 Comfort model’s stereo system actually have any bass to speak of? Coming from a Vauxhall Vectra which has great speakers, you see.
Hey folks. Commenting from North America where the i30 has been released as the Elantra Touring. Getting very good press. Hyundai has really come a long way (Korea is now widely known as a country that takes great pride in the products it produces).I’m thinking very seriously about buying one. One thing I noticed in some of the reviews is that it’s not so fast from a dead start but when it gets up to speed the ride really smooths out and becomes a great highway cruiser. Any comments on how the i30( Touring) compares to the Mazda hatchback?