Hyundai i30 - confident or boring?
Without a doubt, the days when you could laugh at Hyundai cars in the company of motorists are over. It's true: they weren't considered too durable, well-made, or out of the ordinary. Meanwhile, this is already in the past. However, is the Korean brand sure to get rid of all the features that repelled buyers? Hyundai has been supplying intelligent cars to the market for several years now. Well built with really good quality components, reliable and, above all, affordable. For the new Hyundai i30 to be the perfect car, it will also need a stylistic “note of madness”. However, is this a necessary condition for success?
A bit boring
When, standing in a crowded parking lot, we determine for sure that we have a new Hyundai i30 (resemblance to the Peugeot 308 might be a barrier), it's safe to start speculating whether this is really the latest offering in the C segment. The third generation of the model is stylistically different from its predecessor. There were no sharp cuts in the line of the body and the hood, strongly tilted forward. However, there was a class that was still lacking. New Hyundai i30 tries to prove that even everyday, ordinary and compact cars can represent class without pretending to be famous. What the designers succeeded most of all was the skillful balancing of the utilitarian nature of the car with a modest, not too flashy, but elegant body. The expression of the latter can be chrome strips surrounding the glass line and grille. This one, in turn, is made in gray tone and seems to set a new trend among the models of this manufacturer. The bodywork of the Hyundai i30 is not boring through and through, but far from defined: crazy, futuristic, unusual. What a pity.
… sober
In turn, getting behind the wheel, it is definitely worth appreciating the absence of the aforementioned stylistic note of craziness. After all, “packaging” is used to impress others, but the cabin is the realm of the driver, who is supposed to feel good and comfortable. These are definitely features of the i30's completely redesigned interior. This is a set of solutions that are already well known from other models and are strongly associated with the brand. There is nothing strange in this. This is one of the most pleasant cockpits in its segment (and not only). Despite the compact size of the car, the spaciousness in the cabin is impressive. This is partly due to the dashboard clearly shifted away from the driver towards the windshield. This procedure allows you to focus on the most important elements. This is a comfortable steering wheel with a thick rim, a high-positioned clock - classic, pleasing to the eye, and a central display. It may seem that the latter sticks out too high, interfering with the review, but there are no such problems while driving.
The only objection to the "control center" may be a bit archaic interface and low quality of the displayed picture. But the navigation system, known including the Kii models, deserves praise. Only the automatic selection of the map scale could work with greater certainty.
The seats surprise not only with the interesting and non-obvious color of the leather upholstery (very bright white and steel), but also with the driving comfort they provide. At first glance, they seem too flat, but they are quite suitable for medium-length hikes. They can be a bit narrow and you won't find better lateral support.
However, this is a typical everyday car and a simple, transparent and functional cockpit works well in this role. Small “highlights” also help: a panoramic roof or not only heating, but also ventilation of the seats. Not to be fooled, at this car's size, the back seat offers little more than a decent amount of space and comfortable, deep seats.
so hardworking!
Although both inside and out, the new Hyundai i30 falls into the category of simply reliable, well-made C-segment car, in terms of handling and performance it is much more suited to the top shelf of its rivals. The car we tested was equipped with a 1.4-liter petrol engine producing 140 hp. This unit was paired with a new addition to the Korean brand's offering: a 7-speed DCT dual-clutch transmission. And this is a configuration that can do a lot. It would seem that only 140 hp. in the most powerful "civilian" version of the new i30 it was not supposed to impress, but this is completely different. Regardless of performance and the 8,9-second-to-best figure, what matters most is the subjective driving experience. It's dynamic, smooth and, above all, stable. The car accelerates willingly, the transmission operates smoothly, and stability is ensured by friendly steering. In short: this is a car that does not require much attention while driving, while offering us complete control over it. Overall, it seems that the car works for the driver, giving him only the best - driving pleasure.
