Pleasant Surprise - Hyundai i30 (2007-)
Attractive prices, attractive design, good finishes and affordable powertrains. Not surprisingly, the Korean CD was successful. Of course, the interest in the model was not accidental. Hyundai i30 was designed by Europeans for Europeans. The production process was also partially carried out on the territory of the Old Continent.
The debut of Kia cee took place at the Paris Motor Show in 2006. The car fascinated the public with a very favorable price / quality ratio. At that time, the finishing touches were put on the two-seat Hyundai i30, which was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March. In the second half of 2007, the car appeared on the roads.
The compact i30 has been praised by customers around the world. It took Hyundai just three years to sell half a million units. To date, Europeans have already bought 360 copies, of which 115 were sold last year. Fast order fulfillment became possible after the opening of the plant in Nosovice, Czech Republic, in March.
Due to the soft lines of the body and curved ribs, the Hyundai i30 is unobtrusive. However, it cannot be said that a proportional body lacks elegance. The interior looks similar. They are economical in shape, fully ergonomic and precisely fitted. Particularly commendable is the two-axis steering column adjustment, which, together with the vertical and horizontal seat adjustment, makes it easier for the driver to find the optimal position. Unfortunately, it is still missing in many cars with Asian ancestry. Gearboxes with average precision are also not pleasant for dynamic driving.
Thanks to comfortable seats and decent interior roominess, even long trips should not become a chore. Trunks look worse. While 340 liters for a hatchback is a respectable result, the 415-liter station wagon is one of the smallest in the segment. The storage compartments in the floor provide some comfort, making it easier to keep the trunk organized. Hyundai also lacked better sound deadening. Twist motors above 4000 rpm start to make annoying noise.
It’s impossible to complain about the equipment of many used Hyundai i30s - the market is filled with cars with six airbags, air conditioning, an audio system, alloy wheels and power windows. In some Western European countries, this was the standard. In Poland, you had to pay extra, incl. for "climate".
Car dealerships offered customers cars with gasoline engines 1.4 (109 hp), 1.6 (122 and 126 hp) and 2.0 (143 hp), as well as 1.6 CRDi diesel engines (90, 116 and 126 hp). s.) and 2.0 CRDi (140 hp). The "budget" nature of the car meant that i30s with two-litre engines were ordered relatively infrequently. The most powerful engines consume a lot of fuel in the urban cycle. In the combined cycle, "two-liter" gasoline needs about 8 l / 100 km, and diesel 1-1,5 l / 100 km less. Units with a volume of 1,6 liters consume 7,5 and 5,5-6 l / 100 km, respectively.
The Hyundai i30's suspension effectively, but not too quietly, compensates for large bumps. Thanks to the power steering, the car is not a real cornerstone. Grip performance is no match for factory-made Korean-bred tires that stand out among Japanese and European tires, especially in the wet.
Initially, the Hyundai i30 was covered by a 3-year unlimited mileage warranty with an additional two-year powertrain protection. In 2010, the manufacturer extended the warranty and service period to a full five years. Therefore, those who are interested in buying a used car still have a real chance of getting a car with a warranty. This is great news as the i30 has some durability issues. In the list of compacts prepared by ADAC, the car ranked 23rd out of 29 classified models.
That does not work? ADAC experts most often found problems with dead batteries, immobilizers, and fast-burning light bulbs that are difficult to replace. The cee'ds show identical problems, suggesting that these are design flaws rather than accidental breakdowns. TUV appreciated Korean design much better. It's true that the i30 isn't included in the report, but the cee'd Twin took a lofty 24th place out of 128 models tested.
Vehicle users often cite problems with electronics that make it difficult to use the audio system and automatic air conditioning, as well as disturbing noises from the chassis, including the steering gear. Stabilizer connectors are not very strong. The rear shock absorbers are knocking, and service visits do not always effectively solve the problem. Users are the first to notice pitting corrosion – especially on the tailgate, sills and fenders. Some i30s can be annoying with clipping sounds. There are permeable seals and faulty tire pressure sensors. However, many repairs were carried out under warranty, so drivers did not incur additional costs.
Hyundai i30 is praised for its high driving comfort and low maintenance costs. Will the machine empty your pockets even after the warranty period has expired? Everything indicates that this is so. In the agreement with Korea, the details are violated. The most expensive components, that is, engines and gearboxes, remain trouble-free. Operating costs were taken into account already at the design stage of the car. A simple suspension with removable pins, a chain drive for small motors, and a limited electronics network will surely pay off over the years.
Warranty conditions will certainly have a significant impact on the condition of used cars. The extended protection period is not only a privilege, but also an obligation to report to the service every 12 months. As a result, many Hyundai i30s will be under the control of well-equipped and trained workshops for at least five years.
Recommended engines:
Gasoline 1.6: This is the notorious golden mean. The 122 hp engine, and since 2008 126 hp, provides dynamics similar to the 2.0 unit, with significantly less need for gasoline and cheaper insurance rates. Due to the timing chain, the engine requires less maintenance than a "two-liter" with a timing belt.
1.6 CRDi diesel: In the long run, smaller diesel engines can be more fuel efficient. Not only because of the lower fuel consumption than the 2.0 CRDi unit. It was offered without a dual-mass flywheel and diesel particulate filter, which, in combination with a timing chain drive, would reduce maintenance costs.
advantages:
+ A large number of cars from Polish car dealerships
+ Decent equipment and build quality
+ good driving comfort
Disadvantages:
– Limited supply of substitutes
– Longevity issues with some components
– The quality of paint coatings
Prices for individual spare parts - replacements:
Lever (front): PLN 190-250
Discs and pads (front): PLN 260-430
Clutch (complete): PLN 250-850
Approximate offer prices:
1.6 CRDi, 2008, 164000 28 km, thousand zlotys
1.6 CW, 2008, 51000 30 km, thousand zlotys
1.4, 2008, 11900 34 km, thousand zlotys
2.0 CRDi, 2010, 19500 56 km, thousand zlotys
Photographer Provider, user of Hyundai i30.
