|
|
 |
|
The New, the Fast and the Luxurious... The Motoring Guide! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A Fantastic Guarantee
 Hyundai and Kia are the fastest growing car marques in Europe and share many of the same parts, but they are both offering fantastic guarantees.
It does not seem long since the standard for a new car was a one year guarantee. But the Hyundai i30 Estate I have tested comes with a five-year unlimited warranty and a ten year anti-perforation warranty.
That is peace-of-mind that is worth a lot and can take much stress out of car ownership.
This new Hyundai is changing the face of the marque and they claim it is the most important car they have launched. This is shown in its quality and high equipment level - all at an affordable price for the average motorist.
There was a time in the past when Hyundai sold more cars in Barnsley than any other region in the UK. Times change, but at £14,855 my i30 Estate 1.6 CRDi Style was up with the best.
The 16-valve diesel developed 113bhp and offered a top speed of 117mph with 0-62mph coming in 11.9 seconds. Combined consumption was over 57mpg and motoring locally one could expect nearly 50mpg.
Only option on the car was metallic paint at £390, so included in the package were 16-inch alloys, roof rails, front fog lights, electric windows, tyre pressure monitoring and steering wheel audio remote controls.
So wonderful in a car in this price bracket, were the electrically-folding and heated door mirrors, so handy in tight garages and supermarket car parks. Air conditioning did its job on the rare hot days and the automatic headlamp control was a night time perk.
|
Forget about past interiors, the i30 has a quality inside with part leather covering for its comfortable seats offering a good driving position. The fascia is neat and not overdone with flashy trim.
There are more than 20 storage places and for those who these days cannot manage without cup holders, they are sited on the centre console. That fascia is backlit in blue to add a bit more class.
The hatchback version is a good-looker, and this estate builds on those looks which are carried through without the car looking like a converted saloon. Longer rear doors open onto the larger rear interior space and a large tailgate opens to reveal that smartly-trimmed inside.
The Estate offers a good blend of space for both luggage and passengers without spoiling the looks. Some estates become bulky.
The wheelbase has been extended and space under the retractable load cover gives 415 litres which rises to 1,395 litres when the rear seats are folded. There is still plenty of legroom in the rear.
So many improvements have been made to cars, yet some are still not the best roadholders. This Hyundai with its electronic stability control offers a very comfortable ride no matter how many are being carried. It takes speed humps and pot holes in its stride.
It is a great package and an ideal family car, especially if they are to follow the lastest holiday trend and go camping.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
