Some manufacturers find it annoying to be constantly asked about the VW Golf with every new offer in the compact class. Always justify, regardless of whether you do something completely different or exactly like the class leader from Wolfsburg. Markus Schrick sees it more loosely: “We want to be the alternative to Volkswagen - very clearly,” says the Germany managing director of Hyundai. The heads of the European development center in Rüsselsheim even confidently call the new edition of the i30 “New People's Car” - the new Volkswagen. The new generation is now available from 17.450 euros, 300 euros more than before.
Anyone who is a friend of the well-groomed, comfort-oriented driving, will enjoy the i30. The new seven-speed DSG in the higher engine makes its task at least as good as that in the Golf, the start-stop automatic corresponds to the start even more seamless with the transmission than the competitor. In the hilly hinterland of southern Spain, this is just as much fun as biking through Marbella's narrow Old Town streets.
Rightly, the developers from the Hessian European headquarters are also proud of their new 1,4-liter turbo petrol engine: The fits ideally to the DSG and provides the i30 exactly with the dynamics, with which Golf, Astra or Focus can be attacked. And 240.000 owners of the predecessor i30 will certainly be able to keep the new liveliness with the pole. Only disappoint the approximately one and a half liters of excess consumption on the test round to the specified 5,5 liters in the mix. Also, the one-liter turbo incidentally missed the manufacturer's statement similarly clear.
Despite the agile engines, the new i30 is not a rapid curve predator. The chassis is designed to be more defensive than that of German competitors, comfort and safety are trumps. The comfortable, not overly sporty contoured seats - which can be ventilated if desired - also match. Only with the tuned “N” variant will the Hyundai also want to play in the GTI regions. The sports version is to come in October - with at least 250, possibly later even 300 hp and hard road holding.
The reason fraction will still get the station wagon at the end of May - and at the beginning of 2018 a so-called i30 fastback will roll in; "Unique in class" Schrick is happy about the car, which could be a mix between coupe, hatchback and shooting break.
In the motorization all around are recommended for the normal user and the diesel in its three horsepower variants of "economical holiday glider" to "rushing sales representative". The i95 is not underpowered even with the new 30-PS diesel.
Visually, the i30 has significantly increased: The new Hyundai front with the tilted down to the street grill is an eye-catcher. With 4,34 meter length, the i30 has now grown four centimeters, worked to 1,5 centimeters to almost 1,80 meters and ducked an inch lower at 1,46 meter height. Praiseworthy: This is not at the expense of the entry for the passengers or the loadability.
In the significantly widened interior "we want to make our craftsmanship more visible," says Hyundai Design Director Peter Schreyer. The interior colors are only available in black or gray-black. The flattened steering wheel, however, feels just as valuable as seats, buttons or dashboard, the instruments are clearly drawn, screens brilliantly resolving.
The eight-inch touchscreen navigation system is worth its price (from 750 euros including rear view camera and traffic sign recognition). Because the individual programs have very large symbols that can be easily hit even when driving at full speed. Apple Carplay or Android Auto is also perfectly and quickly integrated. Wireless charging is also offered - as standard from the Style trim level.
In the front, Hyundai is now - unlike before - in the assistance systems. Even in the basic “Pure” version with the somewhat tried 1,4 liter vacuum cleaner (100 hp), cruise control, city emergency braking, high beam assistant, fatigue warning or active lane departure warning are standard. Air conditioning and RDS radio with a 5-inch display make the base fully functional.
From 19.700 euros, a 1,0 liter turbo is also available in the second “Select” stage - and LED daytime running lights, fog lights, cornering lights or Bluetooth hands-free speakers. At “Trend” for at least 21.450 euros, 16-inch alloy wheels, park beeper at the rear, heated leather steering wheel and heated seats are also included.
“Style” starts at € 2.100 more expensive - and 17-inch models, LED taillights or two-zone automatic climate control. Finally, the “Premium” equipment is already partially autonomous assisted (from 25.500 euros): DSG has an adaptive cruise control on board that automatically keeps the distance to the person in front from 0 to 180 kilometers per hour. There are also LED headlights, electric driver's seat, smart key or collision avoidance with pedestrian detection. It is almost only more expensive with metallic paints (590 euros), panoramic glass roof (1.100 euros) or navigation package (750 euros).
Fully equipped, the i30 has unlocked well over the 30.000 Euro threshold in price golfing regions. Always standard is the Hyundai a five-year warranty, Navi updates are free autolenses. At this point, the i30 is already the promised "people's car". (Peter Weissenberg / SP-X)