2017 Hyundai i30 Elite Diesel Review | Packed With Safety And Technology At A Palatable Price Point
Don’t be fooled by the Hyundai i30 Elite’s unassuming appearance. While it may be sedate on the outside that’s no indication of any dulled ambition from the brand.
A more mature styling direction inside and out sets the tone for where Hyundai wants to position itself - sales volumes are obviously still a consideration, but a Euro-inspired look and feel suggests Hyundai wants buyers to enjoy a more premium experience without having to break the budget.
That’s a good thing for buyers. Better still, the i30 presents the power of choice - with petrol and diesel engines on offer (depending on specification) presenting a breadth of choice that competitors from Holden, Ford, and Mazda have all turned their backs on.
Vehicle Style: Small hatch
Price: $28,950 plus on-road costs
Engine/trans: 100kW/300Nm 1.6-litre turbo diesel | 7sp automatic
Fuel Economy Claimed: 4.7 l/100km | Tested: 7.1 l/100km
OVERVIEW
The new-generation Hyundai i30 has had a small change of approach compared with the previous generation. At the entry level it’s less price focussed, and more value oriented, with a positive flow-on effect for the rest of the range.
As a result the mid-spec Elite tested here scores a healthy level of standard equipment, but unlike the base model Active or sporty SR range, the Elite stands out thanks to exclusively diesel-power (for the time being at least).