Hyundai i30 1.6 CRDi Active (110ps) Blue Drive 5dr Car Review - May 2013

The Hyundai i30 1.6 CRDi is powered by a 1.6-litre, 16-valve diesel engine which produces 109bhp and 192lb-ft of torque a 1900-2750pm. This gives the car a 0-62mph time of an absolutely adequate 11.5 seconds, and a top speed of 115mph. The engine provides a good mix of performance without compromising economy, and has a reassuring air of refinement. The suspension impresses too, and gives the i30 a comfortable ride at high speeds; however, the low-speed ride can sometimes be a little crashy. On the downside, the steering feels a little numb and vague, and the gearbox can be a little jerky.

The styling of the new latest i30 has seen much improvement from the acceptable but plain design of the previous generation, with the modern hexagonal grille and bumper combination giving the car a far more distinctive face. The i30 comes with a decent level of trim too, with power steering, central locking, stability control, alloy wheels, air conditioning, electric door mirrors, electric front and rear windows, cruise control, rear parking sensors, alarm and immobiliser, and CD player with Bluetooth and MP3 connectivity all included as standard.

The i30 1.6 CRDi Active comes as standard with driver, passenger, and front side airbags and scored the full five stars from Euro NCAP. Hyundai have acquired a solid reputation for customer satisfaction in recent years and the i30 comes as standard with a 5-year warranty which is, impressively, for unlimited mileage. The i30 has good levels of leg and headroom for both front and rear passengers and 378 litres of boot capacity, rising to 1316 with the standard fit split folding rear seats lowered, which is more than you would find in the equivalent Ford Focus.

The Hyundai i30 1.6 CRDi Active (110ps) Blue Drive 5dr is priced at £17,995, sitting around the middle of the Hyundai i30's price range. Where the i30 really comes into its own, however, is with its low running costs. The 1.6-litre, 16-valve diesel engine boasts a combined fuel figure of 76.3mpg, the best figures in the i30 range. It emits just 97g/km of CO2 too, so falls into the lowest Road Tax Band A. Those figures make the 109bhp engine the pick of the range, and although this is also available in the £16,895 Classic model, you would be forfeiting the alloy wheels, electric rear windows, cruise control, and rear parking sensors. For that reason, the Hyundai i30 1.6 CRDi Active (110ps) Blue Drive represents good value for money, and its combination of low running costs and generous specification levels will see it perform solidly on the resale market.