Industrial espionage is a serious thing to allege. So I’m not going to suggest that some Kia designers have been sleeping with some Hyundai designers. But I can’t help suspecting that something has been going on…
It could just be the power of logical thinking that has lead to these two manufactures to bring out two eerily similar family cars. Both the Kia Cee’d and Hyundai i30 feel like thoughtful and diligent designs rather than inspired creations. They are contrived – learning the lessons of more established Jaapanese, American and German brands. And why not?
Moving from the Cee’d one week to the i30 the next created a groundhog day sensation. But it also allowed for better comparison.
The styling looks less like a Toyota and more like a Mazda. It is more rounded, which makes it look happier but, in my mind, less expensive too. Although from the front three-quarter view on sports alloys, it looks quite sexy. It’s hot hatch meets ‘Q car.’ Initially I didn’t think I liked it as much as the Kia, then I decided I like it more (in sports trim). So all I really know is, there is not much in it.
Inside, the i30 is very subtly different to the Kia, but those subtleties make a big difference. There is slightly more style; fewer large stark surfaces. The Kia, like Skodas, feels like it is trying to prove a point about quality by ‘keeping it simple.’ The Hyundai feels like it has moved on beyond that. It is a little more confident and so feels more expensive. It also has air conditioning in the Glovebox to keep your snacks cool.
My Grandad is the only person I have ever known to carry snacks for long journeys. So I doubt many will use this but its hard not to like it as a gadget. Everyone mentions it and I suspect a few sales have been closed because of it.
The front seats are comfortable. They feel big and supportive, like ‘lazy boy’ chairs not sports seats. Whilst the base on the driver’s seat could be either bigger or more adjustable for people over 6 feet tall, it is comfortable for long journeys of 3 or 4 hours. So its up on the Kia again there.
When accelerating, it doesn’t have the adrenalin-junkie feel of the Kia engine, even though the actual performance figures are almost identical. Again, it feels less like it is making a point by being more assured. It shares good gear ratios and turbo and computer lags are absent too. So around town it is a pleasure to drive.
Out on the motorway it offers a stable, quiet and relaxing drive. It is as free from wind or road noise as any competitor and the engine remains refined in top gear at motorway speed.
Over pot holes and speed humps, the Hyundai will not be bullied. Nissan and Kia suspensions feel like they are going to collapse in the face of the bullying speed bump. But the Hyundai feels like it has been working out, ready to face its bully down. It thumps heavily over speed bumps and crashes into potholes with hatred. I don’t really know how it manages to offer this sensation when the ride is otherwise so smooth and light.
Tootling around town looking for more pot holes, the Hyundai developed an intermittent metallic rattle. This got progressively worse through the week until it was an annoyance. It put a tiny nagging doubt in my mind. This car may look like a Mazda-Toyota love child, but I wondered, is the build quality there?
Well, here is why I love Hyundais. It doesn’t matter. The car, ike all Hyundais has a 5 year warranty. Also, having driven most of the Hyundai range, I also doubt that any car will give you any long-term technical problems. In this case it turned out to be a pretty trivial seat belt problem.
Around some of Essex’s most twisty b-roads I found the i30 to be not just a competent handler, but actually good fun. The steering has a nice weight. Of course, its no sports car, its not even a hot hatch, but it doesn’t particularly roll in corners and the handling is as neutral as any family hatchback. With alloys and sports suspension, I had a hoot in this car.
The Hyundai i30 makes sense for young families that clock up miles. It offers range, economy, price and a huge warranty. Despite all this dull and prudent stuff, its fun and pleasant to be in.
Summary
If you are considering buying a nearly new Kia because I said it was a better deal than a Toyota, you also need to test the Hyundai i30. There is little more than a fag paper’s difference between them, so it will be down to your personal taste and the deals on offer on the day.
Real car in the classifieds
57 Reg Hyundai I30 Diesel
1.6 CRDI Comfort 5DR
£10,984
6,000 miles
Road test car details
Hyundai i30 1.6 CRDi Premium
OTR: £15,595
0-62 mph: 11.6 secs
MPG: 60.1
Co2: 125 g/km