Comfort and style

Clive Beer goes for a Hyundai double – with the Coupe S111 and the i30

The third generation of the successful Coupe is probably the hottest looking car Hyundai has produced, but with prices that certainly won’t burn your fingers.
    
The 2-litre manual tested seemed to tick all the boxes. Stepping inside you are greeted by the smell of leather, with the wide door making for easy access.
    
A glance around the cabin reveals a leather covered three spoked adjustable steering wheel, and the speedometer and rev-counter dominating the centre binnacle, which also houses fuel and temperature gauges.
    
The centre console houses secondary switchgear, the radio/CD player and an economy gauge, voltage and torque meter. Main switchgear is comfortingly sturdy and logically sited. Among the many standard features are cruise control, climate control, heated front seats and a radio/CD player with iPod connectivity.

Ergonomics
The front seats provide excellent lateral support and the driving position is snug with both lumbar support and height adjustment. Rear seat passengers don’t fare so well and I would not look forward to travelling any great distance in the back.
    
Storage areas accommodate most things you’ll need to carry in a car and the boot is surprisingly spacious for a coupe.
    
The stiff chassis gives the Coupe a rough ride on uneven surfaces but also makes the car grippy and keen to change direction in a raw but pleasant way. The gearbox is a delight, the gate is small and the changes are pleasingly slick.

Entertaining handling
On the negative side, rear visibility is poor and wind noise at speed is a nuisance, but the Coupe delivers the entertaining handling its looks promise and soaks up the motorway miles at 70mph at just over 3,000 rpm.
    
In addition, the five-year unlimited mileage, six-year anti-perforation warranty and three-year RAC assistance indicate the confidence the manufacturer has in both the build quality and reliability of this attractive, sporty yet practical two-door delight.
    
All of this without taking into account the price: on the road for just £18,000 sounds like game over, I’m sold!

Hyundai Coupe SIII 2.0 Manual
ENGINE: 2.0-litre, 4 cyl, 16v
POWER: 141bhp
TOP SPEED: 129 mph
0-62mph: 9.3secs
MPG (combined): 35.3
CO2: 193/km
HC+NOx Emissions g/km: 0.025
LUGGAGE CAPACITY: 418 litres

The i30 mounts a serious challenge to the Focus/Astra market with prices that motorists definitely will like.

The i30 range is letting European and Japanese manufacturers know that the Korean car industry is catching up.

Well proportioned
A first glance at the i30 tells you that this car is a world away from previous Korean hatchbacks; it’s well-styled, well balanced with good load area access and good proportions. The quality of the interior trim is up with, if not better than, the best Europe can offer and closing the door gives a satisfying clunk, reminiscent of a Volkswagen.
    
The specification levels are impressive and include A/C. central heating, central locking, sports steering wheel, radio/CD and speed sensitive wipers. The workmanship and fit quality is first rate, passenger space is excellent and there is very little to complain about.

Responsive engine
The engine range is willing and responsive, and copes equally well with heavy in-town traffic and motorways. The brakes are well-adjusted and strong on feel, useful if you’re pushing on but equally welcome in stop-start driving and offers one of the most pleasing blends of ride and handling of any car in this class.
    
The ride is little short of exceptional. The car offers a supple, fluid and always controlled ride that many rivals would do well to emulate.
    
With the exception of the slightly dull front grille design, there is much on the plus side; European design, high build quality, value for money, long warranty, excellent driveability, and ride comfort.
    
Hyundai proves with the i30 that it can build cars fully competitive on raw ability and not just short-term showroom appeal, and the i30 continues to follow the approach of quality of product, not price.

Hyundai i30 1.6 CRDi Manual 
ENGINE: 1.6-litre, 4 cyl, 16v
POWER: 113bhp
TOP SPEED: 117mph
0-62mph: 11.6secs
MPG (combined): 60.1
CO2: 125/km
HC+NOx Emissions g/km: 0.024
LUGGAGE CAPACITY: 340 litres