Photo: Hyundai
From the day Hyundai launched the current generation of the i30 compact, we've been in their corner. But we're afraid that targeting the German automakers in terms of style and build quality has cost them their core value: affordability.
Pricing information for the UK market has been revealed today for the whole i30 facelift range and this includes a newcomer, the i30 Turbo available in three- and five-door forms. It's not a true performance car, more of a semi-fast GT, but the price strikes us as steep.
The model features a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, which delivers 186PS and a 0-60 time of eight seconds. The 3-door model is arguably sexier and also cheaper at £22,495, while the 5-door is slightly more expensive at £22,995.
So why is that expensive? Well, let's start by looking at the VW Golf GTI, which stickers at £26,580 and gives you a 220 PS 2-liter turbo and 0 to 62 mph in 6.5 seconds. So, it's about £4,000 more expensive and a lot faster.
Yet it's Ford that deals a crippling blow to Hyundai's plans. They've just updated the Focus ST with a fresh grille and lights. The price? It's cheaper at £22,195 and comes with a standard 5-door body. We don't think that we even have to mention that the 250 PS Focus is way faster than the Hyundai i30 Turbo. In fact, for the same money you can even have it with a frugal 185 PS diesel engine.
From what we hear, Ford are giving £500 off on the Focus right now and their dealers are always willing to haggle.
Where the i30 Turbo begins to claw back some of its lost ground is in the standard equipment list, which includes 18” alloy wheels, Turbo sports bodykit, Turbo badge, perforated leather steering wheel with red stitching, sports suspension, satellite navigation, black and red cloth/artificial leather sports seats and LED rear tail lights.
The model features a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, which delivers 186PS and a 0-60 time of eight seconds. The 3-door model is arguably sexier and also cheaper at £22,495, while the 5-door is slightly more expensive at £22,995.
So why is that expensive? Well, let's start by looking at the VW Golf GTI, which stickers at £26,580 and gives you a 220 PS 2-liter turbo and 0 to 62 mph in 6.5 seconds. So, it's about £4,000 more expensive and a lot faster.
Yet it's Ford that deals a crippling blow to Hyundai's plans. They've just updated the Focus ST with a fresh grille and lights. The price? It's cheaper at £22,195 and comes with a standard 5-door body. We don't think that we even have to mention that the 250 PS Focus is way faster than the Hyundai i30 Turbo. In fact, for the same money you can even have it with a frugal 185 PS diesel engine.
From what we hear, Ford are giving £500 off on the Focus right now and their dealers are always willing to haggle.
Where the i30 Turbo begins to claw back some of its lost ground is in the standard equipment list, which includes 18” alloy wheels, Turbo sports bodykit, Turbo badge, perforated leather steering wheel with red stitching, sports suspension, satellite navigation, black and red cloth/artificial leather sports seats and LED rear tail lights.
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