Hyundai is a brand that usually competes on value, but the i30 is good enough to fight its corner on merit.
The diesel units are strong and smooth, and quieten down nicely at cruising speeds. The 1.4 petrol is quite refined, and also pretty efficient. Overall, though, we reckon that the lower-powered version of the 1.6 diesel is the best bet.
Hyundai’s five-year warranty is well known, but the firm’s care package also includes five years of breakdown cover and five years of free annual ‘check-ups’. The company has also recently opened a multi-million-pound dealer service training centre as it aims to improve its customer care in the UK.