2013 Hyundai i30 SR Review and Frist Drive

	Manual	Automatic
i30 SR	$27,990*	$30,190*
i30 SR with sunroof	$29,990*	$32,190*

*All prices are Manufacturer’s List Price (Price excludes dealer delivery and statutory charges)

Metallic/Mica paint option price $495

 

Hyundai i30 SR Engine

 

Powering the new sporty i30 is the excellent 2.0-litre GDI engine, which also found in Hyundai’s mid-sized i40 Sedan and Tourer range. Delivering 129kW and 209Nm, up from 110kW and 178Nm in the 1.8-litre i30 Elite. 

 

The i30 SR when matched to the six-speed manual transmission accelerates from 0-100km/h in 7.7sec, while the six-speed auto gets from 0-100km/h in 8.6sec. Fuel economy for the i30 SR manual is 7.2L/100km, while the six-speed automatic’s combined figure is slightly higher at 7.5L/100km. 

 

 

Hyundai i30 SR Interior

 

Boosting the already excellent interior from the i30 Elite which includes a 7” sat nav, six speaker stereo with USB & AUX inputs, Bluetooth, dual zone climate control , Rear camera & rear parking distance sensors. The SR edition gains leather seats with power driver’s seat, alloy sports pedals and an  electrochromatic rear view mirror.

 

Luggage capacity is 378 litres with the 60/40 rear seats in place.

 

 

Hyundai i30 SR Exterior & Styling

 

We would have like to have seen the Hyundai i30 SR push the boundaries a little more.  

 

The i30 SR gets the following items over the i30 Elite: 17-inch machined-face alloys wheels, sports front grille with piano-black insert, a rear diffuser, HID Xenon headlights, LED rear combination lights and unique SR badges. The panoramic sunroof is optional.

 

 

Hyundai i30 SR On the Road

 

Here is where Hyundai have done the majority of the work for the i30 SR.  Locally turned for Australian conditions Hyundai employed the help of chassis and suspension guru David Potter, who worked along side a team of local engineers.

 

Over a six-month period they set about testing 43 separate suspension combinations, 14 different front damper, 23 rear damper builds, on a variety of urban, highway, dirt roads and racetracks.  This resulted in the team delivering a Hyundai that is stiffer, more balanced and more rewarding than any other Hyundai we have driven

 

In track testing at Marulan driver-training centre (10 corners and one kilometre length) the i30 SR was 3.5 seconds quicker than the 1.8-liter Hyundai i30 Elite it is based on.  Around town at low speeds the stiffer suspension and set-up is noticeable.

 

Hyundai i30 SR Challenges

 

We would have liked to see Hyundai push the SR styling a little further.  While they have done a great job in producing a “warm hatch” we will have to wait for the WRC inspired models before they start to produce a real hot hatch.

 

Hyundai i30 SR Verdict

 

Hyundai have a great job in getting a car from concept to production in 10 months. The work that the local team produced will be making the guys at HQ in Korea take notice of their great work.

 

The top selling Hyundai i30 has just added another string to its bow with the introduction of the SR in to their i30 line-up.

 

Hyundai i30 SR Competition

 

This list in this segment is as long as your arm…. If you are after a small hatchback that offers a little more grunt than you stock standard model then you are in luck. 

 

 

The other 5 models that you need to test drive are:

 

1. Ford Focus Sport - $31,690 producing 125kW and 202Nm

2. Mazda 3 SP25 $31,490 producing 122kW and 227Nm

3. Toyota Corolla Levin ZR $28,490 producing 100KkW and 175Nm

4. Nissan Pulsar SSS $29,240  producing 140kW and 240Nm

5. Holden Cruze SRI-V $26,490 producing 103kW and 200Nm

 

The above list could be a lot longer we could have included the Mitsubishi Lancer, Subaru Impreza plus numerous others.