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The changes to the 2016 Hyundai i30 SR are relatively minor, but when you’re dealing with a variant of what is currently Australia’s best-selling car, the phrase “ain’t broke, don’t fix” comes to mind.
A local initiative, the i30 SR first burst into existence in 2013 sporting a 2.0-litre engine and suspension package developed by Hyundai Australia’s enthusiastic and passionate chassis engineers.
Most of the effort has been concentrated on the interior, the new sports bucket seats sporting chunky side bolsters and red seat inserts, black headlining replacing the previous drab grey and there’s red stitching on the seats, steering wheel and front arm rests.
The SR Premium adds sat-nav and a panoramic sunroof over the $26,550 SR; the roof can be added separately to the base SR for $2000, but sadly the nav cannot, though Apple Carplay does allow drivers to use the navigation in their smartphone.
On a dry road the i30 SR is reasonably entertaining without approaching true excitement. The ride is very good, soaking up most bumps but with an underlying firmness, the steering is accurate enough (though its different modes are a waste of time) and the handling through fast corners is neutral and confidence-inspiring.
Push harder and Hyundai’s warm hatch will slowly fall into varying degrees of understeer, with any effort to involve the rear end more or less ignored. Drive within its limits, though, and it’s willing and entertaining.
The six-speed auto feels marginally keener, and can now be controlled with shift paddles, but the $2300 premium makes the manual the better bet. In fact, the less you can spend on an i30 SR the better, its value proposition strong at $26,550 but a lot shakier at the $33,550 top end.
Just remember, there’s an all-new i30 due next year.
3/5
Specs Engine: 1999cc inline-4cyl, DOHC, 16v Power: 124kW @ 6500rpm Torque: 201Nm @ 4700rpm Weight: 1260-1362kg 0-100km/h: 7.7sec (claimed) Price: $26,550-$33,550
