Story: DAVID WILKINS
Company car drivers who like Hyundai’s smart Golf-sized i30 but hanker after a bit more luxury can now opt for a new top-of the range trim level – Premium. Prices start at £19,995.
Outside, there are fancy new 17-inch alloy wheels, chrome door handles with illumination and automatically folding door mirrors with puddle lamps.
Inside, business users will like the sat nav, leather upholstery, automatically dimming mirror, electrically-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support, heated front seats and keyless entry.
There are two engine options – a 120 PS 1.6-litre petrol with manual transmission available only on the hatchback, and a 1.6-litre CRDi 128 PS diesel that’s available in both the hatchback and the Tourer estate model with a choice of either a manual or an automatic gearbox.
The 148g/km petrol-engined Premium hatchback starts at £19,995 but the Tourer estate with automatic transmission and the diesel engine tops out at £23,900; that combination achieves 149g/km, although the manual diesel estate manages a much more attractive 117g/km.
Tony Whitehorn, Hyundai Motor UK President and CEO, said: “The New Generation i30 has proven to be extremely popular with both company car and retail customers since its launch in March this year. We have seen many customers choosing higher specification models and adding optional extras on top of that for additional comfort and convenience.”
“The new Premium trim offers exceptional value for money as customers get all the benefits of the option packs, and more, as standard equipment for a relatively nominal increase in overall price.”
The addition of the Premium trim level shows how Hyundai’s improving cars are moving the Korean brand away from its budget origins. In a business car comparison, prices are not far off those charged for similarly-sized (although less well equipped) models from BMW, Mercedes and Volvo.
