A Close Look at the Hyundai i30cw

January 2011

Korean carmaker Hyundai caught the attention of the Australian auto market when it introduced a small-car wagon which boasts of a willing engine, sleek designs, first class safety and good fuel economy… the Hyundai 130cw. It is the wagon counterpart of the medium sized Hyundai i30, and the cw tag stands for crossover wagon. That gives you a hint of what the Hyundai i30cw is all about, it is basically a station wagon with plenty of room and a decent amount of ground clearance.

There are two engine choices with the Hyundai i30cw, with the 1.6 CRDi litre diesel being the more popular pick. However, the 2.0 litre petrol variant does not stack up too badly. The diesel unit boasts of a maximum power output of 85 kW and top torque of 255 Nm in the 1900 to 2750 rev range. As expected, the petrol unit has less torque - 186 Nm at 4500 revs – though it makes up for this with 105 kW of power at 6000 revs. Both engine variants come with either a four-speed automatic or a five-speed manual. The automatic gearbox features Hyundai’s Intelligent Vehicle electronic control, which has an overdrive lockout and a lockup torque converter, enabling the vehicle to adapt to your driving style.

Hyundai is offering its i30cw in three models to give prospective buyers more options. All three variants have a roof rail, air conditioning with a pollen filter, and an audio system compatible with MP3s, WMAs and CDs, with an input jack for the iPod. Those who are looking for a practical and reliable vehicle to suit the needs of a growing family can go for the entry level SX and SLX. However, if you want to take your ride to a whole new level, then the Sportswagon is the ideal choice. It steps up with some added luxuries such as automatic climate control, an in-dash 6-CD stacker, six high output amplified speakers, leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather seats, and steering-wheel mounted sound controls.

Folks at Hyundai made sure that the i30cw raises the bar when it comes to passenger safety. In terms of active safety features, the one thing that the Sportswagon has that the SX and SLX models don’t is the auto-dusk sensing headlights. All models are equipped with the anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic stability program (ESP) with traction control, ABS brakes with electronic brake distribution (EBD) and brake assist. As for passive safety features, all three models have driver and front passenger airbags, height adjustable pretensioned seatbelts with load limiters in the front seats, anti-submarining seats, impact-absorbing bumpers and side impact beams.

The interior offers plenty of style with high quality materials. The SX and SLX models are set in charcoal-coloured, woven cloth seats. Go for the Sportwagon and leather becomes the theme of the moment. Also offered across the entire i30cw range are blue lighting for the instrument panel, cruise control, power windows, premium sound system and lots of storage space. Once you hit the road, the i30cw provides a sporty driving experience, thanks to the multi-link rear suspension and the MacPherson strut front. Handling and road grip are excellent, as is the ability of the chassis to absorb those nasty bumps. Overall, the Hyundai i30cw is a car that provides top notch quality while offering the best value for money. So book your test drive today!