Reviewed: Hyundai i30SR, a dash of colour

Sporty styling doesn’t make a sporty ride.

2016 Hyundai i30 Series II SR

Five things we learned about the updated Hyundai i30SR:

1. The engine and suspension are unchanged

The direct injection 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine is the same as the one introduced in the SR model last year. Its output of 124kW/201Nm is a modest improvement on the base model’s 1.8-litre four-cylinder (107kW/175Nm) and, oddly, less than what the Hyundai i30 SR had in 2013 (129kW/209Nm). Fuel economy is still below par for the class (7.7L/100km for the six-speed automatic and 7.3L/100km for the six-speed manual). The steering and suspension were tuned on local roads and it’s still one of the best handling cars in the Hyundai line-up.

2. The automatic now has F1-style paddle shifters

The performance may be a long way from Formula One (this warm hatch does 0 to 100km/h in about 8.5 seconds) but six-speed automatic versions of the updated Hyundai i30 SR come with plastic tap shifters on the steering wheel, in case you want to override the transmission and go up or down a gear or two. The transmission won’t let you grab too low a gear if you’re travelling too fast. It works well enough but, to be frank, you’re best to leave the car to its own devices.

3. It now comes with more red

They say red cars go faster. Perhaps that’s why there are flashes of red on the leather sports seats — front and rear. There’s also a red ring around the “start” button. New machined face 17-inch alloy wheels distinguish the updated model from the outside. A rare (and very much welcome) sight: a full-size alloy spare is standard.

2016 Hyundai i30 Series II SR

4. The price has gone up

The updated Hyundai i30 SR starts at $26,550 plus on-road costs for a six-speed manual and $28,850 for the six-speed auto — both represent price rises of about $1000. The SR Premium is not exactly a bargain either, at $31,250 plus on-roads for a manual and $33,550 for an auto, putting the Hyundai firmly in VW Golf territory. The Premium model adds panorama sunroof, navigation, heated and cooled front seats, 10-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat, and rear air vents. That’s a lot of gear for the money but it’s also a chunk of change for a Hyundai hatchback. Be sure to haggle.

5. It’s still missing some bare essentials

There’s still no digital speedo display in the sportiest version of the i30 (that’s expected in the next model due next year) and the driver’s power window lacks one-touch “auto up”. At least Hyundai has maintained a full-size spare in the boot and Apple CarPlay, a sensor key and a rear camera are part of the package.