Just because it’s no longer PC to be driving an SUV doesn’t mean that you have to do without the load-carrying ability of something more than your regular hatchback.
The estate, or wagon, depending on which carmaker is talking, can carry just as much as most compact SUVs.
The Hyundai i30 Cross wagon, or CW, is more of an extended version of the primary cars than full estates of the traditional kind.
The core style of the i30 is grounded in a bit of conservatism, but with a smart front end, visibly Hyundai. Nice bit of metal-sculpting along the profile. Rear lights large and tall, quite distinctive even if not unique.
Hyundai did well when they came up with the interior styling of the i30. Good materials and finish. Some strong metallic detailing, and a blue background lighting theme.
The specification is high, with full climate control, audio controls on the wheel, a port for iPod and other auxiliary inputs. Add the standard foglights, alloy wheels, and the leather touches on wheel and gear knob.
The power unit is a 90hp 1.6 diesel which I have found before is a straight-up contender against any of the current European mass-market diesels of equivalent size.
The car drives like, well, like a standard i30. Which is as it should be. And which is again as good as anything in the segment.
The price of the i30 CW at €22,100, and a CO2 tax rating of B, is certainly very attractive.
Brian Byrne.
A fuller version of this appeared in the print edition of Car+Travel magazine
