End of Term for the I30

I figured that seeing as I am giving it back soon after 3 months and as I have become quite fond of the thing I would write a quick review of my latest rental car, one of Enterprise’s finest, the Hyundai I30.

Let’s start with road presence - probably the most anonymous car I have ever driven. When you are driving some cars people look in to have a peak at the driver as they pass. Ladies glance across at the lights having mentally played the “hot or not” game prior to pulling up. Not so the I30, it is a car so totally ordinary it feels like it is fitted with a cloaking device. It’s a grandad’s car… or a pervert’s car.. indeed you can people watch as much as you like and they are totally oblivious, what a great attribute for a car to have. Rolf Harris might drive an I30 (allegedly).

Really not a car for ones ego then, when caught outside the car, at a service station for example, I found myself hoping people had seen the green “e” on the back telling them that it is in fact a rental, and that at home I may have a huge penis of a car..or maybe a sorn’d Elise.

Despite these failings it is actually not that bad looking from some angles. Jelly from the side yes, but there is a sniff of sporty from the back and a mild stench of aero at the front, and inside it’s pretty cool in a Jap sort of way. The dash is good and who can complain about a 17button steering wheel, including one switch that when pressed seems to say “norks”. The amusement of that alone once kept me amused from Wetherby to Scotch Corner. It is a better place to sit than the Focus for sure.

Camping with En-Synk

It drives ok too, it’s not quick but at 110bhp the diesel engine can keep up when given the nudge on the motorway, and on weekly overtaking duties on the A1 between Newcastle and Edinburgh it never let me down, occasionally sailing past whole lines of traffic like only a hire car can.

Bends, it’s seen a few, which sadly revealed it’s not as sharp as the Focus it replaced, but did reveal a chassis that became mildly entertaining when pushed a bit. My biggest issue with my old Leon FR was that when pushed it all became a bit ragged, not enough feel plus a front end that was trying and failing to do all the work. But you can really hustle the I30 along and if you really set it at a corner, it takes on a stance that is actually quite satisfying, working all four tyres rather than the two at the front. Don’t be deceived though, this car is light years behind the new focus which remains one of the better hatchbacks I have driven.

Early start in the Focus. Bass Rock.

The I30’s greatest asset though is the ability to cover miles, I regularly did 250mile stints in it and it never felt happier than sitting in the outside lane, doing 85 whilst sucking tunes out of my iphone.

I actually had two I30s the first one gave me the best moment. En-sync (reg was EN62 SNC) and I were approaching the great stretch of twisty between Gullane and Aberlady when some clever sod rocketed by on a superbike. Game on.. the I30 owned the bike all the way to Aberlady’s 30 signs, proving it is true what they say, “there is nothing faster than a rental.” I almost felt sorry for him – done by a Hyundai!

So should you buy one? No, but if you are on the blower to the rental company and a focus is not available, then don’t be too depressed if you get an I30. Unless it is En-Synk which I handed back with an Electrical problem!

Camping with EJ-UJO