Hyundai: Quite an 'i' full

Hyundai's i30 wagon is based on the popular hatch. Photo / Supplied

Hyundai NZ is a motoring industry success story, having sold more cars here in March this year than it's ever sold in one month.

Those figures saw it hit the number two spot on NZ's sales charts, putting it behind Toyota, and ahead of big players Ford and Holden.

The Korean brand still sits at number five in the year to date, behind those brands and Mazda, but it's a company on the move.

That's because of the excellent i30 hatch, and in part to continued strong selling for the now ageing Getz, which will continue on showroom floors after the same-bracket i20 arrives later this year.

What's new?
This i30's a wagon, so it's longer, with a longer wheelbase, wider track and higher roofline than the hatch. That delivers 415 litres of boot space (75 more than the hatch) with the seats up, or 1395 with them folded.

Otherwise, this car uses the same range of engines and transmissions as the hatch. And it also takes an entertaining approach to the load-hauler equation with USB and aux ports, plus an iPod cable for the Elite, and full management of it via the steering wheel mounted controls.

The company line
"There is no recession in this company," says executive director Philip Eustace, which is fortunate, for i30 enters a small segment - compact wagons - and takes on the big guns, primarily Toyota's Corolla.

Of the six variants available, the 1.6-litre petrol manual is available on order only. The rest are autos.

What we say
The i30 wagon looks good inside and out and may even attract the private buyer as it still seems more hatch than wagon, especially from the rear.

The 1.6-litre diesel is the pick of the bunch for its pull, with the 2-litre feeling rather breathless, although this wagon's only about 40kg heavier than its hatch equivalent.

That weight comes from the extra metal rather than Hyundai's generous specification, which includes ABS, stability and traction control plus six airbags and anti-whiplash headrests.

On the road
The i30 is a sweet-handling hatch, though it extends no boundaries. The ride was excellent on some of the appalling back roads we traversed, and its handling was reasonable rather than incisive. Just what you want from a compact load-hauler.

We didn't try her with luggage but did load three adults aboard to confirm the diesel's superiority.

Why you'll buy one?
It's handsome inside and out, at $30,990 to $40,990 well priced, and packed with goodies.

Why you won't?
Wagons are too sales rep; you hate diesel; or you still hold the outmoded view that Korean brands are inferior.