But, in the end, the Hyundai i30 SR, as our Best Small Car category winner, is the 2017 Drive Car of the Year - a first for the brand and any South Korean car maker.
That alone highlights the significant progress Hyundai has made over the last decade, but the i30 SR is more than just a coming-of-age car for the company as it is a brilliantly executed small hatchback that builds on Hyundai’s age-old ethos of providing value for money by matching the best in the world in terms of quality, comfort and solid engineering.
Featuring the latest safety and connectivity features, it offers more than a generous list of equipment with a level of performance and driving character you’d expect from a rival car costing significantly more. The judges were impressed by its perky 1.6-litre turbo charged engine and a locally-developed chassis that is comfortable and charming in equal measures.
Priced from $28,950 (plus on-road costs), it is, firstly, affordable but, more than that, it is fun to drive, classy to look at, spacious enough to suit most families, efficient to own and comes with excellent long-term ownership incentives.
It is a car that perfectly reflects the changing automotive landscape.
2017 Drive Car of the Year
