I just read the HJ review of the new Hyundai i30 Fastback, and was somewhat disappointed by its poor rating. I thought the review was well balanced, though perhaps missing one cruitial item, namely that Hyundai said the car had no rivals currently. I'll be generous in saying maybe they believe this to be the case in South Korea or the Far East more generally, as I can think of the following cars, similarly priced and specced that are very much rivals:

Sold in the EU (UK)

• Mazda3 Fastback (especially - slightly smaller on boot size, though better inside and far better on the handling and ride, particularly if you avoid the Sport's 18in rims, AND still quicker to 60 [8.8 sec]);
• SEAT Leon SC (best on performance [7.9sec to 60] and looks if you get the 1.4TSi 150 ACT FR [1.8 and 2.0 are higher spec and cannot be compared], better deals [cheaper] than the Mazda, which you can get 20% off via brokers)
• Honda Civic (coupe looks and quicker, though now priced [RRP] nearer the likes of the Germans, but better engineered in my view [you pay for their reputation - though I think its still about 10% over priced]).
• Technically the Skoda Rapid/SEAT Toledo/VW Jetta are in styling though I wouldn't call any of them 'sporty' (even in intention).

Sold Elsewhere in the World

Subaru Impreza (standard N/A 2.0 petrol) - coupe version sold in Australia and perhaps (not checked) the US/Canada where coupes are more popular. Much nicer looking than the hatch which we have the only option to buy in the UK (I saw a test of the coupe WRX on John Cadogan's YT site). Shame we don't get this in the UK.

I'm sure the Yanks have many (admitedly not-so-good) home designed and made coupes to match the Hyundai in terms of spec/price, if not engineering quality.

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I like the exterior styling of the i30 fastback, not so much the 'monotone hard plastic' looking (at least from the photos in the review) interior, though its the relatively poor performance for each engine and ride quality that, to me, lets it down, as well as the lack of rear headroom (more so than in the Mazda). I thought the review comment about boot space was a bit unjustified though - 450 litres for a 'small' family car is excellent, beating all the above except the Rapid and sibblings.

The high lip and (like the Mazda) small boot aperture will be a problem if you want to put large boxes in the boot (they won't fit through the aperture or via the rear doors, even if the boot itself is large enough to take them. Suitacases and golf bags would go in fine though.

My score (without a test drive, but going on HJ's review) would be a 6 out of 10, dropping most due to the ride and handling shortcomings. It'll be interetsing to see how well it sells and what discounts can be had, especially as its going up against the ioniq as well in some ways (not the same in terms of performance and higher to buy, but similar in looks and cheaper to run).

What do you think about this offering from Hyundai - a bit of a risk, given the Mazda has never sold that well despite its better looks than the hatch (10:1 if I recall correctly - my 12yo one is quite rare) and the relatively high price (£500 more than the hatch, no premium for the Mazda, really good deals on the Leon).