1.6 CRDi Comfort 5dr Hatchback

Well built, but disappointing economy

I bought this car nearly new, and it's funded by my employer. I previously had a 57 reg Focus 1.6 TDCi Zetec which performed faultlessly over 107,000 miles, so the Hyundai has a tough act to follow. Compared to the Kia Cee'd I was also considering, the Hyundai has a better class of materials, especially noticable on the seats. It is well built with no knocks or rattles, and I have no complaints so far, apart from the boot light which works when it feels like it.

The radio has no long wave reception, and overall the sound quality isn't as good as the Focus. The pedal positions also seem a bit strange, when I have the seat pulled forward far enough to fully depress the clutch, my right leg starts to ache on a long drive as it rests on the accelerator pedal at an awkward angle.

My main gripe is fuel economy. The Focus has an official combined mpg of 58.9, and I actually achieved 53.7 mpg. On paper, the Hyundai is 62.8 mpg, but I'm only getting 50.3 mpg, and that is driving exactly the same profile of journeys as before. Even after 7000 miles, there is no sign of fuel economy improving. I have tried economy runs on motorways, journeys of 400 miles where 90% of those miles are at a constant 62 mph in 6th gear, but I still only get around 53 mpg, which is no better than what is claimed for the urban cycle. Given that my employer will only reimburse me at the HMRC advisory fuel rates, it means I'm having to subsidise business use out of my own pocket.

I'd like to see a return to the mpg figures for constant 56 and 75mph.

I do like the 20,000 mile service interval, and that by the time the lease ends in 3 years it will still have over a year of the warranty left, so should be not too difficult to sell on.

In summary, a well-built car that is competent, but not outstanding. Whilst all official mpg figures have to be taken with a pinch of salt, Hyundai as a brand seems to be particularly poor at matching their claims. To those owners who claim to get better than 60+ mpg, i'd like to know how on earth they manage it.

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