Review: Hyundai i30 Tourer vs. VW Golf Estate vs. Renault Megane ST
Review: 2012 Hyundai i30 Tourer vs. VW Golf Estate vs. Renault Megane Sport Tourer
The estate versions of the top-selling compact hatchbacks may not be the first choice of those looking to make a style impact, but they are a great option for businesses and families on a budget.
It’s a competitive category, but there’s a new kid on the block that is looking to take on all contenders.
That would be the 2012 Hyundai i30 Tourer, which is the estate version of the super stylish Hyundai i30 hatchback.
It’s a model that Hyundai believes can dominate the estate category thanks to its combination of space, fuel efficiency, and low running costs.
In order to see if Hyundai’s claims are in fact correct, you really have to compare the i30 Tourer against the best in the current class of estate cars to see if it indeed measures up.
One the plus side of things, the i30 Tourer comes with impressive boot space, low emissions, a plethora of standard features, and a very respectable price tag.
The big question is whether or not all of that is enough to give it the edge over its main rivals, the VW Golf Estate and the Renault Megane Sport Tourer.
Before you can start to compare estate cars, you have to get past their boxy appearance and instead choose to focus on the positive aspects of each.
The VW Golf Estate has been at the top of the heap for quite some time, but that looks set to change, especially since it is the most expensive of the three cars we are comparing here. The fact that you seem to get the least (small load area and minimal features) for the price, puts it in third place among this trio.
The Megane Sport Tourer recently got a little redesign and it delivers on a lot of levels. It’s an incredibly cool looking vehicle that delivers on emissions, space, a nice set of standard features, and a great price, but it still falls a little short of the i30 Tourer.
The all-new Hyundai i30 Tourer may be the lowest priced of the three, but you would never guess that when you get behind the wheel.
The cabin is nicely designed and very well equipped, while under the hood, the estate version of the i30 hatchback has a refined engine that delivers a great driving experience. Oh, and did we mention all of that space in the boot?
Facts & winners…
1st place: Hyundai i30 Tourer: Another great example of the strides that Hyundai have made in recent years.
The i30 Tourer is a low-priced vehicle that is comfortable for driver and passengers alike, as well as having a ton of storage space. It also helps that it comes with a killer five-year warranty.
2nd place: Renault Megane ST: The redesign has done a lot to revive the look of the Megane, giving it a real touch of style in an otherwise boxy category. It’s a fairly close second behind the i30 Tourer, with the weak residuals being what holds it back.
3rd place: VW Golf Estate: The estate version of the Golf falls a little flat when compared to the hatchback. It offers a lot less boot space than the other two cars on this list, despite coming with the heftiest price tag of the three. [Source: autoexpress.co.uk]
