Hyundai i30 SR Australian price announced

Warm hatchbacks are getting hotter – and cheaper – by the day. The new Hyundai i30 SR will arrive next month with 150kW/265Nm and wearing a $25,950 plus on-roads sticker.

The 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder i30 SR may follow its daggy, US-based Elantra SR sibling in the power and torque department, but it also undercuts that sedan by $3000 while packaging its excellent independent rear suspension (IRS) setup beneath classy styling.

But the 1315kg i30 SR weighs 45kg less than the 7.7-second 0-100km/h Elantra SR, so expect a sub-7.5sec time. Australian-tuned suspension will hopefully have the hatchback handling at least as well as the sedan, too – which is something we’d never thought would be said.

A six-speed manual transmission is standard, while an optional seven-speed dual-clutch automatic costs $28,950 plus on-roads.

Why the $3000 surcharge for an auto? It adds autonomous emergency braking (AEB), active cruise control and lane-keep assist, all of which is unavailable on the DIY-shifter.

Otherwise, kit with both includes 18-inch alloy wheels, LED tail-lights, dual exhausts, sports seats, alloy pedals, 8.0-inch touchscreen with sat-nav and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless phone charging, dual-zone climate control and keyless auto-entry.

The i30 SR Premium is auto-only from $33,950 plus on-roads, and adds LED headlights, panoramic sunroof, leather trim with heated and ventilated front pews plus an electrically adjustable driver’s seat, and auto-dimming rear-view mirror. (Note: i30 diesel cabin shown).

There are high hopes for this affordable Hyundai warm hatch after sampling the surprisingly polished (if not aggressively sporty) Elantra SR last year. With outputs from a Golf GTI of a decade ago offering circa-7.0-second 0-100km/h performance for mid-level Corolla money, the i30 SR could be a surprise packet when it launches in Australia in May.