Parked in my street the other day was a reminder of just how far Hyundai has come in design quality and desirability in such a short time.
Sitting beside our smart and modern i30 hatchback was an old-school Hyundai Amica. A perky and reliable city car no doubt, but ultimately, ‘second division’ and dull as the water you find in a ditch. The late-2007 car is only five years older than my second-generation i30, but the latter is now firmly in the Premiership, to conclude the football analogy. The i30’s dynamic wraparound front profile couldn’t be further removed from the Amica’s flat, brace-like grille and slightly confused/’just happy to be here’ headlamp expression. Hyundai is more than happy to be here now – so much so it now also proudly wears a bigger badge.
