Hyundai Scores Australia's Best Cars Hat-Trick With i20, i30 and iMax

SYDNEY – December 2, 2010: Australia’s seven State and Territory based motoring clubs have recognised three Hyundai models as class-winners in the 2010 Australia’s Best Car national awards.

The Hyundai i30 SX has been named Australia’s ‘Best Small Car Under $35,000’ and the Hyundai iMax was named Australia’s ‘Best People Mover’. Joining these two three-time class-winners is the all-new i20 Active, named ‘Best Light Car Under $20,000’ in its first year on sale.

Following an exhaustive evaluation and assessment process focusing on three main criteria; ‘Value for Money’, ‘Design and Function’ and ‘On the Road Performance’, the Australia’s Best Cars national judging panel awarded the Hyundai vehicles from a field of more than 300 original competitors.

"Hyundai has matured as a company and is a now real competitor to many of the Japanese and European manufacturers,'' said Mark Borlace, Chief Judge Australia's Best Cars.

The i20 Active continues Hyundai’s value-for-money philosophy in the light car class, but also brings new levels of refinement, quality, and dynamic capability. i20 Active is Australia’s most affordable 5-star ANCAP safety rated car.

“As a first effort in this category, the new i20 has been able to punch ahead of other competitors including the Volkswagen Polo, which in itself is a pretty good effort in a very competitive market,” said Mark Borlace, Chief Judge Australia’s Best Cars.

The i30 SX and iMax have now both won their respective classes for the last three years in a row. The i30 SX received consistently high ratings across almost all the judging criteria. Due to changes in the categories for 2010, i30 SX was up against cars costing up to $35,000, but secured the win through its combination of value for money, low depreciation, 5-star ANCAP safety rating and all-round performance.

“i30 has established itself in the small car market and is now genuinely the car to beat,” said Mr. Borlace,

When it comes to moving people plus their luggage, iMax is the class leader providing a combination of practical design, functionality and low operating costs that the judges rated as unbeatable. Eight-seat capacity and plenty of luggage space behind the third row, a well thought out interior and a reassuring 5-year / unlimited kilometre warranty make iMax Australia’s ‘Best People Mover’.

“The iMax is a true people mover in that it can move eight adults and their luggage and is genuinely a practical, versatile family car,” said Mr. Borlace.

"The Hyundai team is delighted that the i30 SX and iMax have won their respective classes for a third consecutive year,” said Oliver Mann, Marketing Director Hyundai Motor Company Australia. “A win for the new i20 Active is further acknowledgement of Hyundai’s leadership in delivering award-winning design, performance and value.”

The i20 range starts from $15,490 MLP*. The i30 range starts from $19,390 MLP*. The iMax range starts from $36,990 MLP*

The judging panel was made up of experts from Australia's motoring organisations including NRMA, RACV, RACQ, RAASA, RACWA, RACT and the AANT.

For further information, visit www.australiasbestcars.com.au