Hyundai i30 and iMax named Australia's Best Cars

AUTO CENTRAL – December 3, 2008: Australia's seven State and Territory based motoring clubs have recognised two Hyundai models as class-winners in their 2008 national awards. The Hyundai i30 SX petrol and CRDi turbo Diesel were named Australia's 'Best Mid-size Car Under $28,000' 2008 and the Hyundai iMax CRDi turbo Diesel was named Australia's 'Best People Mover' 2008.

Following an exhaustive evaluation and assessment process that focused 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 double win to both Hyundai vehicles from a field of 286 original competitors.

"The Hyundai i30, whether it's the petrol or Diesel version has scored at the top of its class," commented the Chief Judge, Ernest Litera. "Whether you're going to a sporting match or a school function, the 8 seat Hyundai iMax offers the consumer plenty of space, flexible child seat arrangements and also accommodates luggage. The Hyundai iMax does all these things very well. Both cars scored at the top of each of their respective categories and that means that they are consistently better than the class average across at least 19 areas that we scored the cars in."

Last year the i30 finished a close second in a tight race, but with some enhancements this year, the latest i30 SX has been recognised. The i30 SX petrol offers outstanding value and the i30 SX CRDi turbo Diesel continues to be Australia's most affordable Diesel powered car with the manual SX from $21,890 RRP.

"The team at Hyundai are delighted that the i30 SX and the iMax CRDi have each won a 2008 Australia's Best Cars award," said Kevin McCann, Director of Sales and Marketing, Hyundai Australia. "The i30 has proved its credentials and we have recently enhanced our offering by including ESP Stability Control as standard across all 2009 model year i30 cars, whilst we recently launched the iMax CRDi turbo Diesel with a 5 speed automatic transmission, which will ensure growing sales in Australia."

The i30 hatch will be joined by the i30 CW wagon in early 2009 and this will offer Australian consumers an i30 model with a longer wheelbase and larger boot space.

The iMax shuttle is sold alongside its sister products, the iLoad 3 seat van and 6 seat crew van. The iMax range starts from $36,990 RRP.