SMALL car sales have endured a roller-coaster ride over the past year as market trends remain weighted to SUVs.

Even the most popular models in the segment – the Toyota Corolla, and Mazda3 have dipped in recent months, while Hyundai’s i30, has taken a bit of a shake-up as refreshed rivals up the ante.

So Hyundai’s fix is a neater, better-equipped Series II i30 that reveals its upgrade through a Genesis-inspired face.

Buyers chasing Hyundai’s renowned durability, reliability and low-cost ownership might be attracted to the diesel variants – one of the few non-European brands to persist with an oiler in its small-car line-up.

At $34,490, plus on-road costs, the i30 Premium diesel undercuts the top-shelf Mazda3 diesel by $4800 but is only slightly cheaper than an equivalent Golf or Peugeot. Is it worth the money?

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