Diesel or petrol?

It has taken the top honour in carsguide's Car of the Year awards, proved its claims as a frugal performer in the production-class category of the Panasonic World Solar Challenge and is putting smiles on the faces of Hyundai's Australian bosses.

But could I live with an i30 in the garage? And, more to the point, which model would I choose; petrol or diesel?

Over two weeks, the top-spec, petrol-fuelled i30 SR and the lowest specification diesel (SX) were in my drive.

The petrol SR, with its 17in alloy wheels, rear spoiler and side skirts, really looks the goods and is worth the $28,490 (with auto option) asking price.

The two-litre in-line four-cylinder petrol power plant produces 105kW of power and 186Nm of torque. Power is put to the road through the front wheels and the optional four-speed automatic transmission.

While looking the goods; along with the at-hand steering-wheel-mounted controls for the stereo and easy iPod connectivity; the engine has just enough puff to leave you wanting more for an entertaining, zippy drive.

Where that zip is lacking with the petrol version, the 1.6-litre CRDi (diesel), from $21,490, makes amends.

While the diesel sports 15in steel wheels only and is missing the rear spoiler and side skirts - toning down its looks; the engine is punchy and pushes this model along well for a fun drive.

An additional $1790 will buy the Protectz safety pack, which brings the two models into line with a full complement of ESP and additional side and curtain airbags, and extra security.

The SX diesel - the SLX model variant of which won the carsguide Car of the Year Award for Hyundai; also drives through a five-speed manual transmission until next year. The luxury of steering-wheel-mounted controls is missing. But here's an engine; which is capable of producing 85kW of power and a very impressive 255Nm of torque.

The Euro styling that is so evident in this design does get it noticed; not bad for a sub-$22,000 vehicle. But it is at the fuel pump that you will find the biggest benefits of this Hyundai.

The petrol engine has a claimed combined fuel cycle figure of 7.6 litres/100km for the auto transmission (7.2 litres/100km for manual) and the diesel uses fuel at a frugal 4.7 litres/100km (claimed).

However, during the run from Darwin to Adelaide as part of the Solar Challenge, the little diesel sipped fuel at a rate of just 3.3 litres/100km. So, after a week in both models, under the same driving conditions around Adelaide, the time had come to make a choice; the flashy petrol or the base-model diesel.

Based on looks alone, the SR petrol version took line honours, but the performance and economy gong went to the diesel.

For the major title - the car I would have in my driveway if I had to make that choice; the prize has to go to the diesel Hyundai i30 SX.

I'd dig a little bit deeper in the pocket to get the Protectz pack fitted; and possibly go to the SLX version; which gets 16in alloys and some additional interior kit to align the safety standards and features with the outstanding fuel consumption.

Either way, Hyundai has hit a winner in the small-car segment with the i30. And there are sure to be some more broadening smiles on the faces of those bosses when they get the auto-transmission diesel models next year, introducing a whole new generation to diesel passenger cars.