Nissan Pulsar DIG-T vs Hyundai i30 Turbo & Peugeot 308 GT - pictures

Demand for warm hatches that combine performance with reasonable running costs is growing, and the Nissan Pulsar DIG-T 190 is the latest to join the ranks. Here we test it against the Hyundai i30 Turbo and Peugeot 308 GT.

The Pulsar DIG-T is powered by a 187bhp 1.6-litre turbocharged engine and costs £22,345. 

The Pulsar is refined and composed at cruising speeds.

Inside, the cabin is well laid out with plenty of neat touches, but it's short on flair and quality is patchy. 

The six-speed manual gearbox doesn't have the nicest shift action.

Top-spec Tekna trim adds leather seats (heated in the front).

The cabin is spacious and there's plenty of legroom in the back. The high roofline means access is easy, too. 

Maximum boot space of 1,395 litres is the biggest in this test.

Sporty additions haven't improved the Pulsar's handling, as the steering is a little spongy and devoid of feel in the corners.

Grip is in short supply and the Pulsar is the first to push wide in the corners in this test. There's a lot of roll and it's the slowest car here, too. 

With the addition of a higher-power motor to the range, you might think Nissan's designers would have tweaked the car's styling to match.

There's not even a badge to indicate the Pulsar's extra power.

There's just a single sportier tailpipe on the Pulsar, whereas the Peugeot and Hyundai have twin-exit exhausts.

Let's hope a Nismo makeover - due next year - gives the Pulsar the visual boost it needs.

All engines in these cars are shared elsewhere in the respective ranges.

Hyundai's i30 Turbo is powered by a 1.6-litre turbo, producing 184bhp and costs £23,000.

Firm suspension in the i30 keeps it flat and level, but it's not so firm that it's uncomfortable. It feels quicker than the Pulsar, too, despite it being slightly down on power.

Hyundai's cabin looks the part, with a simple, upmarket dash, but material quality leaves a lot to be desired. 

Red gearlever hints at the car's enhanced performance. A six-speed manual is the only gearbox option on this car.

Red also features on the seats which add a bit of excitement to the i30 Turbo. 

There's decent room in the back.

With the seats up, the i30's boot is the smallest here, at 378 litres. The boot floor is square and a useful shape, but the lip is high and the opening narrow.

Steering is quick and accurate, yet feedback is lacking. 

The i30 is hugely composed in bends, and the firm suspension keeps the car composed in bends.

The Turbo version has a series of styling tweaks over the standard i30 to mark it out as a more sporting option. 

There's only one model, but the i30 Turbo comes packed with kit. 

Large twin-exhausts add to the visual impact at the rear, along with red detailing.

The i30 Turbo is available in both three and five-door forms.

The Peugeot 308 GT is the most expensive car in this test - at £24,095 - and is powered by a 1.6-litre turbo petrol producing 202bhp.

The Peugeot is very quick off the line and was the fastest car of our trio in-gear.

The 308 GT is more focused on comfort than speed, but the red detailing and small steering wheel add a sporty touch. Cabin quality is by far and away the best in this test.

While the heated leather seats will set you back £1,200, there's a strong case to tick them on the options list as they make the cabin feel even more of a cut above the competition. 

Low roofline and rising beltline cuts down the size of the rear windows, making the 308 feel more snug in the rear than the Pulsar and i30.

Boot space of 470 litres is the largest here, despite the 308 being the shortest car.

Through the corners, the handling is engaging and fun.

This GT version is a good bet if you're looking for an everyday balance between comfort and occasional driving enjoyment.

The 308 balances visual aggression with lashings of class, especially when compared to the Pulsar and i30. 

The 308 GT costs over £1,000 more than both of its rivals, but the higher-quality feel means we think it's worth the extra outlay.

Big exhaist hints at the car's performance.

Smart details like the Lion's claw LED tail-lamps, dark tinted windows, big 18-inch alloy wheels and large twin exhausts complete the car's look.