The Hyundai i30 is a dependable, albeit uninspiring, hatchback alternative to the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf. Imagine it being something similar to a McDonald’s cheeseburger. Although it’s not the most thrilling option on the menu, it’s good value for the money and will make you feel satisfied.
The Hyundai i30 has recently undergone an update, similar to a recipe change. The i30 has a larger slotted grille up front than previously, and LED lights are standard on all except entry-level models, adding to the sleeker appearance. The rear is mostly the same, but again, LED taillights are standard on all save the most affordable variants, and the bumper has undergone a modest modification.
With the addition of a new 10-inch infotainment system, a part-digital instrument display, and the choice of grey trim, the Hyundai i30’s interior has also undergone a slight update, albeit most things have remained essentially unchanged.
That’s actually not a bad thing. The Hyundai i30’s interior may be a little bland, but it’s actually fairly well made, making good use of soft-touch materials and having a solid feel all over.
The Hyundai i30’s excellent seat and steering wheel adjustments make it easy to find a comfortable driving position, and there is also plenty of headroom available. Even the tallest passengers won’t have trouble getting in the rear, and there should be plenty room for them to spread out comfortably.
The Hyundai i30 is a terrific all-arounder, but it lacks any unique selling points.
Bringing children in is also simple. Once a child’s seat is installed, there is so much space that you won’t have to give up comfort up front by shifting the seats forward. The back doors open widely to facilitate quick access.
The 395 liter boot is standard for its class and is 15 more than the Volkswagen Golf and 20 more than the Ford Focus. However, if having a huge 600 liter boot is your top priority, you should look at the Skoda Octavia.
The Hyundai i30 offers three gasoline and one diesel engines, all of which have 48-volt mild hybrid technology. To increase efficiency, this technology provides a small battery boost to the engine as it accelerates. Choose the more potent 1.5-litre petrol engine for a fantastic all-arounder, which has a nice balance of performance and economy. The diesel will only be worthwhile if you drive a lot of miles.
The Hyundai i30 is quite capable in urban areas. Manoeuvrability is made simple with light steering and a reasonable turning radius, while the suspension gently accompanies road imperfections. Although the clutch in manual cars has a high bitepoint and is soft, it can become grating when pulling away from intersections and in stop-and-go traffic.
Although not as entertaining as some of its rivals, it performs rather well on twistier roads as well. Look into the Ford Focus if you want a more exhilarating driving experience.
All things considered, though, the Hyundai i30 is still pretty comparable to a standard hamburger. There is much to like, but not much that will make your heart race. View the most recent Hyundai i30 offers, or if you’re looking for a vehicle that’s more fun to drive, consider the Ford Focus or the Volkswagen Golf for a little more comfort inside.
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What is the conclusion?
“A highly practical, standard-issue car that will make your life simple but uninteresting”
Want a hatchback with a good warranty, is easy to drive, and is inexpensive to operate? You should immediately have the upgraded Hyundai i30 in your sights. It is a reasonable and rational competitor to the class establishment, but it is also fairly priced in comparison to them.
We advise looking elsewhere, specifically at the Ford Focus, Seat Leon, and Mazda 3 we mentioned earlier in the study if you seek an emotional connection with your car or a driving experience that does more than cosset you and make you comfortable. The standard i30 is not a vehicle that will make you smile inexplicably.
The Hyundai i30 is a well-made and elegant family car, but it falls short of thrilling in a segment where there are many dynamic and fashionable rivals.
An illustration of a Personal Contract Purchase: Cash price PS10,000, deposit PS150, and borrowing PS8,500 for 4 years at a representative 7.4% APR (fixed). A total of PS4127.50 will be paid after 47 instalments of PS132.04. PS1833.38 is the total cost of credit. Payable in total is PS11,833.38. 8,000 miles per year as a base. If excess miles is used, there are fees. Finance subject to status; only those 18+.
Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra, and Volkswagen Golf are just a few of the highly strong family hatchback competitors that the most recent Hyundai i30 manages to stay up with. The tiny family car isn’t the most thrilling one on the market, but it’s solidly made, efficient, and has a lot of standard equipment.
Our favorite engine is the base 1.0 T-GDi petrol unit because, despite its comparatively low power output, it provides a fully mature driving experience. The SEAT Leon is more enjoyable to drive and the Renault Megane is more elegant, but if you’re looking for a sensible substitute for the Vauxhall Astra or the mechanically similar Kia Ceed, the i30 should be on your short list.
A SEDAN HIGHLIGHTS
The entry price for the brand-new i30 Sedan (which was created from the ashes of the Elantra) is significantly higher at $29K for the “i30 Active”. Hooray! They’ve given it a name.
That naturally entails cloth seating and a ton of blanking places in the center instrument tunnel for features, such as those not included in the Elite.
Despite a $5000 price increase for the latter second model grade, the sedan’s 2.0-liter gasoline engine is the same in Active and Elite. Thankfully, the huge 10-inch touchscreen, the Bose premium fat beats sound system, the smartkey and push-button start, and the addition of smart blindspot monitoring to the safety tech are all included for that 5K.
If you begin to merge into someone the vehicle detects in your “blind spot,” “blindspot monitoring assistance” slows and nudges the vehicle back into your lane.
The standard 6-speed regular epicyclic auto transmission is also available for Sedan Elite. So unless you choose the N-Line, you can’t have a dual-clutch transmission that shifts quickly. Fortunately, and rather counterintuitively, you might be able to save a few thousand dollars by purchasing an N-Line sedan, which includes a number of sporty accents like stitching, logos on the steering wheel and gearknob, LED taillamps, etc. The Bose stereo, however, is lost. Bummer.
Overall, the sedan is a small-medium family vehicle that has been very well executed. It has plenty of legroom for tall people, a large boot for those of you who enjoy hoarding, and all the usual space and attachment points for two ISOFIX child anchorages on the outboard seats with corresponding top tethers. similar to hatch
Due to the lack of custom Australian tune, it rides slightly harder than the hatch, but it’s still manageable. It will be a highly reliable and cozy mid-size move.
Also, consider the money you’ll save by not purchasing an SUV, which is heavier, more expensive, and more difficult to park. However, an SUV like the Kia Sportage would make entry and leave much easier than a lower-slung sedan or hatchback if you have mobility concerns.
Additionally, the i30 only has front-wheel drive, so there are no sketchy backroads for camping for you. The Subaru Impreza is a good option if you do need an AWD sedan or hatchback.
Other compact car options could include the Hyundai Kona, Kia Seltos, Mazda CX-3, which is lovely, and the Kia Stonic “SUV.”
However, make an effort to be adaptable because the current paucity of new automobile stock may force you to accept what is offered.
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The petrol-only engine lineup is convincing as well; the smaller 1.0-liter offers 118 horsepower while the larger 1.5-liter has 157 horsepower. These are contemporary, nimble, turbocharged engines with fuel-saving mild hybrid technology, making them incredibly efficient and inexpensive to operate. Due to a lack of demand, the 134bhp 1.6-liter diesel engine was eliminated as part of the 2020 facelift.
For those seeking even more power, we suggest the i30 N, which is equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol engine that produces 276 horsepower in addition to several other performance enhancements.
The typical i30 petrol vehicles have fuel economy ranging from 44 to 54 mpg. The 1.5-liter gasoline engine in the lineup is the fastest, reaching 62 mph in less than nine seconds, while the smaller 1.0-litre engine needs 11 seconds and the diesel engine about ten. A seven-speed automatic transmission is now available with all engines, with no impact on performance.
The i30 is both amazing and hard to drive once you get behind the wheel. On the highway, it drives extremely smoothly and quietly, comparable to a Golf or an Astra, but the steering feels jittery, requiring frequent inputs to keep the i30 in the middle of the lane.
The i30’s inside is cozy, attractive, and feels well-made. The dashboard design is conventional, yes, but it’s still nice, and the material quality is generally good, with the exception of one particularly noticeable piece of scratchy plastic. The i30 has somewhat more luggage capacity than the Astra, Focus, Golf, and A3 – but not the Skoda Octavia – thanks to its 395-liter cargo. However, the back seats are only moderately large and six-footers will find them cramped.
Prior to the facelift, there were seven different i30 trim levels available, but Hyundai mercifully reduced the confusing selection to just three models. As a result, the entry-level SE Connect model has a far more generous equipment list while the cheapest S standard was removed due to its lack of equipment. It boasts an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to mirror the apps on your phone on the car’s screen, along with a digital radio, alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, and a reversing camera.
A bigger touchscreen with sat nav, a digital instrument panel, a heated steering wheel, and wireless phone charging are just a few of the opulent features that come with premium. Even though it costs PS3,000 more than SE Connect, the monthly difference might not be very significant.
The sporty N-Line model is the priciest since it boasts a more potent engine. The majority of the Premium version’s features are included, and it also adds a sporty body package that makes the i30 stand out. It serves as a more moderate substitute for the i30 N, the flagship performance model, with comparable performance and reduced operating costs.
After independent crash testing, Euro NCAP gave the i30 five stars, demonstrating the effectiveness of the superb safety kit array. Hyundai’s most recent participation in the 2021 Driver Power survey yielded conflicting reliability findings. Owners of Hyundai vehicles were largely pleased with their dependability, and despite a minor decline from previous years, the company finished 16th overall among 29 manufacturers.
Is a Hyundai i30 a trustworthy vehicle?
Whichever model you choose, the Hyundai i30 ought to be a trustworthy and secure family vehicle. In our 2022 Driver Power customer satisfaction poll, the brand itself placed a respectable 11th out of 29, ahead of well-known competitors like Ford, Vauxhall, and Volkswagen but below Honda, Peugeot, and sister brand Kia. Across the whole Hyundai product line, reliability data point to average performance, with about 21% of respondents reporting a problem within the first year of ownership. Since no significant dependability problems have been recorded, these are most likely minor irritations.
All Hyundai i30 vehicles come equipped with Autonomous Emergency Braking, Front Collision Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, High Beam Assist, and Driver Attention Alert, making the Hyundai i30’s safety equipment very complete. Another choice is Rear Cross Traffic Alert, which looks for dangers when the car is being reversed.
The i30 received a five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating and an 88 percent score thanks to all the included safety equipment, placing it close to the top of the rankings for safety in the compact hatchback class.