The Hyundai i30 is a well-made and refined family car, but it fails to excite in a class with plenty of dynamic and stylish rivals.
Hyundai’s latest i30 does enough to keep up with a host of very talented family hatchback rivals including the Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra and Volkswagen Golf. It’s not the most exciting compact family car on the market, but it’s well-built, refined, economical, and comes with a wealth of standard equipment.
The entry-level 1.0 T-GDi petrol engine is our favourite, as it delivers a real driving experience despite its seemingly modest power output. The Renault Megane is sleeker and the Seat Leon more fun to drive, but the i30 should find its way onto your shortlist if you’re in the market for a logical alternative to the Vauxhall Astra – or the mechanically similar Kia Ceed.
Among talented opponents in the family hatchback segment, the i30 is a slightly uninspiring choice, but it has its own selling points. The i30 is available as a five-door hatchback, and the Tourer and Fastback five-door coupe. There are faster i30 N hatchback and fastback versions.
The i30 has recently been updated with the aim of increasing its appeal. With its gorgeous LED headlights and bold new grille, the i30 is certainly smarter than before – although Hyundai hasn’t gone to the same lengths as it did with the iconic Tucson SUV. The changes are less noticeable around the back, except for a slightly more attractive set of taillights. There’s also a sleeker look to the i30s with the N Line, as Hyundai looks to tempt buyers away from alternatives such as the popular Ford Focus ST-Line range and SEAT Leon’s FR models – trim levels that add a sporty flavor to traditional hatchbacks by mirroring the styling of the hatchback versions with Relevance.
Within the facelift, Hyundai has also simplified the i30 range.
There is no longer a lightly equipped S model, so SE Connect is now the entry level specification. As a result, alloy wheels, a rearview camera and an 8-inch touchscreen (with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity) are all now standard. The N Line adds dual-zone air conditioning, sports seats, a digital instrument cluster and a larger touchscreen, while the Premium is very well equipped, with heaters for the front seats and steering wheel and a wireless charging pad.
The engines consist of two mild-hybrid petrol units and a diesel engine. The range starts with the 1.0 T-GDi 118bhp three-cylinder turbo petrol engine (GDi stands for petrol direct injection). Since it’s available on SE Connect and Premium versions, we expect this engine to be a big seller. Above that is a new 1.5 T-GDi 157bhp petrol engine, which is reserved for the sporty N-Line model. There was also a 1.6 CRDi diesel option previously, but this has since been discontinued.
All models are fitted with a six-speed ‘intelligent’ manual gearbox as standard, or each can be fitted with a seven-speed dual-clutch DCT automatic. The upgrade costs £1,200, and has a slight negative impact on emissions and economy.
The i30 N hot hatch is the flagship of the range and was the first in the performance segment to be launched under the ‘N’ sub-brand. The latest version comes with 276 horsepower and 392 Nm of torque.
As we’ve already mentioned, the i30 is in a fiercely competitive segment with a variety of very strong rivals.
Chief among these are mainstream picks like the VW Golf and Peugeot 308. These all have a distinct feel about them that the i30 struggles to match. Elsewhere, the Skoda Octavia blends quality and space, while the Seat Leon, Mazda3 and Ford Focus are sporty options, the Toyota Corolla throws a hybrid powertrain into the mix, and the Alfa Romeo Giulietta is dated but different, while the Fiat Tipo is a budget alternative.
Engine performance in the Hyundai i30
The Hyundai i30 is a capable and well-running car, one that easily competes with the best in its class when it comes to long-distance refinement. The Seat Leon and Ford Focus are more fun, although the entry-level i30 feels comfortable and refined to drive thanks to its lightweight three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine.
What’s important with a hatchback like this is ride quality. The i30 handles rough roads well up to a point, after which the suspension starts to struggle. Despite the new model’s more advanced rear axle, there is a noticeable level of body movement that can be felt from the cabin. The Volkswagen Golf is better at absorbing bumps, while the N Line models’ ride shortcomings are compounded by their stiffer suspension and larger wheels.
Aside from this, the i30 is a comfortable cruiser, with enough wheel control to overcome most surface imperfections and keep passengers calm. The downside is that the Hyundai isn’t all that dynamic. There’s plenty of grip, but you wouldn’t know it from the steering. While Hyundai has ditched the largely ineffective FlexSteer power-assist system, the wheel still feels lifeless, with a constant heaviness no matter how fast you go or how much lock you add. As a result, the wheel feels lethargic, although the somewhat positive six-speed manual goes some way to salvaging the driving experience.
The base 1.0-litre engine now also comes with the option of a seven-speed automatic gearbox, along with a six-speed manual transmission as standard, just like the more powerful petrol models. The automatic option costs £1,200 across the range, barely affects fuel economy and shifts smoothly under gentle acceleration. Push too hard and you’ll wish you had chosen the manual.
The new i30 N is a great car to drive, so much so that we gave it a full five-star rating on our first drive in Germany. Although it’s not as fast or powerful as the Honda Civic Type R, its gorgeous chassis and superb steering are certainly worthy of admiration. It races to redline with almost no turbo lag, with a six-speed shiftable gearbox adding to the exciting driving. We also like the rev-matching technology, which allows for quick and smooth low-speed shifting without the need for heel-and-toe shifting.
The Model N received some mechanical tweaks in early 2020 which helped it perform a bit more on UK tarmac than the original model. However, the firm ride remains, so we still used the excellent customization feature to fine-tune our “Sport” setting, combining the more aggressive power delivery with the more comfortable dampers.
There are a lot of security tools in the new i30, most of which are running away in the background. Autonomous emergency braking and forward collision warning are included along with lane keep assist and driver attention alert.
The Hyundai i30 range currently includes two petrol engine options (three if you include the 2.0-litre in the i30 N hot hatch) – an entry-level 1.0 T-GDi turbo petrol that offers the best combination of performance and running costs.
Luxuries in the Hyundai i30
Despite some quality issues inside, the i30 feels well-built and well-designed. The clear infotainment screen is also a blessing
The Hyundai i30 was designed, developed and tested in Europe, specifically for European buyers. While this clearly affects the way the car handles the UK’s broken and uneven roads, it also affects how owners interact with the simple, well-planned interior.
All models come with a touchscreen now that the base specification is no longer available (it only had an old-fashioned-looking radio screen). The touchscreen measures eight inches on the SE Connect and 10.25 inches elsewhere. Both versions get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the top version also gets Hyundai’s built-in satellite navigation system. The car looks put together, although some scratchy plastics let down what is otherwise an interior.
On the outside, the new i30 represents the brand’s new design language with a new cascading grille and bold LED headlights. It’s not as impressive as the Renault Megane, or even as stunning as the Seat Leon, but it easily matches nondescript rivals like the Volkswagen Golf or Ford Focus. The stylish LED taillights give the car a distinctive signature at night.
There are plenty of tech options available in Hyundai’s latest i30, including all the latest connectivity features. Plenty of safety gadgets are included as standard, while things like rear cross-traffic alert are available on top-spec cars.
The touchscreen system is clear and responsive, despite the dated-looking graphics, while live services, such as traffic and weather alerts and a speed camera, make life on the road easier. A free seven-year subscription to Hyundai Direct Services comes as standard, while wireless phone charging is also included with SE Nav.
We found it easy to pair our phone and use the available calling apps, while a decent screen also means the reversing camera gives a nicely detailed image, making maneuvering easier. Hotkeys mounted at the bottom of the screen also make it relatively easy to navigate to specific areas of the system. Moving the buttons from the sides of the screen also updated the interior a bit.
The Hyundai i30 is available as a five-door hatchback or tourer. Unlike its predecessor, there is no three-door scheme, although a five-door fastback joined the range at the end of 2017.
In-cabin storage is good, with a good bin between the front seats and decent-sized door pockets good enough for a water bottle. There’s also a handy storage area in front of the gear lever to put your phone and wallet out of harm’s way.
Despite its square tailgate and high roofline, the Hyundai i30 isn’t the roomiest family car on sale. Space in the back is adequate for most adults, but those taller than six feet will find their heads rubbing against the ceiling. Knee space is also decent, but if passenger space is a priority, the Skoda Octavia will fit the bill better.
The i30 Fastback is surprisingly compact for a coupe, with as much headroom as a hatchback and almost as much legroom. Even with a six-foot passenger behind a six-foot driver, there’s enough room for both.
Meanwhile, headroom is good with plenty of movement in the seating position and steering wheel with seat and lever adjustment standard on all models. Everything is located logically – especially those with a larger touchscreen.
The i30’s seats fold in one very simple motion to reveal a maximum capacity of 1,301 litres. That’s 91 liters more than the Astra but 279 liters more than the Octavia. Those who want more space should opt for the new Hyundai i30 Tourer Estate, which offers 602 liters of space, or the i30 Fastback, which features a 450-litre boot. The i30 Fastback retains the hatchback’s tailgate, so it’s more versatile than the Toyota Corolla saloon or Mazda 3 Fastback saloon.
Safety features in the Hyundai i30
No matter which model you choose, the Hyundai i30 should be a safe and reliable family car. The brand itself finished 11th out of 29 in the 2022 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, ahead of established rivals such as Ford, Vauxhall and Volkswagen but behind Honda, Peugeot and sister brand Kia. Reliability data across the Hyundai range indicates average performance, with about 21 percent of respondents reporting a fault in the first year of ownership. These are likely minor vibrations as no major reliability issues have been reported.
The Hyundai i30’s safety suite is very comprehensive – all cars get autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keeping assist, high beam assistant and driver attention alert. The Rear Cross Traffic Alert system, which checks for hazards behind the vehicle when reversing, can also be specified as an option.
Thanks to its standard safety kit, the i30 received a five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating of 88 per cent, putting it near the top of the safety ratings in the compact hatchback segment.
Like all Hyundai products, the new i30 gets a five-year unlimited mileage warranty. Depending on how often you use your car, this may be more beneficial than sister company Kia’s seven-year warranty, which is limited to 100,000 miles.
Whichever way you look at it, Hyundai’s warranty beats Vauxhall and Volkswagen’s at three years, 60,000 miles. Of course, like its competitors, wear items like tires and clutches are excluded, and you’ll need to take them into account when calculating your lifetime costs.
Hyundai i30 price
The price of the 2022 Hyundai i30 varies greatly due to the different categories, shapes, and packages available for this car, and prices range approximately between 23,000 and 54,000 US dollars. Here are the average prices for the Hyundai i30 hatchback:
- Base manual: $23,720.
- Base automatic: $25,720.
- Active automatic: $27,220.
- Elite automatic: $30,520
- N Line manual: $29,720.
- N Line double carrier: $31,720.
- N Line Premium Manual: $34,520.
- N Line Premium Dual Carrier: $36,520.
- N manual: $44,500.
- N dual carrier: $47,500.
- N Premium Manual: $47,500.
- N Premium Manual: $49,000 (with sunroof)
- N Premium Duplex: $52,000 (with sunroof)
Hyundai i30 Sedan prices are estimated as follows:
- Active manual: $25,690.
- Elite automatic: $31,690.
- N Line manual: $31,190.
- N Line double carrier: $33,190.
- N Line Premium Dual Carrier: $38,190.
- N Premium Manual: $49,000.
- N Premium Dual Transmission: $49,000.
- N Premium manual: $51,000 (with sunroof).
- N Premium Duplex: $51,000 (with sunroof).
