Hyundai i30 - TopCarNews

Hyundai i30 (2017 – present) | Expert Rating [hide]

Summary

The Hyundai i30 is a mid-sized family car range that consists of hatchback, liftback (i30 Fastback) and estate (i30 Tourer) body styles. The current model is the third generation i30, launched in late 2016 before going on sale in the UK in early 2017.

There is a high-performance version of the i30, called the i30 N. We have a separate page for this model here.

The Hyundai i30 has received average to good reviews from the UK motoring media, and ranks right in the middle of the midfield for this sector. It has been praised for its practicality and low running costs, although has been criticised for a lack of driver appeal compared to some of its rivals.

The i30 was updated in late 2020, with the most obvious difference being sharper front-end styling. There were also some equipment updates, while the engines are now all mild-hybrid units for extra electrical booost. This was an update to the existing vehicle, rather than an all-new model.

As of December 2021, the Hyundai i30 has an Expert Rating of 57% based on 37 reviews. That puts it quite a long way down on the best cars in its class, not far off the bottom of the barrel.

Reliability tends to be a strong point of the i30, although the data is mixed. In a 2021 What Car? reliability survey, the i30 ranked second out of 24 cars in the family car category. This was a substantial improvement from the 2020 survey, where it ranked only 17th out of 24 cars.

Key specifications

Body style: Five-door hatch, liftback and estateEngines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £20,990 on-road

Launched: Winter 2016/17Last updated: Autumn 2020
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Hyundai i30 Fastback (2020 facelift)

Hyundai i30 hatchback (2020 facelift)

Hyundai i30 hatchback (2017 – 2020)

Hyundai i30 Tourer (2017 – 2020)

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol automatic Fastback N LineScore: 6 / 10“The Hyundai i30 N Line Fastback certainly adds a little more excitement to the compact family car class, but behind the looks is a car that falls short in key areas. The sluggish dual-clutch gearbox and overly firm ride compromise the overall package and its ability as a family car.”
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Model reviewed: Hatchback rangeScore: 6 / 10“The Hyundai i30 is a well-built and refined family car, but it fails to excite in a class with plenty of dynamic and stylish rivals.”
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Model reviewed: Fastback rangeScore: 7 / 10“The i30 Fastback adds some coupe style to the Hyundai compact hatchback formula.”
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Model reviewed: Estate rangeScore: 6 / 10“Spacious, economical, safe, and well-equipped, but an unrewarding drive lets the Hyundai i30 Tourer down.”
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Auto Trader

Model reviewed: Fastback rangeScore: 7 / 10“The Hyundai i30 Fastback is comfortable, smooth and good value for money.”
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Model reviewed: Tourer (estate) rangeScore: 7.2 / 10“The Hyundai i30 Tourer is not short of appeal. However, the i30 is nowhere close to being the last word in quality or driving pleasure, and as a result, some rivals are better all-rounders.”
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Model reviewed: Hatchback rangeScore: 7 / 10“The Hyundai i30 is an appealing car, especially if you value comfort. It’s also well-equipped, spacious, attractively priced and comes with the reassurance of a five-year/unlimited mileage, no-quibble warranty. However, some of the i30’s rivals are higher quality and more fun to drive.”
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Autocar

Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol (mild hybrid) manual PremiumScore: 7 / 10“The facelifted Hyundai i30 is a likeable and sensible car, then, but if you want something that can reward and entertain as well as doing all the usual workaday stuff, then the Focus, Golf and Mazda 3 should be ahead of it on your list.”
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Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“The competent, servile, inoffensive-looking Hyundai i30 offers little to like or dislike.”
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Business Car

Model reviewed: SE Connect 2021Score: 6 / 10“The 120hp i30 is handsome enough but feels more sluggish than expected.”
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Car

Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol (mild hybrid) manual facelift hatchbackScore: 6 / 10“Don’t for one moment think the Hyundai i30 has actually changed its place in the market. This update has made it slightly more appealing, but it’s ultimately a solid, dependable, fairly boring family hatchback with a solid five-year warranty.”
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Model reviewed: (estate range)Score: 6 / 10“Estate cars can be very good, or at least interesting. But the Hyundai i30 isn’t class leading in any area, nor is it particularly remarkable.”
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Model reviewed: (fastback range)Score: 6 / 10“The Fastback is a niche proposition, but one that’ll appeal to a particular type of buyer. It’s certainly the elegant option in the Hyundai i30 line-up, if that’s what you’re looking for, and thanks to that design it’s a far more interesting proposition than most cars of this size and price point.”
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Model reviewed: 1.4-litre petrol manual hatchback PremiumScore: 6 / 10“The main issue in our eyes is that it’s simply not very interesting, with derivative styling and a capable but not captivating drive. It’s solid and staid, and ideal for those looking for a straightforward car that’s effortless to live with.”
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Carbuyer

Model reviewed: (hatchback range)Score: 8.2 / 10“The Hyundai i30 is comfortable enough for long motorway drives and loaded with safety kit, making it easy to overlook its weaker points.”
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Model reviewed: (fastback range)Score: 7.4 / 10“The talented Hyundai i30 gets the five-door coupe treatment.”
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Model reviewed: (estate range)Score: 8.4 / 10“If practicality and safety are priorities, make a beeline for the Hyundai i30 Tourer.”
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Carwow

Model reviewed: i30 Tourer estate rangeScore: 6 / 10“The Hyundai i30 Tourer is spacious, comfortable and looks classy, but it’s not in any way exciting.”
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Model reviewed: Fastback rangeScore: 6 / 10“The Hyundai i30 Fastback takes a regular i30 hatchback and adds a lower roof and a sleeker front end for some extra style points. Sadly, this coupe-like shape limits rear-seat headroom.”
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Model reviewed: Hatchback rangeScore: 6 / 10“The Hyundai i30 is a spacious, comfortable family car with a big boot but it’s slightly let down by some cheap-feeling interior trims – especially in entry-level models.”
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Company Car Today

Model reviewed: 1.0 petrol manual SE Connect“Sleeker new front-end design is an enhancement, and increased efficiency and spec are welcome additions to an understated and underrated core lower-medium model.”
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Evo

Score: 4 / 10“An all-new interior and diesel engine with mild hybrid technology mark out the facelifted XF in the executive class.”
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Fleetworld

“Despite clever kit the efficiency gains are relatively small, but the improved i30 remains a spacious, comfortable, tidy-driving and well-equipped hatch.”
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Heycar

Model reviewed: Fastback rangeScore: 7 / 10“The Hyundai i30 Fastback is £500 more than the equivalent hatchback when it was new. It doesn’t really have any direct rivals and, if you buy into the styling, we think that’s a small price to pay for a distinctive hatch in the crowded small car segment.”
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Model reviewed: Hatchback rangeScore: 7 / 10“The Hyundai i30 is the automotive equivalent to a white good. If you buy your car like you buy a washing machine – looking for something that ticks all the boxes, represents good value for money and has a decent warranty, the i30 could be the family hatchback for you.”
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Honest John

Model reviewed: (fastback range)“If you buy into the styling, we think it’s a small price to pay for a distinctive hatch in the crowded small car segment. That said, we can’t help think the standard, cheaper, more refined and better-riding Hyundai 30 hatch will remain a better proposition for most.”
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Model reviewed: (hatchback range)Score: 8 / 10“The Vauxhall Astra, Skoda Octavia and Volkswagen Golf are all excellent family cars and while the Hyundai i30 is better than ever, it still only as good as those key rivals – not better. But for a pragmatic car buyer it’s great, especially when you remember that it comes with a five-year, unlimited mileage warranty.”
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Motoring Research

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 6 / 10“The i30 is Hyundai’s mid-size hatchback. It majors on ease-of-driving, comfort and value for money, backed up by a long warranty.”
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Parkers

Model reviewed: Fastback rangeScore: 7.8 / 10“Eye-catching Fastback is good to drive and appealingly different”
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Model reviewed: Hatchback rangeScore: 8.4 / 10“Grown-up family hatch is packed with equipment”
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Model reviewed: Estate rangeScore: 8.4 / 10“A safe, solid alternative to the class leaders”
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The Telegraph

Model reviewed: (fastback range)Score: 6 / 10“As with any i30, this new Fastback is a great option if your priorities are value, comfort, equipment and a hassle-free ownership experience. It’s just a shame Hyundai couldn’t have injected a bit more interest into the driving experience.”
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Model reviewed: (estate range)Score: 6 / 10“That it is practical and represents good value is to be commended, but the Hyundai i30 Tourer is sadly also about as exciting as the white goods its boot has been designed to carry.”
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Model reviewed: (hatchback range)Score: 7 / 10“While not an exciting car to drive, the Hyundai i30 is strong enough in other areas to be worth considering. In particular, it is quiet and comfortable on a long journey, packed with equipment and has an excellent warranty. If you can secure a good discount it’s well worth a look.”
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Top Gear

Model reviewed: (range review)Score: 7 / 10“Want a hatchback that’s simple to drive, cheap to run and with the peace of mind of a nice chunky warranty? The Hyundai i30 should fall right into your crosshairs. It’s a sensible and rational rival to the class establishment, but then it’s priced right against them, too.”
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What Car?

Model reviewed: (range review)Score: 6 / 10“The Hyundai i30 is worth considering if you value practicality and ease of ownership above driving enjoyment or the lowest running costs. The i30 is pretty comfy over bumps and its engines are refined, but rivals such as the Ford Focus add extra driver appeal to the mix.”
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Which?

Model reviewed: Hatchback range“The Hyundai i30 is a mature-feeling hatchback. It’s on a par with mainstream rivals in many areas, with decent practicality and lots of equipment. It may not be outstanding in any area, but it does offer solid, no-nonsense motoring.”
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Model reviewed: Estate range“The Hyundai i30 Tourer is a mature-feeling medium estate car with a good-sized boot and plenty of equipment as standard. It’s not really outstanding in any area but instead offers solid, no-nonsense motoring with the back-up of a five-year warranty.”
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Model reviewed: Fastback“The Hyundai i30 Fastback attempts to add a bit of coupé style to the medium hatchback class. The low roofline doesn’t affect boot space too much, but does reduce headroom in the rear. This is a well-equipped car that’s good to drive, but doesn’t really stand out in any area.”
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Safety rating

Overall rating: 5 stars
Date tested: July 2017

88%

ADULT OCCUPANT

84%

CHILD OCCUPANT

64%

VULNERABLE ROAD USERS

68%

SAFETY ASSIST

Read full Euro NCAP review

Eco rating

No eco rating

The Hyundai i30 has not been lab tested by Green NCAP. This is a new initiative, launched in 2018 as a sister organisation to Euro NCAP.

As yet, very few new cars have been tested for environmental impact by Green NCAP, and inevitably the testing programme was halted in early 2020 by the coronavirus pandemic. If the i30 is selected to be put through its paces, we’ll publish the results here.

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