Hyundai i30 hatchback (2007- ) expert review

Hyundai’s looks have improved massively over the past decade and the Hyundai i30 continues the trend. All models have alloy wheels as standard with our top-end model fitted with 17-inch items. The rear of the i30 bears similarities to the BMW 1 Series with its long curvaceous lights and boot lid. It’s a safe design, but definitely not boring.

The Hyundai i30’s interior is a place of purpose rather than a place of radical design. There is nothing over-inspiring with lots of dark plastic adorning the trim. The dials are easy-to-understand and have a cool blue glow, while the centre console is functional with a large display screen for the sound system.

The Hyundai i30 has a longer wheelbase to give increased legroom and comfort for passengers. As a result the i30 comfortably transports four adults, but a fifth will be a stretch. The boot is a disappointing 340 litres up against the likes of the Honda Civic (485 litres). All-round vision is good and parking – thanks to the light steering – is fairly easy for a car its size.

The i30 is a competent but not brilliant handling car up against the likes of the excellent Ford Focus, while steering is refined. There is sufficient grip and the ride is comfortable on all surfaces.

Our car was fitted with a 2-litre turbodiesel producing 138bhp and 224lb/ft of torque. This accelerates the Hyundai i30 from 0-62mph in 10.3 seconds and on to a top speed 127mph. While the acceleration isn’t rapid, overtaking and hill-climbing is easy. With three passengers and a full boot the i30 maintained its performance well on the motorway. Other engines include 1.4 and 1.6-litre petrol engines with top speeds of 116mph and 119mph respectively and a 1.6-litre diesel which tops out at 116mph. All models except the 2-litre are available with an automatic gearbox.

Again, the diesel engine impressed us, managing a combined 51.4mpg and on long motorway journeys, 62.8mpg. And emissions of 145g/km place it in a mid-table tax band. But the real money saver is the 1.6-litre diesel model which – when driven sensibly – will average 60.1mpg and emits just 125g/km. That’s considerably less than the 2-litre diesel but remains in the same band. Insurance premiums shouldn’t punish the wallet either with the entry-level 1.4-litre petrol in group four and the top-end diesel group eight.

In theory the Hyundai i30 should be as near to hassle-free motoring as possible with the Korean car maker ranked 8th in the reliability index. The i30 felt solidly built with masses of hard, durable plastics. And while it’s a new car, Hyundai is banking on its reliability that it offers the i30 with the brilliant five-year warranty. The only car with a more comprehensive warranty is the Kia Cee’d which has seven years of cover and shares the same platform as the i30.

Six airbags, traction control and electronic stability programme are fitted as standard. The seatbelt warning system lights up when the driver or passenger isn’t strapped in. In the Euro NCAP crash test programme, the i30 was awarded four stars for passenger protection (the same as the Honda Civic, but behind the five star Ford Focus).

The Hyundai i30 comes in three trim levels; Comfort, Style and Premium. The entry level Comfort features 15-inch alloys, all-round electric windows, air-con, glovebox cooling, heated door mirrors body, front fog lights and steering wheel controls for the sound system. The Style range adds 16-inch wheels, auto lighting control, part leather seat trim and a tyre pressure monitoring system. Opt for the range-topping Premium trim and there are 17-inch alloys, reversing sensors, full climate control and heated front seats.

The Hyundai i30 has followed the Kia Cee’d and become a genuine rival to more established European hatchbacks. It has performance, safety and a huge amount of equipment. It also comes with the brilliant five-year warranty so expect the i30 to hold its value well in the used car market. It’s not as good looking as the Honda Civic or as competent performer as the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf but it holds its own as an all-round hatch.