Skip advert
Advertisement

Hyundai i30 UK drive

Our verdict on the new, high-quality Hyundai i30 hatchback - can it compete with the Focus?

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Find your Hyundai i30
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

The i30 can compete with the best on space, style, quality and value. Low emissions and high mpg from the diesel both impress, even if performance is a little flat. Comfort is prioritised over handling, but the i30 is an interesting and tempting alternative to a Focus or a Golf.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Hyundai is taking a more daring approach with the new i30 – whereas the current car is dull, but worthy, the new model remains worthy, but with a great deal more pizzazz.

From the fancy LED driving lights, through some striking and pronounced curves around the front wheelarches and down the flanks, to a pert and attractive rear end, the look is smart and very European. Which is spot on for a car that’s built in Europe – the Czech Republic to be precise.

It’s a similarly stylish story inside, where high-quality, soft-touch plastics adorn an attractive cabin that’s a lot like Hyundai’s bigger Mondeo-rivalling i40.

And there’s much to like – the layout is clear and the driving position is good, but the view over your shoulder is challenged by the narrowing window line, a victim of those curvy lines.

It’s a good job the top two trim levels (Style and Premium) will have a standard reversing camera, with the pictures displayed on the standard sat-nav system.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

I30

2014 Hyundai

I30

106,918 milesManualPetrol1.4L

Cash £4,495
View I30
I30

2020 Hyundai

I30

67,624 milesManualPetrol1.4L

Cash £10,400
View I30
I30

2023 Hyundai

I30

25,164 milesManualPetrol1.5L

Cash £15,300
View I30
I30

2023 Hyundai

I30

37,333 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £11,900
View I30

In fact, standard is a word you tend to use a lot when talking about Hyundais – leather and a glass roof were also on the Premium car we drove. Even entry-level Classic and level two Active will come generously kitted out for the cash.

The range will kick off at around £14,000 when the i30 goes on sale in March, starting with a 1.4 petrol. There’s also a 1.6 petrol plus two 1.6 diesels – we drove the more powerful 128bhp diesel rather than the 110bhp version, but they share excellent economy and CO2 figures of 76mpg and 97g/km, so are exempt from road tax.

The diesel impresses with its refinement on the move and the smoothness of its power delivery, but there’s not too much of it – it’s not especially punchy. Nor is the car a great handler, with quite a bit of body roll and steering that turns the car well enough, but fails to provide much feel of the road.

This isn’t a sports car, though, and for most people the handling and steering will be just fine. They’ll be more interested by a ride that just edges on to the firm side of comfortable.

What everyone will enjoy is the amount of space – the i30 has room for five and one of the biggest boots in the class.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Steve Fowler has previously edited Auto Express, Carbuyer, DrivingElectric, What Car?, Autocar and What Hi-Fi? and has been writing about cars for the best part of 30 years. 

New & used car deals

Hyundai I30

Hyundai I30

RRP £16,720Used from £11,900
Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,495Avg. savings £1,672 off RRP*Used from £12,200
Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £25,915Avg. savings £2,241 off RRP*Used from £20,921
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,200Avg. savings £4,670 off RRP*Used from £16,745
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Peugeot 208 GTi: electric hot hatch gets stunning looks and plenty of power
Peugeot E-208 GTi - reveal front

New Peugeot 208 GTi: electric hot hatch gets stunning looks and plenty of power

Hot Peugeot E-208 gets racier styling, 276bhp and does 0-62mph in just 5.7 seconds
News
13 Jun 2025
New BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort review: the best BYD yet
BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort - front

New BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort review: the best BYD yet

The new BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort is arguably the Chinese brand's most convincing model in its range
Road tests
11 Jun 2025
New entry-level Renault Symbioz is £3k cheaper than a Nissan Qashqai
Renault Symbioz hybrid - front angled

New entry-level Renault Symbioz is £3k cheaper than a Nissan Qashqai

The Renault Captur has also been fitted the new full-hybrid powertrain, which gets a bigger battery for more pure-electric driving
News
12 Jun 2025