Hyundai i30 review - MPG, CO2 and Running Costs

All Hyundai i30 models return reasonable fuel economy, though if rock-bottom running costs are a priority, then opt for the fleet-friendly diesel. The 1.6-litre CRDi diesel engine will return 74.3mpg on the combined cycle when paired to the standard six-speed manual gearbox, while also emitting 99g/km of CO2. The DCT auto is slightly less frugal, managing a still impressive 68.9mpg and 109g/km. The higher-power 136bhp diesel is auto only, but returns 65.7mpg.

Next best is the 1.0-litre turbo petrol. It’s our pick of the range, feeling sprightly and agile, while also returning a decent 56.5mpg. It’ll emit 115g/km of CO2 and escapes the three per cent Benefit in Kind diesel tax surcharge if you’re a company car driver.

The 1.4-litre turbo petrol is the least economical of the standard i30 models, emitting 124g/km of CO2 while returning 52.3mpg. The DCT auto doesn’t affect these numbers all that much, though, returning 51.4mpg and 125g/km of CO2.

All cars come with Hyundai’s stop-start technology, which shuts off the engine in traffic. Unfortunately, there’s no super-frugal eco model like Volkswagen has managed with the Golf BlueMotion. If you want a hybrid or electric Hyundai, you'll need to look towards the excellent Ioniq family car.

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Insurance groups

The extensive list of safety kit should keep insurance prices low, while relatively modest engine outputs will ensure younger drivers can afford to run an i30 without too much trouble. Hyundai i30 insurance groups start at group 8 (for the most basic i30 1.0 in S spec) and rise to 13 for the higher-powered diesel in Premium SE guise. If you want an i30N, you'll need to prepare yourself for bigger premiums; the two models sit in group 27 and 28 respectively.

Depreciation

Accurate Hyundai i30 residual values aren’t yet available. The old car didn’t fare particularly well, though added security features, extra standard equipment and a more efficient range of engines should ensure the new i30 retains more of its value after three years or 36,000 miles. 

That said, we’d avoid the entry-level models if you’re concerned by depreciation. You’re likely to recoup at least part of the extra cost of SE Nav or even Premium cars when the time does eventually come to sell.