Used Hyundai i30 Hatchback 2017-present review

The days of Hyundai missing the style mark are far behind us. Sure, there are even more striking models to reference than the Hyundai i30, but it remains a good reference point, because this third-generation model wears a suit as sharp as any other current family car – a more dashing one than the 2012-2017 Hyundai i30 and 2007-2012 Hyundai i30, we think you'd agree.

Its engine line-up is admirable, too. You can choose between three petrol engines – a 1.0-litre, a 1.4-litre and a 2.0-litre – and a 1.6-litre diesel, all of which are turbocharged. A mid-life update introduced a range of hybrid engines including a 118bhp 1.0 T GDi 48v Hybrid 120, and a 1.5 T-GDi 48v Hybrid 159, which has 157bhp and a special-order 1.6 CRDi 48v Hybrid 136 diesel.

Entry-level S models come with all the basics, including 15in alloy wheels, a digital radio, Bluetooth connectivity and automatic emergency braking, but spend a little more and SE models add a colour touchscreen, rear parking sensors and a leather steering wheel. SE Nav adds an integrated sat-nav with a larger screen, if you can stretch to it.

Premium trim gives you climate control, artificial leather seats that are heated in the front, front and rear parking sensors and additional safety systems, while Premium SE gives you a panoramic sunroof, real leather seats and a heated steering wheel.

The mid-life update that brought in the hybrid engines also ushered in the following trims: N Line, Premium and SE Connect. SE Connect trim has most of what you might reasonably need or desire, including 16in alloy wheels, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gearlever, air-con, automatic lights and wipers, cruise control and power-folding door mirrors. N Line is the sporty option, mirroring the more aggressive looks of the full-fat i30N hot hatch, plus it brings privacy glass and climate control. Premium trim adds further luxuries such as keyless entry, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.

Unfortunately, on the road, none of the older engines are particularly scintillating in terms of performance, with the exception of the 2.0 petrol. This can be found exclusively in the i30N hot hatch, which bucks the trend of the rest of the range by offering genuinely involving handling and exhilarating acceleration. Of the hybrids, the 1.0 features a very small electric motor and battery, for a little electrical ‘kick’ as you drive around, but while there's enough performance for day-to-day driving, it's not going to set your world on fire. The 0-62mph sprint takes 11.2sec, which is slower than some of its rivals.

The i30 suffers from a little more engine and road noise than you might like, too, especially if you choose the 1.0 petrol engine. That said, it’s by no means the worst in its class for refinement; it just can’t quite match up to the best.

Out on the road, most versions of the i30 benefit from a soft suspension set-up that bestows upon it a very agreeable ride on all but the roughest of roads. The downside is that the i30 has a tendency to lean over more in corners, meaning it doesn’t feel as sharp or responsive as some of its more composed rivals. The slow, numb steering doesn’t help – but there is at least plenty of grip.

Inside, first impressions are promising; the i30’s dashboard is easy on the eye and the plastics used throughout are of reasonable quality. It’s a shame that some of them are rather dark, leading the interior to feel a little gloomy, but for the most part it’s not an unpleasant place to be.

You get a decent amount of space up front, too, although in the back it’s a little tighter than rivals such as the Skoda Octavia and Nissan Pulsar. The same can be said for the boot, although you do get slightly more luggage space than you’ll find in either a Volkswagen Golf or Ford Focus.

If you'd like to buy a used i30, or any of the other family cars mentioned here, please look at our classifieds site here.

Prices start at around £9000 for an early i30 of this generation with either average or just above average miles. You’ll find prices are below those of the Volkswagen Golf and Skoda Octavia, and on a par with the Ford Focus, Seat Leon and Peugeot 308. Spend between £9000 and £11,000 on good 2017 cars, around £12,000 on 2018 and 2019 low-mileage models and around £14,000 on 2020 cars. For a 2021 car, expect to pay upwards of £15,000. Go newer and you'll likely rise above the £20,000 boundary quite quickly.

If you want to find out whether an i30 you’re thinking of buying is really worth the price that’s being asked, try What Car?'s free valuation tool.

Find a used Hyundai i30 for sale here

MPG

While the i30’s engines are from the ‘small and turbocharged’ school of thought that should mean they’re extremely economical, they aren’t quite as advanced or clever as those of some rivals, with the result that fuel economy, particularly for the 1.4-litre petrol, lags far behind with a WLTP economy figure of 48.7mpg, although, the more powerful 2.0-litre found in the i30N is far worse at 36.2mpg. The 1.0-litre petrol and 1.6-litre diesel are both better at 51.4mpg and 58.9mpg respectively, but neither can match the very best in the class.

Of the later hybrids, the 1.0T GDi averages 53.3mpg, the 1.6 CRDi 61.4mpg, and the 1.5T GDi 44.8mpg.

Road tax

Only a handful of i30s will have been registered before the 1 April 2017 cutoff for the new tax regime. If yours is one of these cars, rejoice, because you’ll pay considerably less tax – although your bills won’t be quite as low as those from other manufacturers, due to the i30’s slightly higher emissions figures. If your car was registered after 1 April 2017, by contrast, you’ll pay a flat rate fee every year. This is currently £165 per year for petrol and diesel cars, and £155 for hybrid cars.

Servicing

Servicing and repair costs on Hyundais are generally very reasonable compared with those of most other makes. However, keep in mind that Hyundai’s discounted out-of-warranty menu service pricing scheme won’t kick in until your i30 hits five years old; for other manufacturers, it starts at three years old.

Engines

Of all the older pre-facelift engines, the 1.0 represents the best compromise between efficiency, performance and cost. It’s hardly a ball of fire, but the more powerful 1.4 is too thirsty and too costly to tax to justify. The 1.6 diesel, however, is a decent alternative if you’re doing higher mileages.

Trims

SE and SE Nav are the ones to go for from the earlier cars because you get a lot more equipment over the entry-level S without having to fork out too much. Premium and Premium SE are rather expensive to buy and aren't really worth the extra outlay unless you must have a car with all the toys..

Our favourite used Hyundai i30 1.0 T-GDi SE Nav

The obvious alternative is the Seat Leon, whose excellent blend of value, equipment, build quality, space and driving excitement make it a compelling used buy. Or if you fancy something that’s even more spacious, you could choose the Leon’s more expensive sibling, the Skoda Octavia.

If you’ve got a bit more cash to splash, there’s always the Volkswagen Golf, which is about the same size as the i30 but is classier inside, more efficient and better to drive. Alternatively, if reliability is key, the 2017-onward Honda Civic is worth a look.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? Newsletter here

If you'd like to buy a used i30, or any of the other family cars mentioned here, please look at our classifieds site here.