HYUNDAI I30 HATCHBACK REVIEW

For The i30 doesn't cost much, but it has lots of luxury and safety kit, generous passenger space and a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty.

Against It's bland inside and out, and neither as classy nor as refined as the best small family cars.

What Car? says

4 out of 5 stars

A competent small family car with an outstanding warranty package. Solid, if a little uninspiring, but you can't argue with the price.

Reader review rating

4.08

The Hyundai i30 Hatchback full review Read in full

Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Small but adequate engine range
Ride & Handling
3 out of 5 stars
Firm but civilised; secure handling
Refinement
3 out of 5 stars
Some engine- and road noise intrudes
Buying & Owning
4 out of 5 stars
Cheap, but no big discounts
Quality & Reliability
3 out of 5 stars
Solid, if not the classiest
Safety & Security
4 out of 5 stars
Excellent safety kit throughout
Behind The Wheel
3 out of 5 stars
Limited steering wheel adjustment
Space & Practicality
3 out of 5 stars
Roomy for passengers and bags
Equipment
5 out of 5 stars
Generous standard equipment

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There are 6 Hyundai i30 versions available

Hyundai i30 Hatchback 1.4 Classic 5dr	£13,780	What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Hyundai i30 Hatchback 1.4 Comfort 5dr	£14,495	What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Hyundai i30 Hatchback 1.6 CRDi 90 Classic 5dr	£15,095	What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Hyundai i30 Hatchback 1.6 Comfort auto 5dr	£16,030	What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hyundai i30 Hatchback 1.6 CRDi 115 Comfort 5dr	£16,170	What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Hyundai i30 Hatchback 1.6 CRDi 115 Premium 5dr	£17,750	What Car? says:3 stars out of 5

Hyundai i30 Hatchback 1.4 Classic 5dr

Cheap to buy and cheap to run, this is a fine car. Some may think it's worth finding the extra for the Comfort model, but we think this - the cheapest model - makes most sense.

What Car? says:4 stars out of 5

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Buyer's notes

Target Price team says:

Of the four engines, we think the entry-level 1.4 petrol is the best buy. It’s punchy enough, and the cheapest way into an i30. The 1.6 only comes with an automatic gearbox that bumps up the running costs, and the higher cost of the diesels means you’ll have to do a lot of miles for them to make economic sense.

Just as the basic engine is best, we think it's sensible to stick with lower trim levels; even the entry-level Classic comes with air-con, electric front windows and stability control. Comfort adds alloys and electric rear windows.

For all that, though, one of the biggest attractions must be the i30’s free five-year Triple Care package - five years’ RAC Roadside Assistance, five years of annual vehicle health checks and the famous five-year unlimited-mileage Hyundai warranty.

It's worth shopping around for a discount, but remember that the i30 already undercuts its more mainstream rivals, so you won't get as big a saving as on a Focus or a Golf.