Item: Hyundai i30 Tourer
Rating: 3
Author: What Car? Team

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Introduction

Performance & drive

Interior

Passenger & boot space

Costs & verdict

Like the rest of the i30 range the Tourer benefits from a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, which few rivals can match. The ownership package also includes five years of free annual ‘check-ups’ and five years of breakdown cover.

Unfortunately, despite the Tourer’s engines being comparatively small, they’re not exactly the most advanced units, so they’re not quite as efficient as the class best. Fuel economy and CO2 emissions for the 1.4 turbo petrol fall short of rivals’ equivalent units. The 1.0-litre petrol is fractionally cleaner, but it’s the 1.6 diesel that proves to be the most competitive amongst its peers in these respects.

Safety-wise, every Tourer comes with six airbags, hill start assist, tyre pressure monitoring, automatic emergency braking and lane departure technology. Step up to Premium trim and further technology such as blind sport monitoring and cross traffic systems are included, too.

This comprehensive list of standard kit helped the i30 achieve a maximum score of five stars in its recent Euro NCAP crash test, putting it on a par with the class leading <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf/hatchback/review/n17371/buying-owning">VW Golf</a>. Security firm Thatcham is also yet to publish its test results, but the Tourer does come with a standard alarm and immobiliser.

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Hyundai was one of the first mainstream manufacturers to embrace downsizing, and that trend continues here, with the largest engine in the range being a relatively compact 1.6-litre diesel. We have yet to experience said engine in the Tourer, but from our experience in the i30 hatchback, we know that it’s willing at low revs and doesn’t get too breathless at higher speeds - ideal if you find yourself covering plenty of motorway miles.

However, the standout engine in the range is without a doubt Hyundai’s turbocharged 1.0-litre petrol. With its peak pull arriving at a lowly 1500rpm, this small engine is impressively strong and feels at home in the city and on the motorway. And despite being a three cylinder, the motor is surprisingly well insulated - very little noise or vibration makes its way inside the car.

In fact, the 1.0-litre is so capable that it makes the more expensive 1.4-litre petrol feel a little redundant. Granted, on paper the 1.4 is fractionally quicker, but in the real world the difference is negligible. It also drinks more fuel, which isn’t ideal if you plan on covering significant miles.

Unfortunately, though, when it comes to driving, the i30 Tourer feels a fair way off the pace compared with the class best Ford Focus&nbsp;and Volkswagen Golf Estates. The suspension, despite being firm, is not stiff enough to prevent body roll in the corners, and although the steering weight is nicely judged, this doesn’t translate in to any sensation of the road surface and available grip levels.

What is impressive, however, is the i30 Tourer’s level of refinement. From the way the car rides bumps, to the way it isolates you from road and wind noise, the i30 most certainly a car more suited to comfortable cruising on the motorway than winding country roads.

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Fuel 

Gearbox

0-62 MPH

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1.0T GDi

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For the better part of a decade, the new car buying market has been completely and utterly dominated by the SUV. With their rugged looks and ‘active lifestyle’ image, ‘faux-by-four’ sales have soared, while the humble estate – the traditional family car of choice - has simply fallen by the wayside.

Hyundai, like a number of other manufacturers, has been hit by this sudden change in customer buying habits. Where the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/santa-fe/4x4/review/n68">Santa Fe</a> has set sales records across the globe, cars like the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2012-hyundai-i30-tourer-review/">previous generation i30 Tourer</a> barely register in the overall line up.

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So why, you might ask, is the Hyundai i30 Tourer back for more? Well, buyer interest indicating otherwise, the South Korean manufacturer believes there’s still a place for a well equipped, dynamic and fuel-efficient estate.

However, despite the company’s confidence, Hyundai is clearly taking no chances with this new variant. Pricing has been reworked - entry-level S trim level costs considerably less than the previous generation’s starting price – the price gap between the hatch and the estate has been narrowed and every trim comes packed with a comprehensive suite of tech and safety equipment.

Is that enough to ensure its success? Read on to find out.

It’s safe to say that Hyundai has never been known for class-leading interiors, but the i30 Tourer strikes a good balance between functionality and flair. Touch points such as the steering wheel and door trims are lined with plenty of soft and squidgy materials, while big, easy-to-press buttons adorn the dashboard. In terms of fit and finish, the i30 is more than a match for most cars in this class, even if a Golf ultimately looks and feels a little classier still.

Our high-grade test car was fitted with electric seats and an electric steering wheel, both of which were wide ranging in terms of adjustment for a well-tailored driving position.

In terms of infotainment, S versions come with a Bluetooth and DAB radio, and the system is easy to set up, with USB and auxiliary input sockets located at the base of the centre console for easy reach. Step up to SE and you’re treated to a 5.0in colour touchscreen, which is simple to follow if not particularly visually engaging.

SE Nav models and up then get an 8.0in colour touchscreen and although it's not the most graphically sharp system out there,&nbsp;it is easy to navigate, quick to respond and offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto - to operate your smartphone via the screen - as standard.

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Estate

Hyundai has transformed itself from a maker of oddball hatchbacks that sold in small numbers in the UK, to a major rival to the likes of Ford, Vauxhall and Volkswagen.

The Korean firm’s Ioniq Hybrid is particularly impressive, having beaten the trend-setting Toyota Prius when we tested the cars back to back.

Meanwhile, at the extremes of the Hyundai range you find the tiny i10 city car – a four-time What Car? award winner – and the stylish yet family-friendly Santa Fe SUV.

As a bonus, all of these cars come with the reassurance of a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, whereas most of Hyundai’s rivals offer only three years and 60,000 miles of cover.

HYUNDAI

Bland handling and average performance, but importantly the i30 Tourer majors on space and practicality

Although the front seats are mounted fairly high in the cabin,&nbsp;tall adults will find plenty of head and leg room available.

Disappointingly, the rear seats aren't quite so welcoming, certainly when compared to the capacious estate versions of the Skoda Octavia and Vauxhall Astra. Adults over six feet will find their knees resting against the front seatbacks and not a huge amount of room above their heads.

Happily, however, the profile of the rear seat is well judged and supportive, while a very low centre tunnel makes it more comfortable for someone in the middle seat than in most rivals.

As with the hatchback, there is plenty of storage in the front of the cabin, with large door bins, a lidded cubby between the seats on all but entry-level models and a useful space at the base of the centre console. Rear storage is more limited, with small door bins on both doors, but access is good with decent-size rear doors.

The i30 Tourer’s boot is significantly larger than a Vauxhall Astra Tourer’s, but fractionally behind both the Volkswagen Golf Estate and Skoda Octavia Estate. Crucially, though, the load bay is easy to access, fairly close to the ground and has a relatively small loading lip. It’s also easy to fold the rear seats for more load space, but it leaves a small step in the boot floor, which could be restrictive when loading longer objects.

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SE Connect

se-connect

Premium

premium

Bland handling and average performance, but importantly the i30 Tourer majors on space and practicality

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Huge boot and excellent practicality</li> <li>Plenty of interior space so you can carry passengers as well as luggage </li> <li>Strong engines to pull a heavily laden car</li> <li>Comfortable ride, especially on the motorway</li> <li>Low running costs for company car drivers</li></ul>

If you’re after bags of space but you don’t want to commit to the van-like dimensions and styling of an MPV, there are some great estate cars on offer that should do the job.

Tricks to look out for include an electric tailgate&nbsp;that opens automatically when you wave your foot under the rear bumper; this is&nbsp;particularly handy if you’re trying to load in a heavy or&nbsp;bulky item. You should also look for handles in the side of the boot itself that can drop down the rear seats; these are much more convenient than having to walk around the side of the car to do it.

There are some terrific estates at most price ranges. The humble Skoda Fabia Estate offers cavernous space for not much cash at all, for example.

Further up the price range, another of our perennial favourites is the Skoda Superb Estate;&nbsp;it’s great to drive and as practical as most people should ever need. Meanwhile, for serious mile-munching ability and a premium, well-finished interior, it’s hard to look beyond the BMW 5 Series Touring.

Hyundai i30 Tourer review

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Review of Hyundai i30 Tourer interior by the expert What Car? team. Compare in car entertainment system, driving comfort and visibility with similar cars.

It’s safe to say that Hyundai has never been known for class-leading interiors, but the i30 Tourer strikes a good balance between functionality and flair. Touch points such as the steering wheel and door trims are lined with plenty of soft and squidgy materials, while big, easy-to-press buttons adorn the dashboard. In terms of fit and finish, the i30 is more than a match for most cars in this class, even if a Golf ultimately looks and feels a little classier still.,Our high-grade test car was fitted with electric seats and an electric steering wheel, both of which were wide ranging in terms of adjustment for a well-tailored driving position.,In terms of infotainment, S versions come with a Bluetooth and DAB radio, and the system is easy to set up, with USB and auxiliary input sockets located at the base of the centre console for easy reach. Step up to SE and you’re treated to a 5.0in colour touchscreen, which is simple to follow if not particularly visually engaging.SE Nav models and up then get an 8.0in colour touchscreen and although it's not the most graphically sharp system out there, it is easy to navigate, quick to respond and offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto - to operate your smartphone via the screen - as standard.,, 

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Hyundai i30 Tourer review

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