Item: Hyundai i30 Fastback
Rating: 3
Author: Steve Huntingford

Aston Martin DB11

Aston Martin DBS Superleggera

Aston Martin Vanquish

Audi A5 Coupé

Audi A5 Sportback

Audi A7

Audi S5

Audi TT

BMW 2 Series

BMW 4 Series

BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe

BMW 8 Series

Bentley Continental GT

Ford Mustang

Hyundai i30 Fastback

Infiniti Q60

Jaguar F-Type

Lexus RC F

McLaren 650S

McLaren 720S

McLaren GT

Mercedes C Class Coupe

Mercedes CLA

Mercedes CLS

Mercedes E-Class Coupé

Mercedes GLC Coupé

Polestar 1

Rolls-Royce Wraith

Toyota GR Supra

Toyota GR86

Volkswagen Arteon

Introduction

Performance & drive

Interior

Passenger & boot space

Costs & verdict

The Hyundai i30 Fastback is quite a lot cheaper than premium five-door&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-coupes-2022/n17019">coupés</a> such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/2-series-gran-coupe/saloon/review/n21024">BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé</a> and the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/cla/coupe/review/n19245">Mercedes CLA</a>. The news isn’t quite so good when you look at <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/the-best-cars-for-depreciation-and-the-worst/n23009">depreciation</a> though – both those rivals will retain considerably more of their value over three years.

Despite the i30 Fastback's mild-hybrid engine technology (which can improve efficiency and performance), the official figures suggest that it’ll manage 44.8mpg, which is disappointing when you consider that the 2 Series Gran Coupé should return almost 50mpg. The Fastback’s CO2 emissions are higher too, although it won’t break the bank if you’re a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tag/company-car">company car</a> driver aiming to keep your benefit-in-kind payments low.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In terms of reliability, the standard <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i30/hatchback/review/n36">Hyundai&nbsp;i30</a> finished near the top of the family car category in our 2021 <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2021-what-car-reliability-survey/n23397">What Car? Reliability Survey</a>. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/hyundai">Hyundai</a> as a brand also did very well, claiming joint third place (with Suzuki) out of the 30 manufacturers included.

Better still, the Fastback comes with a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty that few rivals can match. The ownership package includes five years of free annual check-ups&nbsp;and five years of breakdown cover.&nbsp;

Safety-wise, every i30 Fastback comes with hill-start assistance, automatic emergency braking <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-aeb-and-how-does-it-work/n3283">(AEB)</a>, lane-departure assistance, blind-spot monitoring and a cross-traffic alert system. It has yet to be tested by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/the-safest-cars-on-sale-today/n19724">Euro NCAP</a>&nbsp;but the regular&nbsp;i30&nbsp;achieved a full five-star safety rating.

You get a standard alarm and immobiliser, but Thatcham Research has yet to publish security test results for the model.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a>

&nbsp;

The only engine choice for the Hyundai i30 Fastback is the 1.5 G-TDi petrol engine with a 48V mild-hybrid system. Complementing the&nbsp;sporty N Line trim level, the engine produces&nbsp;157bhp and feels sufficiently potent from low revs, making overtaking and getting up to motorway speeds a doddle.&nbsp;

In fact, that power allows the i30 Fastback to sprint from 0-62mph in 8.6sec, which is faster than the 9.2sec it’ll take the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/2-series-gran-coupe/saloon/review/n21024">BMW 218i Sport Gran Coupé</a>. Surprisingly, despite being heavier than&nbsp;the regular <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i30/hatchback/review/n36">Hyundai i30</a> with the same engine, it manages to maintain the same performance figures.

When it comes to gearboxes, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/hyundai">Hyundai</a> gives you a choice of a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. If you’re after something a bit sportier (it is called the Fastback, after all), we’d recommend going for the manual. While the clutch can be a bit tricky to get used to, it has a short throw and makes you feel more connected to the car.

The automatic gearbox doesn’t come with paddles to change gears, so you don’t feel as involved as with the manual. It pulls off quickly from junctions but isn’t the smoothest as it flicks through the gears.&nbsp;

So what’s the i30 Fastback like when you hit a winding country road? Well, it sits 5mm lower than the standard i30&nbsp;and features suspension that’s been stiffened to tighten up what was previously quite a soft package. The firmer set-up helps to limit body lean and increase grip, making it quite a fun car when you go for a spirited drive.&nbsp;

To top it off, the well-weighted steering gives you a good idea of what the front wheels are up to. You can switch driving&nbsp;modes to change&nbsp;the extent of that weight – we’d avoid the sportiest option, as many will find that it adds a bit too much heft.

Of course, the downside to all of the performance-based changes is that they compromise how the car feels when you’re just cruising around. The Fastback isn't uncomfortable, but the stiffened suspension means that the ride is quite firm, and you feel bumps and divots on uneven roads.&nbsp;

It’s also not the quietest <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-coupes-2022/n17019">coupé</a>&nbsp;while you’re at the wheel. You won’t hear the engine unless you floor the accelerator, but you will be aware of the constant road noise when you get up to motorway speeds. The softer and quieter <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/cla/coupe/review/n19245">Mercedes CLA</a> is far more comfortable and relaxing on a long journey.

Fuel 

Gearbox

0-62 MPH

It has 118bhp, which is enough performance for day-to-day driving but it's not going to set your world on fire. 0-62mph takes 11.2sec, which is slower than the equivalent Ford Focus 1.0 Ecoboost Hybrid 125, and the Seat Leon, Skoda Octavia and Volkswagen Golf 1.0 TSI engines. Mild hybrid tech helps efficiency but it's not class leading.


http://example.com

1.0T GDi

10t-gdi

1.5T GDi

15t-gdi

OUR PICK

The Hyundai i30N is a well-equipped, great-value hot hatch that will really put a smile on your face. There are quicker alternatives, the best being the Toyota GR Yaris, but the i30N still makes loads of sense, particularly if you need five-door practicality. The Fastback version, meanwhile, offers a bit of extra load space and sleeker looks for a little extra cash.

2.0T GDi

20t-gdi-n

It may be hard to imagine, but the Hyundai i30 Fastback owes its very existence to cars from premium brands with far higher price tags.

The i30 Fastback aims to give you the same sleek looks as costlier models that blend coupé styling with saloon levels of practicality, but for much less money.

It was a trend kicked off by the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/cls/coupe/review/n146">Mercedes CLS</a>&nbsp;and – from the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/stinger/saloon/review/n177">Kia Stinger</a> to the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/arteon/hatchback/review/n176">Volkswagen Arteon</a>&nbsp;–&nbsp;seemingly every manufacturer now has a model that caters to this niche yet widely popular class.

When you look at possible&nbsp;rivals, the i30 Fastback manages to undercut the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/2-series-gran-coupe/saloon/review/n21024">BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé</a> and the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/cla/coupe/review/n19245">Mercedes CLA</a>&nbsp;by quite some margin. It doesn't&nbsp;skimp&nbsp;on equipment or fun, though – <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/hyundai">Hyundai</a> only sells it in the i30 range's&nbsp;top trim, N Line.&nbsp;

So&nbsp;how is it actually different to the regular <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i30/hatchback/review/n36">Hyundai&nbsp;i30</a> – which also has five doors and a hatchback boot? Well, the Fastback has has a&nbsp;redesigned nose and&nbsp;the roofline has been lowered by a couple of centimetres or so, and taper&nbsp;into a ducktail at the rear.&nbsp;

As with many <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-coupes-2022/n17019">coupés</a> the question remains: do the looks justify the higher price tag and any reduction in practicality they bring? That’s what we’ll tell you over the next few pages of this Hyundai i30 Fastback review, as we put it through its paces in key areas including&nbsp;performance, practicality and comfort.&nbsp;

Once you've had&nbsp;a read and decided whether the i30 Fastback or another make and model is for you, you can find the lowest prices by searching our free <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">What Car? New Car Buying pages</a>. They have plenty of the best <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/category/coupe">new coupé deals</a>.

You sit quite low down in the Hyundai i30 Fastback, adding to the sportier feel than the regular <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i30/hatchback/review/n36">Hyundai i30</a>.&nbsp;Don’t expect to feel like you’re climbing into a sports car, but it's lower than, for example, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/cla/coupe/review/n19245">Mercedes CLA</a>. The pedals are well placed, and the driver’s seat is comfortable and supportive, with electric lumbar adjustment as standard.

It’s safe to say that <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/hyundai">Hyundai</a> isn’t known for its visually exciting interiors, and the i30 Fastback does little to change its reputation here. Even so, most of the areas you’ll touch regularly feel pleasant enough to your fingertips and the only notable area of scratchy plastics is around the handbrake.&nbsp;

In terms of fit and finish, the i30 Fastback is impressive, with contrasting seat stitching, metal pedals and a sports steering wheel that’s similar to the one you get in an even sportier version, called the i30 Fastback N.

Infotainment wise, the Fastback gets a 10.25in touchscreen system which comes with built-in sat-nav, DAB radio, Bluetooth,&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193">Apple CarPlay</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-android-auto/n1194">Android Auto</a> smartphone mirroring as standard.

It's not the most graphically sharp system out there, but it is easy to navigate and quick to respond. There are&nbsp;shortcut buttons around the screen that make it easier to switch between the sat-nav, radio and some other functions&nbsp;as you drive.

What is disappointing, though, is the lack of rearwards visibility. The tapering roofline means that all we could see in the rear-view mirror was the dark headliner. That's the inevitable consequence of the styling, and&nbsp;is eased by the standard-fit&nbsp;reversing camera, and front and rear parking sensors.

Hatchback

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

Despite average dynamics and sedate performance, the i30 Fastback impresses with its range of standard equipment and top build quality

Despite the Hyundai i30 Fastback’s sloping roofline, the low driving position mean&nbsp;that there’s an impressive amount of head room in the front, and two six-footers will fit easily. Leg room is generous and the interior is wide enough that no one will feel cramped.&nbsp;

There’s also a good amount of storage for all of your gubbins, with doorbins that can easily hold a water bottle, an opening at the bottom of the centre console for your phone and a deep storage area in the central armrest.&nbsp;

Rear passenger space is not usually great in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-coupes-2022/n17019">coupés</a>&nbsp;(even five-door hatchback ones), but&nbsp;the i30 Fastback does okay here. Rear head room is less generous than in the regular <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i30/hatchback/review/n36">Hyundai i30</a>&nbsp;and six-footers will find their heads grazing the roof lining, but it’s not too bad overall.&nbsp;

The rear seatbacks split 60/40 to fold down, but don't slide or&nbsp;fold upwards to provide more space. You do get a ski hatch when you fold down the centre armrest, allowing you to easily carry long items.

The boot has a capacity of 450 litres – 55 litres more than in the standard i30 and 20 litres more the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/2-series-gran-coupe/saloon/review/n21024">BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé</a> offers. In real world terms, that should be enough for most situations, and it can swallow&nbsp;a couple of buggies or a large weekly shop with ease.

We'd stick with SE Connect trim and try to maximise your value for money. It 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. You also get an 8.0in infotainment system, a DAB radio, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto, a rear-view camera and front and rear parking sensors. 

SE Connect

se-connect

Premium trim adds extra luxuries such as keyless entry, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a 10.3in infotainment system, sat-nav, privacy glass and climate control. 

Premium

premium

N Line is the sporty option, mirroring the more aggressive looks of the full-fat i30N hot hatchback, plus it has a few more features like a 10.3in infotainment system, sat-nav, privacy glass and climate control. 

N Line

n-line

Every i30N comes very well equipped with 19in alloy wheels, LED headlights, automatic lights and wipers, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera, electric front seats with driver’s seat height adjustment and memory recall. You also get plenty of standard driver aids. These include automatic emergency braking, a driver fatigue monitor, automatic speed limit recognition and lane departure warning.


N Performance

n-performance

Drive N

drive-n

The Hyundai i30 Fastback is sharper to driver than the regular i30 in lesser trims, and is almost as practical. Perhaps its sharp looks will be enough to attract buyers, but we’d rather have a Volkswagen Golf or Skoda Octavia.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Strong performance</li> <li>Good balance between ride and handling</li> <li>Excellent build quality</li> <li>Decent practicality</li> <li>Sophisticated interior</li></ul>

Coupés are all about style, but while practicality undoubtedly takes a back seat to aesthetics, these cars still need to be easy to live with on a daily basis. It’s this that distinguishes a coupé from an out-and-out sports car.

Fortunately, there’s a wide range of style-focused models available, and you don’t even need to spend silly money to buy or run one.

For a blend of rock-solid resale values, punchy engines and an interior to die for, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/tt/coupe/review/n12">Audi TT</a> is a brilliant option. But the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/4-series/hatchback/review/n17260">BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/cla/coupe/review/n19245">Mercedes CLA</a> both offer plenty of style and substance to match, while the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/aston-martin/dbs/coupe/review/n18289">Aston Martin DBS Superleggera</a> will give you serious performance.

Coupe

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of practical space </li> <li>Low running costs </li> <li>A comfortable ride </li> <li>A healthy equipment list </li> <li>Quality materials and thoughtful touches inside </li> <li>Rock-solid reliability</li></ul>

Family cars arguably have the toughest brief of all: they have to be good at pretty much everything. They’re used as the daily drive, on the school run or work commute (often both), and have to be able to cope with a family’s clutter on weekends and holidays.

The Skoda Scala is a relative newcomer, but it's&nbsp;already carved out a name for itself in this segment.&nbsp;If you're looking for a moderately priced car that combines a supple ride, neat handling, a spacious interior and a capacious boot&nbsp;it's well worth a look.&nbsp;Alternatively, if you're looking for entertaining handling then the&nbsp;BMW 1 Series may well be for you. It's great to drive, rides well&nbsp;and also comes with a top-notch interior, featuring one of our very favourite infotainment systems.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Toyota Corolla&nbsp;is another great choice. This latest version of one of the world's best-selling cars of all time can be had with a choice of two different petrol-electric hybrid engines, both of which should mean&nbsp;potentially lower fuel bills. It's comfortable, well equipped and should be very reliable, too.&nbsp;

Family

Hyundai i30 Fastback review

Why the overall winner won

Best small SUV

Best family car

Best small electric car

Best luxury car

Car of the Year Awards 2023 >>

site ribbon config

You sit quite low down in the Hyundai i30 Fastback, adding to the sportier feel than the regular Hyundai i30. Don’t expect to feel like you’re climbing into a sports car, but it's lower than, for example, the Mercedes CLA. The pedals are well placed, and the driver’s seat is comfortable and supportive, with electric lumbar adjustment as standard.,It’s safe to say that Hyundai isn’t known for its visually exciting interiors, and the i30 Fastback does little to change its reputation here. Even so, most of the areas you’ll touch regularly feel pleasant enough to your fingertips and the only notable area of scratchy plastics is around the handbrake. ,In terms of fit and finish, the i30 Fastback is impressive, with contrasting seat stitching, metal pedals and a sports steering wheel that’s similar to the one you get in an even sportier version, called the i30 Fastback N.Infotainment wise, the Fastback gets a 10.25in touchscreen system which comes with built-in sat-nav, DAB radio, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring as standard.,It's not the most graphically sharp system out there, but it is easy to navigate and quick to respond. There are shortcut buttons around the screen that make it easier to switch between the sat-nav, radio and some other functions as you drive.,What is disappointing, though, is the lack of rearwards visibility. The tapering roofline means that all we could see in the rear-view mirror was the dark headliner. That's the inevitable consequence of the styling, and is eased by the standard-fit reversing camera, and front and rear parking sensors.

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

Car of the Year Awards 2023 >>

Hyundai i30 Fastback review

BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe

Audi TT

Interior

The interior layout, fit and finish

What Car? has a buying service

Quick search

Tools & services

Legal bits

Information