New i30 three-door benefits from myriad cosmetic tweaks
Profile is more rakish than the normal five-door hatchback thanks to upswept beltline
Three-door i30 is definitely more stylish and interesting than the five-door version
Interior is refined, spacious, well-built and comfortable
The driving position is good and the i30's cabin is refined and comfortable
Deletion of the rear doors doesn't compromise rear space, just access
i30 is a worthy rival to the more common three-door hatchback choices
This new three-door is the third and last body style we’re likely to see in Hyundai’s second-generation Hyundai i30 range.
Besides the deletion of the rear doors, the three-door gets a more rakish profile than the five-door (thanks to its upswept beltline) and cosmetic tweaks that include revised bumpers, foglamps and grille.
Hyundai’s efforts haven’t been wasted; the additional flair makes it more interesting than the five-door.
Powering the Hyundai i30 is a refined and flexible 126bhp 1.6-litre diesel. It delivers gutsy performance, provided you don’t labour it, and the six-speed manual gearbox is slick and precise.
The diesel is capable of returning sensible economy, too. Our test car averaged 55mpg; although some way off the claimed 68.9mpg, it’s more than sufficient. Couple our result with the i30’s 55-litre tank and the Hyundai should cover over 600 miles between fills with ease.
The ride is cosseting and there’s plenty of grip and poise in corners. The only grumble is that the steering, while accurate, is devoid of feel; as a result, the i30 is less engaging than the likes of the Ford Focus.
Inside, you’ll find a wide range of kit, including a parking camera and touchscreen sat-nav. The driving position is good and the seats are comfortable, but some of the controls could be better laid out.
Practicality isn’t overtly compromised, with room for adults in the back and a large boot
Overall, the three-door Hyundai Hyundai i30 is a stylish choice that should prove easy to live with and cheap to run.
It’s an effort worthy of consideration alongside the more commonly chosen mainstream rivals, including the Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra.
Those who need to carry passengers regularly, however, may find the five-door version a more sensible choice thanks to its easily accessed rear seats.
Lewis Kingston
Hyundai i30 3d Sport Nav 1.6 CRDi 128PS
Price £19,990; 0-62mph 10.9sec; Top speed 122mph; Economy 68.9mpg; CO2 108g/km; Kerb weight 1421kg; Engine 4cyls, 1582cc, turbodiesel; Power 126bhp at 4000rpm; Torque 192lb ft at 1900-2750rpm; Gearbox 6-spd manual
Join the debate
Add your comment
Which Model?
It would have been useful for the reviewer to specify which model in the range they were pricing up, and mention there is a lower powered 110 bhp 1.6 diesel also on offer that is more comparable with rivals - an i30 1.6 CRDi Blue Drive Active 3dr 110 horsepower version starts at £17490, whereas the comparable Audi A3 1.6 TDI SE 3 door starts at £20155.
You can only compare by like-4-like
From Hyundai's website, a 5dr Style Nav manual diesel lists at £20240 so that £19900 for the 3dr sounds about right.
Regarding the A3, they no longer sell a 3dr. The far more basic SE 5dr in an equivelent 1.6tdi form is £20,720 however throw in factory Sat Nav + a few more bits'n bobs and you won't see any change from £23000.
The Golf? A 3dr 1.6tdi Se tech is £20,600 (inc nav) but excluding other options eg. specifying a 5yr warranty adds £490.
Saying those German rivals are cheaper to buy is misleading. However if you can afford the extra to purchase either of those German rivals then the overall cost of ownership may well work out less. (more so if you don't add worthless options to your order).
Of course that holds true if you pay cash, if you lease or chose manufacturer finance incentives, it's very hard to see a case for the Hyundai especially in diesel form at those prices. The heavily discounted Focus probably makes more financial sense.
Stylish, but....
...only when Hyundai fit it with 16" or 17" wheels. Every new 5 door i30 I have seen on the road has had rediculously small 15" alloys, completely ruining the look of what is otherwise a good-looking car. I just don't get it!