Review - 2022 Hyundai i30 Sedan

With the market share of the sedan body shape dropping sharply against its SUV rivals, so too has the number of options available for Australian buyers, which is where the i30 Sedan steps into the equation. 

Just how good is the i30 Sedan as a comfortable and family-friendly commuter, though, and can it even compete with an SUV equivalent when put under the test? Let’s find out by taking a close look at the Hyundai i30 Sedan. 

Starting Price: $27,190

OnlineAuto Savings: Enquire now

Hyundai i30 (ACTIVE) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check Hyundai i30 car page.

How Much Does It Cost?

The Hyundai i30 Sedan lineup kicks off from $25,690 for the entry-level i30 Active Manual, while the Active Automatic is priced at $27,690. Stepping up to the i30 Elite brings the price to $31,690, while the N Line Manual is also priced at $31,690. 

Opting for the i30 N Line Automatic brings the price to $33,690, while the range-topping N Line Premium Automatic is priced at $38,690.  

How Much Can OnlineAuto Save You? 

Using OnlineAuto’s car buying service, you could save by sourcing one of our car specialists to help you find the best value model for you. 

What Features Does the i30 Sedan Have?

The Hyundai i30 Active comes riding on 17-inch alloys, and receives adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera with rear-mounted parking sensors, leather upholstery, wireless smartphone charging, an electronic parking brake and an 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto.

Stepping up to the i30 N Line adds a set of automatic LED headlights and LED tail lights, keyless entry & start, dual-zone climate control, blind-spot monitoring and a folding set of mirrors. 

The i30 Elite receives a powered boot lift, ambient lighting package, upgraded eight-speaker BOSE sound system as well as a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display and a 10.25-inch infotainment system with satellite navigation.  

Topping the range, the i30 Sedan N Line Premium comes packing a set of heated and ventilated seats, a panoramic sunroof, front-mounted parking sensors and 10-way adjustable front seats. 

Range Features: 

• 17-inch alloys 
• Adaptive cruise control 
• Leather upholstery 
• Reversing camera with rear parking sensors 
• Wireless smartphone charging 
• 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto 
• LED head & tail lights (i30 N Line)
• Keyless entry & start (i30 N Line)
• Dual-zone climate control (i30 N Line) 
• Powered boot lift (i30 Elite) 
• Ambient interior lighting (i30 Elite)
• 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster (i30 Elite)
• 10.25-inch infotainment system (i30 Elite)
• 10-way adjustable heated & ventilated seats (N Line Premium)
• Panoramic sunroof (N Line Premium)
• Front parking sensors (N Line Premium)

Hyundai i30 Sedan Colours 

The Hyundai i30 Sedan range is available in the following colours: Polar White, Fluid Metal, Fiery Red, Lava Orange, Amazon Grey, Intense Blue and Phantom Black. 

Is it Comfortable to Drive? 

The i30 Sedan is a refreshing reminder that the majority of Australians’ needs can be met comfortably and confidently by the sedan platform. 

Power for the i30 Sedan range comes courtesy of a 2.0-litre four-cylinder producing 117kW of power and 191Nm of torque in the Active & Elite, while the N Line receives a turbocharger that increases outputs to 150kW/265Nm. 

The driving experience of the entry-level model is modest and perfectly suited to everyday driving, while the turbocharged variants gain a heap of personality and are extremely fun to push. 

Both engines receive the choice of a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch that offers smooth shifts around town, but can - like other DCTs - lurch sometimes at slow speeds.  

Thanks to the fact that Hyundai tunes its vehicles specifically for roads here in Australia, the platform feels stable and the suspension helps to make driving on rougher B-roads an impressively comfortable affair. 

It’s also extremely user-friendly around town thanks to its lightweight steering rack that makes the i30 Sedan feel impressively smooth. 

Around town, it becomes far more sophisticated on the road than you might expect from a vehicle at this price point, making for a versatile offering for a huge number of buyers that might otherwise walk past the platform in favour of an SUV. 

Is it Practical and Spacious? 

On a similar note, the i30 Sedan is also a strong performer when it comes to space, practicality and family-friendly features that very-much rivals what’s on offer in a midsize SUV. 

Up front, the driver and front passenger receive a set of low-slung seats that offer a heap of headroom and are treated to a sleek and modern dashboard and large centre tunnel for the spacious front cabin. 

Practical elements up front include storage behind the gear lever with a wireless charging pad, a pair of cupholders, storage inside the folding armrest, inside the door bins either side of the cabin and a clever storage area for the front passenger below the centre tunnel’s handrail. 

Move to the second row and you’ll find a bench seat with a pair of in-built ISOFIX anchors and top tether mounts as a welcoming family-friendly touch. 

Leg and headroom in the rear of the i30 Sedan is limited to how tall the driver is, with enough room to accommodate an adult in the rear behind most drivers, although headroom can be limited by the sloping roofline design. 

Finally, the i30 Sedan offers boot space measuring in at 474L which can fit an impressive amount of cargo in the rear, adding to its versatile and family-friendly nature. 

Is it Safe? 

The Hyundai i30 Sedan is yet to receive an official ANCAP safety rating, while its hatchback sibling has received a five-star safety rating. 

As standard, the i30 range comes fitted with autonomous emergency braking with cyclist and pedestrian detection, lane-keep assistance, junction-turning assistance, driver attention monitoring and rear occupant alerts. 

Blind-spot monitoring and rear-cross traffic alerts, however, are reserved for models sitting above the entry-level Active, as well as rear parking collision avoidance.  

Is it Fuel Efficient?

Fuel efficiency for the i30 Sedan depends on which engine you’re opting for, with the standard 2.0-litre four-cylinder returning fuel economy figures of 7.0L/100km, while the turbocharged variant is rated at 6.8L/100km in the automatic. 

Our Verdict: Is the Hyundai i30 Sedan Worth it?

While the majority of manufacturers have seemingly given up on the sedan body shape in favour of compact hatchbacks and larger SUVs, cars like the i30 Sedan are a refreshing reminder of just how comfortable, versatile and family-friendly the platform remains. 

It’s a stylish, surprisingly refined and capable all-rounder that offers a generous value for money proposition that is well-deserving of a spot on your shortlist. 

On that note, if you’re in the market for a new car, you can get a free quote and see how much OnlineAuto can save you on your next car, or call us on 1300 719 925.

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year, unlimited KM warranty 

2. Two four-cylinder engines are available

3. 474L boot space 

4. Five years of capped price servicing 

5. 12-month/15,000km service intervals drop to 10,000km for turbocharged variants 

Pros 

• Smooth engine and transmission combinations 

• Comfortable suspension for Australian roads 

• Generous equipment lists 

• Modern and practical interior design 

Cons

• Limited headroom in the second row for tall passengers 

• Entry-level variant misses out on blind-spot monitoring 

• No official ANCAP safety rating, yet

OnlineAuto Rating: 9/10

Hyundai i30 Sedan Competition