Hyundai i30 Active 2017 Long-term Review - 2

Perhaps the most apt description of the i30 is: ‘surprisingly impressive’. At least, this is the phrase my friends most often relayed in relation to Hyundai’s handy hatch, which is steadily becoming one of the best-selling cars in Australia.

The entry-level i30 Active variant is surprisingly kitted out with satellite navigation, automatic headlights, a reversing camera, eight-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility and cruise control.

In fact, the only real gap in its buffet of features comes in the form of safety technology like Autonomous Emergency Braking and blind-spot detection, which can be found in the next variant step up, the Elite.

Keyless entry, push-button start and auto wipers are also noticeably absent, but not sorely missed. Nevertheless the standard features are solid, particularly the reversing camera with rear parking sensors – which make parking the petite i30 a breeze – plus auto headlights which are quick to react to dark tunnels and shadowy car parks.

I was also impressed with the satellite navigation, which helpfully had a fairly up-to-date list of restaurants, landmarks, stores and other businesses for you to scroll through, in order to save time laboriously entering every single letter. It was also quick to update your location and flag upcoming directions.

Aesthetically, the i30 doesn’t look too shabby either – the third-generation model has a simple design which is both elegant and practical. From the front, it looks a lot like a streamlined sedan while, from the rear, it resembles a handful of segment rivals – the Mazda2 and Volkswagen Golf, for example.

In fact, my only really qualm when it comes to the i30’s appearance, both inside and out, is that it lacks ‘X-factor’. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but does perhaps inject added complication if you’re trying to locate it in a packed car park.

The sound system isn’t fabulous either - audio quality is alright, but the Bluetooth connection annoyingly disconnects whenever you stop the car, often leaving you to re-pair the phone or fiddle with the media settings when you get back in.

Out on the open road, I loved driving the i30. The steering was particularly responsive, it handled corners beautifully and the transmission was positively zippy. It also had a bit of grunt when going up steep hills in the Dandenong Ranges outside Melbourne, which impressed me as a driver of another small hatch which sometimes struggles on the same roads.

On the issue of space, the i30 surprised me with how much it fits into its small package. There are plenty of helpful storage spots and leg and headroom in the front seat is generous.

Cut to the rear seat and legroom is certainly limited, but far from intolerable. Unexpectedly, my 183cm friends reported headroom in the back was also “great”, although they took issue with the complete lack of air vents.

Up front, climate control is passable, but on a hot day people in the rear get very little respite without the windows down, which pretty much rules the i30 out as a family car, although no real surprises there.

It’s a shame though, because the i30 is super safe – a five star ANCAP rating – and family friendly in other regards. The boot, for example, is sizeable and comes with a full size spare wheel, plus the rear seats fold down.

The advertised fuel consumption is 7.4L/100km; my week with the i30 averaged 8L/100km for a mix of freeway driving and suburban traffic – not bad at all.

I waited until the end of my week to check the price the i30’s price; afraid it could influence my enjoyment of the car. I was quite surprised to find it was over the $20,000 mark. For example, Volkswagen offers an alternative to the i30 for around $2000 more which does offer some extra ‘X-factor’.

Having said that, upon reflection I realised the amount of tech the entry-level Hyundai i30 Active comes packed with does suggest you’ll be getting your money’s worth. Just don’t expect to be able to distinguish your car in a dark multi-level car park.

More reading:
>> Hyundai i30 2017 long term update #1

Long-Term Tests
Motoring.com.au aims to make your vehicle buying decisions easier. Our Editorial section does this via our mix of news, international and local new model launch reviews, as well as our seven-day tests.

From time to time, we also take the opportunity to spend even longer with a vehicle.

These longer-term tests can be as short as a couple of weeks, but more recently we’ve settled on a three-month period as indicative of ‘normal’ ownership.

Long-term tests give our staff writers and contributors a chance to get to know a car as an owner would. While the car is with us, we pay for fuel, the servicing, and generally use and live with the car as a new owner would.

We believe long-term tests give car buyers a deeper insight into the vehicle on test, but also the qualities behind the brand and nameplate. The extended period also allows us to touch base with the dealer networks in question.

It comes as no surprise that manufacturers tend to have a love-hate relationship with long-term tests. Three months is long enough to fall out of love with the latest and greatest, and start to nit-pick – just like real owners do.

2017 Hyundai i30 Active pricing and specifications:
Price: from $20,950 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 120kW/203Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual clutch automatic
Fuel: 7.4L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 173g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP