Review - 2020 Hyundai i30

 If you’re looking for an entry-level car that’s sporty without being outrageously priced, the i30 Active is a strong contender.

The i30 Active is the base model of the i30 range, but the standard package is still pretty impressive. The car comes with a 7-inch touch-screen interface with smartphone mirroring capability, reversing camera, a six-speaker stereo, Bluetooth connectivity and streaming capability as well as USB and auxiliary ports. Pairing a phone is easy and the answer and hang-up buttons are on the steering wheel. Plus there’s standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which isn’t common for cars at this price point.

Another value for money edge is the Hyundai five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty. Plus the 15,000km service intervals with a capped price of $219 per service and a generous roadside assistance package.

The i30 Active gives you a lot of bang for your entry level buck.

The interior of the car hold true to the rest of the well thought out package. The dash is slickly designed with pretty chrome accents to distract from the cheap plastic effect. The seats are made of nice, touchable cloth with enough space in both front and rear seats for even tall passengers to ride in comfort. There’s a pretty big boot, 378L with the rear seats up and a whopping 1316L when they’re folded down. Plus a standard full-size spare wheel and a 12V socket in the cargo area.

And now for how the i30 Active drives. The 1.8-litre engine feels quick and responsive and the throttle calibration gives the car a real growl when it’s being pushed to its limits. The intuitive 6-speed automatic gearbox zips smoothly through all the paces and when you want to come back down the breaking is reassuringly responsive. 

The i30 Active sits confidently on the road and takes corners with ease. The car come with three steering modes to choose from – Normal, Comfort and Sport. You can select between light and reactive (Comfort) to heavy and dull (Sport), so you can choose your pleasure. Add in the Australian-tuned chassis, bless those obsessive Hyundai engineers, which makes the car adept over bumps and the i30 Active is downright pleasure to drive. 

Along with the sharp handling and sporty drive, the i30 Active also comes with a five-star ANCAP safety rating. So you’ll feel perfectly safe cruising around with a seven airbag arsenal and traction and stability control.Really the only fly sitting on the i30 Active’s otherwise perfect package are the cheap tires and that’s a minor quibble. 

Our verdict

Value for money the i30 Active is hard to beat. Which probably why it’s regularly the best selling car of its sector. Popularity isn’t always a sign of quality, but in this case it’s true. The Hyundai i30 Active is popular because it’s good.

Five specs you need to know

1. Engine: 1.8-litre four-cylinder
2. Transmission: Six-speed auto
3. Drive type: Front-wheel drive
4. ANCAP: Five stars (scored 35.69 out of 37)
5. Official fuel economy: 7.3L/100km

Pros

• The Hyundai i30 price.
• Stylish, European design.
• Great standard equipment inclusion for base model.
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Typically excellent Hyundai servicing costs and roadside assistance.
• Full-size spare tyre.
• Great to drive.

Cons

• Interior a bit plasticky.
• Cheap tyres on Active model.