Review - 2024 Hyundai i30 Sedan Hybrid

The i30 Sedan has already proven itself as one of the most well-rounded and impressive small cars on the market, though fans have been screaming for a hybrid variant - and Hyundai has responded.

With sales figures showing that Australia is falling out of love with the sedan, Hyundai is hoping its new engine tech at the core of the i30 Sedan Hybrid will help to rekindle our love affair - let’s take a closer look to see if it stands a chance.

Hyundai i30 Sedan Hybrid Competition

How Much Does It Cost?

Hyundai’s entry-level i30 Sedan is priced at $29,000, while the review car you’re looking, the i30 Sedan 1.6 Hybrid, will set you back $33,000 before on-road costs.

Hyundai says that more premium versions of the i30 Sedan Hybrid are on the way, with prices yet to be finalised for the upcoming i30 Sedan Elite and Premium variants.

Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change and do not include on-road costs.

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Hyundai i30 (BEV) Specifications

What Features & Specs Does the 2024 Hyundai i30 Sedan Hybrid Have?

While it remains a base model, Hyundai’s i30 Sedan Hybrid comes packing a very healthy equipment list for the money.

Standard equipment includes a set of 16-inch alloys, automatic LED headlights with LED daytime running lamps, adaptive cruise control, cloth upholstery with a leather-wrapped steering wheel & gear lever and a rear-view camera with front & rear parking sensors.

The entry-level Hyundai i30 Hybrid also picks up a wireless charging pad, automatic wipers, dual-zone climate control, front & rear USB-C ports, a 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster, rear air vents, a centre folding armrest in the rear of the cabin and an electric parking brake.

Hyundai i30 Sedan Hybrid Infotainment Features

Hyundai’s most affordable members of the i30 Sedan range, including the base Hybrid, come packaged with an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display sitting atop the dashboard.

It’s a bright and fairly responsive display that retains physical buttons for the volume and menu inputs and is paired with a six-speaker sound system.

While it’s not the largest display, considering this is a base model, it ticks all the boxes you could hope for at this end of the price spectrum and offers a high-definition rear-view camera feed.

Does the i30 Sedan Hybrid Have Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

Opting for the entry-level i30 Sedan Hybrid means you’ll pick up wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto connectivity.

Interestingly, more premium versions of the i30 Sedan with the larger 10.25-inch infotainment system require a cabled connection to access Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, meaning the base model is the go-to option for wireless connectivity.

Is the i30 Sedan Hybrid Comfortable to Drive?

Hyundai’s recipe for the i30 Sedan Hybrid is remarkably simple: take the existing package, transplant a hybrid unit under the bonnet and give it a suspension upgrade at the rear.

Under the bonnet, there’s a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine that works alongside an electric motor fed by a small battery pack, with power sent to the front wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Turn the key and switch into drive and the i30 Sedan Hybrid typically glides off the mark silently thanks to its electrical assistance, making for faster acceleration when making a quick turn or pulling off a set of traffic lights.

This means that at lower speeds around town, you’ll often be cruising along on electric power, while the petrol unit kicks into action when extra power is needed to pick up speed, or simply to charge up the battery pack.

The handover between the two powertrains is smooth, often taking place without you noticing if the windows are up and you’re playing music.

Combine that silky acceleration off the mark with Hyundai’s lightweight steering and responsive handling and the i30 Sedan Hybrid proves itself as a great daily driver around town.

One thing you will notice is the elevated rear shelf that, combined with the bulky C-pillars, eats up into rearward visibility that somewhat detracts from its user-friendliness around town… but it’s a minor gripe.

Over the standard i30 Sedan, the hybrid picks up a trick multi-link suspension package that works a treat once you’ve left smooth city streets.

Combined with the smaller 16-inch alloys wrapped in more accommodating rubber, the i30 Sedan Hybrid is super capable on rough, country roads, remaining unphased by potholes and uneven surfaces.

The suspension upgrade also makes the i30 Sedan Hybrid a great long-distance tourer thanks to its solid footing on the road and particularly well-insulated cabin.

All up, the added electrical assistance from Hyundai’s smooth hybrid power unit makes the already impressive i30 Sedan arguably the most versatile member of the small car segment on the road.

Is it Fuel Efficient?

Buyers looking closely at the i30 Sedan Hybrid will have fuel economy figures top of mind, and in this respect, it doesn’t disappoint.

Official fuel consumption figures for the i30 Sedan Hybrid sit at 3.9L per 100km, which is a considerable improvement over the 6.1L/100km you’ll consume in the regular i30 Sedan with a 2.0-litre petrol.

On a mix of 1,000-kilometres worth of town, country and highway driving, we averaged 4.2L per 100km with a slightly heavy foot and the drive mode left in ‘eco’ the entire time and have no doubt you could match Hyundai’s claims with a particularly light right foot.

How Much Fuel Does the i30 Sedan Hybrid Use Around Town?

Thanks to the support provided by the electric motor, particularly at low speeds, the i30 Sedan Hybrid is most economical while driving around town, with a claimed city fuel consumption figure of 2.8L/100km.

How Much Fuel Does the i30 Sedan Hybrid Use on the Highway?

Highway driving in the i30 Sedan Hybrid is less economical than around town, though you’ll still consume a claimed 4.0L/100km.

Is it Practical and Spacious?

While big changes have been made to the i30 Sedan Hybrid’s skeleton, the interior remains unchanged from the regular model.

That’s a great thing, too, considering the i30 Sedan is a heavyweight when it comes to space and practicality for the small car segment.

One thing you’ll notice stepping inside is that the driving position is quite low-slung, though the adjustable seat and steering wheel position can fit a range of driver sizes and decent headroom for tall drivers.

The front of the cabin features a sizable centre console with a unique grab handle on the passenger side that makes it feel a bit more premium in nature without getting in the way too much.

Sure there’s some plastic elements that might not scream quality, though at this price point, we think it’s a fair trade for the fuel-efficient tech under the bonnet.

There’s storage options aplenty in the i30 Sedan cabin, with a storage tray and wireless charging pad sitting in a tray behind the gear lever, added storage inside the folding armrest and adjustable cupholders that can fit a large cappuccino or a pint-sized piccolo.

You’ll also pick up a USB-C charger and some large bottle holders sitting inside the doors.

Move to the second row and the i30 Sedan asserts itself as one of the most spacious cars in the segment.

There’s great legroom for adults in the rear, meaning you won’t hear any complaints from kids, while headroom is decent even with the sloping roofline design.

For the parents out there, the i30 Sedan Hybrid retains the same child seat arrangement that features a pair of ISOFIX anchors and three top tether mounts, with easy access to install bulky seats.

All up, the i30 Sedan Hybrid ticks all the important practicality boxes that buyers could hope for in the small car segment, reminding buyers that the humble sedan can be particularly family-friendly.

How Big is the Hyundai i30 Sedan Hybrid’s Boot?

Flip open the rear and the i30 Sedan Hybrid offers a healthy 474L of boot space, which is the same you’ll find in the regular model.

The catch, though, is that there’s a space-saver spare tyre sitting underneath the boot floor rather than a full-sized wheel.

One less convenient aspect of accessing the boot is that there’s no physical button at the rear, with owners required to either press a button on the key fob or with a latch on the driver’s side floor.

Is it Safe?

Another area that the i30 Sedan Hybrid does not disappoint is the lengthy list of safety equipment that Hyundai is happy to package in with the base model.

As standard, you’ll find an autonomous emergency braking system with vehicle, cyclist, motorcyclist and pedestrian detection, as well as adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist and a rear-view camera with front & rear parking sensors.

There’s also tyre pressure monitoring, driver attention monitoring with lead vehicle departure alerts and six airbags.

Opting for the base i30 Sedan Hybrid does mean that you miss out on blind-spot monitoring, safe exit warnings and Hyundai’s Bluelink connected services suite, though for this price point, it’s difficult to complain.

Does the Hyundai i30 Sedan Hybrid Have an ANCAP Safety Rating?

Unfortunately, the Hyundai i30 Sedan is yet to be tested by ANCAP or its European NCAP equivalent, meaning it does not wear a current ANCAP safety rating.

What Warranty Does the Hyundai i30 Sedan Hybrid Come With?

Hyundai offers the i30 Sedan Hybrid with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre factory warranty.

There’s also an eight-year/160,000-kilometre warranty for the battery and high-voltage components.

Service intervals stand at a very reasonable 12 months or 15,000-kilometres, whichever elapses first, with the first five serviced capped at $310, $410, $410, $710 and $310, respectively.

Our Verdict: Is the Hyundai i30 Sedan Hybrid Worth it?

With the i30 Sedan Hybrid, Hyundai has managed to make an already impressive package as close to perfect as you can get for a smidge over $30k.

Thanks to the exceptional fuel economy on offer, practicality smooth driving nature around town and impressive comfort levels on country roads, the i30 Sedan Hybrid is near faultless.

While you can certainly pick out small flaws in its armour, it’s difficult to fault without getting extremely picky - and at this price point, most complaints are negated by the sheer value proposition that Hyundai has managed to bundle together.

If you’re looking for a small, family-friendly car that packs an impressive amount of interior space, equipment levels and driving comfort, the Hyundai i30 Sedan Hybrid is an absolute gem.

Five Hyundai i30 Sedan Hybrid Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty

2. Eight-year battery warranty

3. 3.9L/100km combined cycle fuel economy

4. 474L boot space

5. 12-month/15,000km service intervals