2017 Hyundai i30 Tourer Review: A Space Oddity

Introduction

SUV popularity might be denting estate car sales, but the more practical hatchbacks are still a strong choice for a family workhorse. The Hyundai i30 Tourer aims to deliver on space whilst offering decent value for money.

Hyundai is no longer just a budget brand and things like a 5 year, 100,000 mile warranty should give buyers peace of mind.

Did you know? Hyundai aims to be the number one Asian brand in Europe by 2021.

 

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Verdict: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ (7/10)

The Hyundai i30 Tourer faces strong competition from well-established rivals, but it puts up a good fight.

It isn’t the most entertaining car to drive in the class, nor the most fuel efficient, but pick your spec well and it’s good value. Just an extra £500 over the standard hatch gets you a car that is vastly more practical.

The Golf Estate is classier and the Peugeot 308 SW roomier still, but if you can bag the right deal, the i30 is well worth considering.

  

We Like

We Don't Like

 

Verdict | Design | Interior | Technology | Performance | Safety | Specs | Running Costs | Pricing 

Interior & Comfort: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ (7/10)

Its interior feels plenty spacious - something amplified by the large windows that let in lots of light. The stepped dashboard gives it some character whilst on SE Nav cars and above an 8-inch touchscreen display is the focal point.

The i30’s centre console is simple and clutter free, and a neat bank of air-conditioning controls nestle beneath one of the dashboard’s contours.

Sadly the interior is let down by the choice of materials and even on the top spec models there are plenty of hard plastics to be found throughout the cabin. That’s not to say that it isn’t well built (far from it) but more soft-touch elements would be welcome.

Luxuries such as a glass panoramic roof are nice to have, especially when you open it to enjoy a sunny day. And when the weather takes a turn Premium and Premium SE models are equipped with heated seats.

Practicality

This is what estate cars are all about, and the Hyundai i30 Tourer doesn't disappoint.

Open the hatch and you reveal a flat floor that makes loading heavy items easy, and the opening itself is nice and wide, meaning that it will happily swallow awkwardly shaped cargo such as bikes.

602-litres of space actually makes the i30’s boot larger than that of the Ford Focus Estate - by some margin - but smaller than 660-litres of the class-leading Peugeot 308 SW. The Hyundai is above average in this department and not far behind the Skoda Octavia Estate’s 610-litres. Folding the 60:40 split rear seats flat boosts space to 1,650-litres.

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Technology & Connectivity: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ (7/10)

The most basic i30 Tourer doesn’t get a touchscreen display, but it doesn't leave you total multimedia-free, either, since all cars get DAB radio, Bluetooth, and USB charging ports. Step-up to SE grade and a 5.0-inch screen is yours.

The infotainment system is responsive and easy to use, but it isn’t as easy on the eye as some competitors. If you want navigation you’ll need an SE Nav car or above — the added bonus is that these models enjoy a larger 8.0-inch screen.

SE Nav cars also bring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for full integration of your smartphone, as well as wireless phone charging; The neat little charging shelf replaces an endless tangle of cables.

 

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Performance & Handling: ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ (6/10)

 

There are three engines to choose from, ranging from a 1.0-litre petrol to a 1.6-litre diesel, but we’ve only driven the 1.4-litre petrol so far. This engine might not have the low-down shove of the diesel, but with 138bhp it’s brisk enough. Most of the car’s get up and go is to be found higher in the rev range, but engine refinement is good with little vibration or noise creeping in. The 6-speed manual gearbox is pretty slick, too, so letting the engine explore the upper reaches of the rev range is no chore. If autos are more your thing, a 7-speeder can be had.

The 118bhp 1.0-litre petrol engine is only available on S and SE cars, and is the most efficient petrol. A 6-speed manual is the only transmission option for this motor.

The sole diesel is a 1.6-litre, and is likely to be the most versatile all-round engine option given that the added torque will be put to good use when the car is loaded with people and life’s miscellanea. We’ll report back on what it’s like when we’ve driven it.

Driven vigorously the i30 Tourer acquits itself better than you might expect. It’s no sports car, but there’s little roll through corners, which – combined with good grip levels – helps to boost driver confidence. That said, it isn’t particularly engaging since the steering is a bit vague, so you don’t feel very connected to what’s going on at the front wheels.

The Tourer should be comfortable to live with. Over lumpy stretches of tarmac it soaks up bumps well — even with the larger alloy wheels. This cosseting ride is complimented by a quiet cabin; other than a bit of wind noise coming from its mirrors at speed, the interior is well insulated from external irritations.

Recommended engine: 1.4 T-GDi 140

 

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Safety Features: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ (8/10)

There is plenty of standard safety equipment on the i30 Tourer. All cars get Autonomous Emergency Braking, Driver Attention Alert, High Beam Assist, and Lane Keeping Assist. On most rivals this level of equipment comes at a notable cost.

Rear Cross Traffic Alert - very handy when reversing onto a busy road or out of a tight space - and Blind Spot Detection are only available on Premium and Premium SE cars.

The Tourer has yet to be crash tested by Euro NCAP, but the hatchback scored the full five stars. We would expect this car to do the same.

 

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Specs and Trim Levels: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ (7/10)

Colours

If you aren’t willing to pay for paint you have two choices. Red or white won’t cost you a penny, but every other colour will add £585 to the total. Colour choice is pretty good, but for us the Ara Blue is the standout shade.

Trim Levels

There are five trim levels to choose from ranging from the most basic S grade to Premium SE.

S cars are well equipped for an entry level model. Things such as 15-inch alloy wheels, automatic high beam, and cruise control come with every car. There is also a host of safety tech included.

SE adds a few luxuries to the i30 Tourer like 16-inch alloys and 5-inch touchscreen. Rear visibility is good on the i30, but parking sensors and a reversing camera will help you squeeze into tight spaces with confidence.

SE Nav does what it says on the tin. An 8-inch touchscreen features navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and makes this the trim that we’d recommend for balance of comfort, convenience and cost.

There is a notable price jump between SE Nav and Premium. For the added cash you get things like 17-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats and dual zone climate control.

Premium SE is fully loaded and get leathers seats as well as a glass panoramic sunroof.

Size and Dimensions

 

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Running Costs & Fuel Economy: ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ (6/10)

The i30 Tourer’s engine range has something for everyone. If you spend most of your time in town, the little 1.0-litre engine is likely to be a good bet. This 118bhp unit claims mid-50s when it comes to mpg, but its emissions of 120g/km CO2 are higher than you might expect.

The refined 1.4-litre petrol doesn’t do too badly for itself with around 50mpg for both the manual and automatic cars.

As you might expect, the diesel engine is the least thirsty, returning over 70mpg — this motor is also the least polluting.

The good news for buyers is that Hyundai i30 Tourer is cheaper to insure than many of its competitors, however, the more premium VW Golf Estate has stronger residual values further down the line.

 

Reliability and servicing

Hyundai does pretty well for reliability. Surveys have shown that they usually rank amongst the best and often outperform more premium brands.

All new Hyundais come with a five-year 100,000 mile warranty, and on top of that you also get five years worth of roadside assistance. This is better than the bulk of the i30’s rivals, which get three-year warranties, but it’s not quite as impressive as Kia’s seven-year warranty.

 

Verdict | Design | Interior | Technology | Performance | Safety | Specs | Running Costs | Pricing 

Pricing: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ (7/10)

The cheapest way into an i30 Tourer is with the 1.0-litre engine and entry S trim, and at less than £18k, it undercuts key competitors such as the Vauxhall Astra Tourer, Peugeot 308 SW and Ford Focus. However, top spec Premium SE cars are over £24k and push strongly into Volkswagen Golf territory.

SE Nav hits the sweet spot with all of the toys you could realistically want for £20k.

There are some low-interest, flexible finance offers on the Hyundai i30 Tourer, but if you’re buying outright then bear in mind that the Volkswagen Golf Estate has higher residual values after four years.

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