Tuesday, February 25, 2020

Here is your first look at the facelifted Hyundai i30

It’s been quite a busy month for Hyundai.

Just last week, we got our first glimpse of the all-new i20 in production form. Fast-forward to today, and the Korean carmaker has unveiled another vehicle yet again, this time in the form of the refreshed i30 that’s set to be launched at the 2020 Geneva International Motor Show.

PHOTO: Hyundai

The updated i30—which comes in hatchback, fastback, and wagon body styles—looks much sportier than its predecessor. The front bumper is a bit wider, with new air intakes that are much bigger than before. The shape of the headlamps is basically the same, but the V-shaped signature LED daytime running lights give the car an almost new facade. This design is also carried over to the taillights, albeit only for the i30 hatch.

PHOTO: Hyundai

Speaking of the hatchback’s rear, the bumper has been slightly redesigned for improved aerodynamics. As for wheel options, the new-look diamond-cut 16- or 17-inch alloys are available across the range. In addition to the six existing color options, three new exterior colors have been introduced: Dark Night, Silky Bronze, and Sunset Red.

Inside the cabin, the A/C vents sport a new look. Hyundai has made the i30’s interior highly customizable, too, with new color options available, namely: Pewter Gray, Ebony Brown, and Charcoal Gray. The seats come in cloth, leather, or a combination of both.

PHOTO: Hyundai

A new seven-inch digital cluster and a 10.25-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto can also be found here. Wireless charging is now available, and Hyundai will introduce wireless phone mirroring later this year. The updated i30 is also equipped with Hyundai’s Bluelink technology that offers Connected Car Services via a smartphone app. This, plus the Hyundai LIVE Services, gives you more connectivity than before.

The i30 gets a handful of powertrain options as well. There’s a 1.5-liter mill capable of 108hp and mated to a six-speed manual; a 118hp 1.0-liter engine with a 48V mild-hybrid setup, mated to either a six-speed intelligent manual transmission (iMT) or a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox; a 1.6-liter diesel that generates 113hp and comes with a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (also available as a mild-hybrid setup, which ups the total output to 134hp); and another mild-hybrid 1.5-liter gasoline powertrain that is capable of 158hp and can be mated to either the iMT or the DCT mentioned above.

PHOTO: Hyundai

As far as safety tech goes, the new i30 is equipped with lane-following assist, rear collision-avoidance assist, leading vehicle departure alert, and blind-spot collision-avoidance assist. There is also an available eCall feature, which prompts the vehicle to contact emergency services when the airbag sensors are triggered.

“By listening to our customers, we’ve determined there is a need for a safe, reliable car in the C-segment that also offers modern features such as state-of-the-art connectivity and efficient powertrains—and that looks good,” says Hyundai Motor Europe marketing and product vice president Andreas-Christoph Hofmann. “The new i30 covers our customers’ needs while still being available at an attractive price point. It really has a universal appeal.”

So, what do you think of the new Hyundai i30? And which version would you take—hatch, fastback, or wagon?

PHOTO: Hyundai