The Hyundai i30 Kombi 1.5 T-GDI 48V iMT N Line at a glance
Hyundai i30 station wagon is cheaper than Golf, Leon or Octavia
A station wagon that can still be called that has become rare. In general, the trend, also in the compact class, is towards crossovers or sport utility vehicles. Pure estate cars like the family-friendly version of the Hyundai i30 are therefore becoming increasingly rare. The newly launched Korean is in the price list from 19,990 euros, while the basic VW Golf Variant costs 3,725 euros more. They are also more expensive for Seat and Skoda, but offer more standard equipment.
LED headlights continue to cost extra
In the Golf, Leon and Octavia, for example, LED headlights are always used to illuminate the car at night. The i30 in the lower equipment variants, however, relies on halogen lights even after the facelift – after all, in the factory combination with LED daytime running lights. Otherwise, the following applies: The Hyundai i30 has been made visually and technically fit for the next few years, the sheet metal trim has been tightened here and there and the infotainment system including the Bluelink connect service has been extensively revised.
i30 with convincing operation
In contrast to the Golf 8, the operation is largely kept simple, although we would have been happy to receive haptic feedback on the touch surfaces. In return, the partly digital instrument cluster shines with its clarity. Furthermore, real needles for the rev counter, tank level and water temperature are nice to look at, the analogue climate control is, as usual, below the 10.25 inch center display. The sport seats in the N-Line package can also impress with their fit, provided you are not too wide yourself. As is typical for Hyundai, the choice of materials and workmanship are at a good level.
Backbenchers are left behind
When it comes to space, the i30 station wagon is a typical compact car. There is enough room to move in the front. Meanwhile, adults have to make themselves small in the back row, USB charging connections or your own climate control are in vain. As far as the trunk is concerned, there is a tie with the Golf Variant (611-1,642 liters) with 602 to 1,650 liters. The rear seat bench can be placed almost entirely horizontally, and there are other useful storage compartments under the loading floor.
1.5 T-GDI with decent driving performance
But how does the always front-wheel drive Hyundai i30 station wagon drive? At least the 117 kW / 159 PS strong 1.5-liter turbo gasoline engine, supported by a 48-volt mild hybrid system, has no difficulty in adequately accelerating the approximately 1,500 kilos of the Korean (combined fuel consumption: 5.4 l / 100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 124 g / km²). The standard sprint from zero to 100 km / h takes 8.6 seconds, and the Korean continues to hurry up to 210 km / h. Even at higher speeds, engine and general driving noises remain in the background.
Battered and callous gearbox
253 Newton meters are already available from 1,500 revolutions per minute and allow a rather lazy operation, especially in city traffic. The technical highlight in the i30 is the 6-speed manual transmission with iMT addition. It enables the transmission to be uncoupled from the engine depending on the situation and sends the Hyundai on a temporary sailing turn.
Test consumption 6.8 liters per 100 kilometers
Overall, however, the handset is of a doughy nature, the electric clutch is numb and has no clear pressure point. If you want to avoid this circumstance, it is better to use the 7-speed dual clutch transmission. In terms of consumption, the Hyundai i30 1.5 T-GDI (according to the on-board computer) was satisfied with 6.8 liters of premium gasoline per 100 kilometers – a rather average value. Detached from the engine, however, the nimble tuning of the station wagon is convincing. The steering and N-Line sports suspension are tailored to dynamic drivers, but at the same time enable comfortable travel on long journeys.
Conclusion
Although the Korean is still fairly priced, especially in the higher equipment lines, the Wolfsburg class leader is clearly in sight. The operation of the i30 is more successful than with the Golf 8, the space conditions are almost equal. There is a clear difference in the drive. The eTSI engines from Volkswagen are more economical, the new electric manual transmission in the Hyundai i30 is tuned too callous. Nevertheless, the newly redesigned Hyundai i30 station wagon is an active family hero who doesn’t have to hide from the VW Golf 8 Variant or other competitors. (Text and image: Thomas Vogelhuber)
