PERHAPS THE SMARTEST BUY in its category is the Hyundai i30 hatch. It has been converting buyers to the Korean brand ever since it launched, and now that it’s been given a styling refresh and additional standard equipment, it’s sure to continue its winning ways.
An attractive redesign for i30, Active and Elite variants brings 2021 i30 hatchback into line with the striking all-new i30 Sedan.
These freshly restyled variants are offered alongside N Line and N Line Premium variants that continue to offer the popular sports styling package.
As part of a standard SmartSense suite every 2021 i30 hatchback now includes Collision-Avoidance Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Lane Keeping Assist and Lane Following Assist.
Other i30 Hatch grades also feature Blind-Spot Collision Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning and Smart Cruise Control (automatic and DCT variants).
In addition, i30 hatchback is boosted with extra luxury and convenience features.
Every 2021 i30 Hatch – including the entry level (badged simply ‘i30’) – now features alloy wheels, an upgraded 8.0-inch multimedia system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and a 7.0-inch colour LCD Supervision cluster.
Also standard across the range are a leather steering wheel and gear knob, an electronic parking brake and air-conditioning vents for rear occupants.
i30 hatchback Active builds on the impressive range-opener with a leather interior and larger, 17-inch alloy wheels.
The tech-focused i30 Elite features a crisp and clear 10.25-inch navigation unit, Infinity premium audio and a Smart key & push button start.
N Line variants bring a 150kW 1.6 turbo engine, sports suspension and now feature LED headlights.
And the flagship N Line Premium combines i30 luxury features with N Line performance enhancements in a single well-appointed package.
2021 i30 hatchback is available in seven exterior colours: Polar White, Phantom Black, Fluidic Metal and Amazon Grey, as well as the vivid Intense Blue and Fiery Red, and the vibrant N Line-specific Lava Orange.
“With range-standard SmartSense safety, refreshed styling and extra equipment, our ever-popular i30 hatchback is now an even more compelling proposition in the small car segment,” Hyundai Motor Company Australia Chief Executive Officer, Jun Heo said.
“The stylish 2021 i30 hatchback complements the progressive all-new i30 Sedan as well as performance N Line variants to provide the perfect small car package for a wide variety of customers,” he said.
Refreshed styling
Bold new styling features for 2021 i30, Active and Elite trim levels, while the popular N Line styling package is carried into 2021 i30 N Line hatchback variants.
The updated look applies Hyundai’s new ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ design language, starting with a sharp frontal treatment incorporating a new bumper, grille and lighting elements.
The reshaped grille projects a broad, low and sporty stance, and features geometric dark chrome grille elements that tie in with all-new i30 Sedan’s ‘parametric pattern’ motif.
Functional wheel air curtains at each side serve to further develop i30 hatchback’s confident, athletic visage.
Redesigned headlights feature an all-new, sporty, black bezel design, with a revised tapered shape to match the new front grille. These are complemented by the eye-catching ‘parametric pattern’ LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) mounted in the wheel air curtains, which also function as LED front indicator lights.
A new rear bumper design features repositioned rear reflectors paired with a mesh-effect full-width rear bumper insert. Now located lower in the bumper, the redesigned reflectors complete i30 hatchback’s low and wide stance.
Alloy wheels are standard for 2021 i30 hatchback in 16- and 17-inch designs that feature a contemporary contrasting metallic dark grey finish and a machined face.
Standard SmartSense safety package
A generous suite of SmartSense advanced safety technologies features in every 2021 i30 hatchback, joined by additional systems in the Elite variant.
Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist – City/Urban/Interurban/Pedestrian/Cyclist
Standard in 2021 i30 hatchback, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) utilises the front radar sensor and windshield-mounted camera to detect vehicles and pedestrians in front the vehicle.
If a potential collision is detected, the FCA system will sound a warning chime and display a warning in the Supervision cluster.
Additionally, FCA is capable of automatically applying the vehicle’s brakes in the case of a potential collision (where no driver intervention is detected after a FCA system warning).
Dependent on both the speed of the vehicle and the object detected, the system will either attempt to apply full braking to bring the vehicle to a complete stop, or apply partial braking to reduce the severity of a collision.
Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go (Automatic and DCT variants)
SCC utilises the front radar sensor to detect the speed and distance of vehicles ahead of i30. SCC then automatically maintains a safe distance to the vehicle ahead, up to a speed pre-set speed by the driver (between 30km/h and 180km/h).
The Stop & Go function allows SCC to work in stop/start traffic, bringing the vehicle to a complete stop when appropriate, and automatically (if within three seconds of stopping) accelerating it back to the original set speed.
If the vehicle is stationary for more than three seconds, SCC w/ Stop & Go will prompt the driver to continue cruise conditions via the steering wheel switches.
Lane Keeping Assist – Line
Lane Keeping Assist – Line (LKA-L) system consists of two modes – Lane Departure Warning (LDW) mode, and Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) mode.
At speeds of 60km/h or above, LDW uses the windshield-mounted camera to detect lane markings and monitor the vehicle’s position in the lane.
Should the vehicle stray from the intended lane without indicators being activated, audible and visual warnings will be issued.
LKA can be activated at speeds of 60km/h or above where lane markings on both sides of the vehicle are detected. LKA helps prevent the vehicle from straying from the lane by providing steering intervention should the driver not react to warnings from the LDW system.
Both LKA & LDW are momentarily deactivated whenever indicators are active. Additionally, the driver must maintain control of the vehicle by holding the steering wheel at all times.
LKA & LDW can be activated via a long press of the Lane Keeping Assist / Lane Following Assist button the steering wheel.
Lane Following Assist
Lane Following Assist (LFA) uses the front windshield-mounted camera to detect lane markers as well as vehicles ahead, and provides steering assistance to ensure the vehicle stays in the centre of the lane.
LKA and LDW can be activated by a long press of the Lane Keeping Assist/Lane Following Assist button on the steering wheel, and is operational when lane markers are detected at speeds up to 180km/h.
Driver Attention Warning
At speeds of 60 km/h or above, Driver Attention Warning (DAW) uses the windshield-mounted camera to monitor the vehicle’s position within the lane, whilst tracking steering/braking inputs and time since last break.
Should the system detect careless driving (such as sudden steering/braking inputs and/or inability to keep within the lane), the ‘Attention Level’ indicator on the cluster will continually decrease. Should the level decrease to a certain threshold, the DAW system will recommend that the driver takes a break.
The system now also features Leading Vehicle Departure Alert, which monitors the vehicle ahead when i30 is stopped in traffic. If the vehicle drives off, and the i30 driver fails to accelerate away, the system will sound a gentle chime to alert the potentially inattentive driver.
High Beam Assist
Using the front windshield-mounted camera, High Beam Assist (HBA) scans the road ahead of i30, monitoring for street lights, as well as the headlights and taillights of vehicles in front. Upon detection, the system automatically adjusts headlight range, switching between high and low beam.
HBA is operational once the light switch is placed in the Auto position, with the lever pushed forward (away from the driver).
Blind-Spot Collision Warning (Elite variant)
At speeds of 20km/h or above, Blind-Spot Collision warning (BCW) uses radar sensors on either side of the rear bumper to detect vehicles next to and diagonally behind the i30. If a vehicle is present in i30’s blind spot, BCW displays a visual alert in the exterior mirrors. If the driver proceeds to activate the corresponding indicator lights, a flashing visual warning is provided and an alert is sounded.
Additionally, the Lane Change Assist (LCA) feature scans for vehicles approaching rapidly from the rear, and uses the same BCW warning measures to alert the driver of rapidly approaching vehicles that may soon enter i30’s blind spot.
Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning (Elite variant)
Using the BCW system’s radar sensors, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning (RCCW) monitors for traffic approaching on either side of the i30 when reversing out of perpendicular parking spaces. Should RCCW detect a vehicle approaching, an alert is sounded and a visual warning is displayed in the cluster.
Upgraded multimedia
8.0-inch multimedia system (i30, Active & N Line)
A revised 8.0-inch multimedia system for 2021 i30 hatch brings wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, a first for the Australian Hyundai range.
The unit also features Bluetooth connectivity for phone calls and audio streaming and a USB input.
Android Auto users that wish to connect via a USB cable may continue to do so by selecting the option in the multimedia unit.
10.25-inch satellite navigation system (Elite & N Line Premium)
Hyundai’s all-new 10.25-inch touchscreen multimedia system brings a futuristic feel to 2021 30 hatchback.
The unit features capacitive touch buttons – with physical power and volume knobs – and a large, high-resolution, wide-screen display with split-screen functionality.
The system gives users an array of connectivity features, including Bluetooth for phone calls and audio streaming and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity via USB cable.
Technology, convenience & comfort
7.0-inch Supervision cluster
A 7.0-inch colour TFT LCD Supervision dash cluster is standard in every 2021 i30 hatchback.
It features a digital speedometer display that presents different themes dependent on the selected Drive Mode (the Drive Mode system is standard in automatic and DCT variants).
The cluster also displays a range of trip computer information, as well as system status and visual alerts from 2021 i30 hatchback’s various safety systems.
Electronic parking brake
An Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) is now standard in every i30 hatchback, to make parking brake operation convenient and easy.
Rear air vents
Every i30 hatchback features HVAC outlets for rear occupants, mounted at the rear of the centre console.
Safe Exit Warning (Elite variant)
The Safe Exit Warning (SEW) system monitors the vehicle’s surroundings and provides warnings to improve the safety of occupants exiting the vehicle.
SEA utilises radar sensors on either side of the rear bumper to detect vehicles approaching from the rear, and is active when the vehicle is stopped.
If one of i30’s doors is opened while an approaching vehicle is detected, the system will sound an alert and display a warning in the instrument cluster.
Rear View Monitor (Elite & N Line Premium)
A new Rear View Monitor (RVM) system allows the rear camera to remain on continuously during driving, so that the driver may monitor the road conditions behind the vehicle.
A conventional rear view camera function continues to feature in every i30.
Australian tuned chassis
2021 i30 hatchback benefits from an Australian-tuned ride and handling programme, as does every new Australian Hyundai model (excepting iLoad and iMax).
The tune for i30 hatchback’s strut front suspension, and its coupled torsion beam and N Line-specific multi-link independent rear suspensions carries into the 2021 model from the settings honed during development for the model.
Hyundai Australia Engineering & Development created a reassuringly stable and comfortable package, with a sporty sense of involvement, over thousands of gruelling R&D kilometres, across a range of challenging Australian conditions.
Pricing (excludes on road costs)
| Engine | Transmission | i30 | Active | Elite | N Line | N Line Premium |
| 2.0 GDi | 6-speed manual | $23,420 | – | – | – | – |
| 6-speed automatic | $25,420 | $26,920 | $30,220 | – | – | |
| 1.6 T-GDi | 6-speed manual | – | – | – | $29,420 | $34,220 |
| 7-speed DCT | – | – | – | $31,420 | $36,220 |
| Options | i30 | Active | Elite | N Line | N Line Premium |
| Metallic paint | $495 | $495 | $495 | $495 | $495 |
2021 i30 (Hatch) Specifications
| i30 | 2.0 MT or AT | |
| Key specifications: | ||
| SmartSense advanced safety: | Auto dusk sensing headlights | 8.0-inch touchscreen radio system |
| – Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist | LED daytime running lights | Apple CarPlay/Android Auto |
| – Driver Attention Warning | Rear parking sensors | 7.0-inch colour LCD Supervision cluster |
| – Lane Keeping Assist | Rear view camera | Electronic parking brake (EPB) |
| – Lane Following Assist | 16-inch alloy wheels | Leather steering wheel & gear knob |
| – Smart Cruise Control | Full size spare wheel | Rear console cooling vents |
| i30 Active | 2.0 AT | |
| Key specifications above i30: | ||
| 17-inch alloy wheels | Leather appointed interior | One touch auto up/down windows |
| Chrome exterior trim highlights | ||
| i30 Elite | 2.0 AT | |
| Key specifications above Active: | ||
| Blind-Spot Collision Warning | Infinity premium audio system | Rain sensing wipers |
| Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning | DAB+ digital radio | Wireless charging pad (Qi standard) |
| 10.25-inch satellite navigation system | Dual zone climate control | Smart key & push button start |
| i30 N Line | 1.6 Turbo MT or DCT | |
| Key specifications above Active: | ||
| 150kW / 265Nm 1.6 Turbo engine | Wireless charging pad (Qi standard) | Smart key & push button start |
| Multi-link rear suspension | Dual zone climate control | LED headlights & tail lights |
| Temporary spare tyre | Rain sensing wipers | |
| N Line styling – interior & exterior | ||
| i30 N Line Premium | 1.6 Turbo MT or DCT | |
| Key specifications above N Line: | ||
| Front parking sensors | Infinity premium audio system | Electro-chromatic interior mirror |
| Sunroof | DAB+ digital radio | Sun visor extensions |
| Solar control glass | Heated and ventilated front seats | |
| 10.25-inch satellite avigation system | 10-way power driver’s seat | |
Once we have tested and assessed the new Hyundai i30 Hatch range, seniordriveraus will bring you a comprehensive review, including everything the over-50 driver needs to know.