Used Hyundai i30 Fastback 2018-present review

If you fancy the idea of a Hyundai i30 but don’t like the looks of the hatchback or estate versions, you might find this swoopy-looking Fastback model more to your taste. In the style of such cars as the Audi A5 and the Kia Stinger, the i30 Fastback is a five-door, five-seat coupe of suave looks and impressive practicality, which seems to have few rivals other than the Mazda 3 Fastback at its relatively modest price point.

It’s actually more than just a pretty face. It’s longer and lower than the regular i30 hatch, for starters, with a stiffened suspension setup for sportier driving, and it’s sexier in the details, too. Engine options are petrol-only: a 118bhp 1.0-litre and a 137bhp 1.4-litre that also offers an automatic gearbox as an option to the standard six-speed manual.

Trim-wise, equipment is decently generous, with the base-spec SE Nav featuring an 8.0in touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s also wireless phone charging and a rear-view camera, though to indulge in the luxury of artificial leather seats you’ll need to upgrade to Premium spec, which adds LED headlights too. Top-of-the-line Premium SE cars get a panoramic sunroof.

It’s worth mentioning that safety equipment is equally generous, with lane departure warning, forward collision warning, lane-keep assist and autonomous emergency braking standard across the range. Premium-spec cars also get blind-spot warning.

On the road, it’s rather nice to drive. Unexciting, but pleasant. The 1.0-litre car needs to be worked hard to make good progress. In contrast, the 1.4 feels lively and has more low-down push, but both engines are reasonably smooth and quiet once up to speed.

The steering is a great improvement on Hyundais of old, being better weighted and less vague around the straight ahead. It grips well and handles safely, even if it’s unlikely to set an enthusiast’s heart on fire. The N-Line version actually gets a slightly firmer suspension setup, and corners with slightly less lean than the standard car.

Only the road noise lets the i30 Fastback’s refinement down, as it’s a little too pronounced around town and rather intrusive on motorways.

Inside, the driver’s seat is comfortable and supportive, and the possible adjustable positions good. The dash and instrument layout is all logically laid out and well finished, with most materials feeling soft to the touch and looking more expensive than they probably are.

In terms of infotainment, all models get an 8.0in colour touchscreen with sat-nav, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring. Although it's not the most graphically sharp system out there, it is easy to navigate and quick to respond. It has handy shortcut buttons below the screen, too.

As far as space goes, there may well be slightly less rear head room than in the regular hatchback, but it’s still pretty good. The boot is actually slightly bigger than the hatchback’s.

If you'd like to buy a used i30, or any of the other family cars mentioned here, please look at our classifieds site here.

Around £13,000 is the starting point for an i30 in Fastback form, this for a good 2018 car with an average mileage for the year and a full history, bought from an independent dealer. Up this to around £15,000 for a 1.4 in top-spec trim, or try between £15,000 and £18,000 for a 2019 car. Spend between £18,000 and £20,000 on a 2020 car and £20,000 to £28,000 on a 2021 model.

If you want to find out whether an i30 you’re thinking of buying is really worth the price that’s being asked, try What Car?'s free valuation tool.

Find a used Hyundai i30 for sale here

On paper, the most economical of the two petrol choices is the 1.0-litre-engined car, with a high of 52.3mpg according to the latest WLTP figures. Expect around 48.7mpg from the larger 1.4-litre unit.

All of the Fastback models should have been registered after the tax changes of April 2017 came into force, which means they’ll all pay a flat rate of annual car tax (VED), currently £155 a year. Insurance costs are very competitive.

Servicing and repair costs on Hyundais are generally very reasonable compared with those of most other makes. However, keep in mind that Hyundai’s discounted out-of-warranty menu service pricing scheme won’t kick in until your i30 hits five years old; for other manufacturers, it starts at three years old.

Engines

Of the engines, the 1.0 is hardly a ball of fire, so even though the more powerful 1.4 can be thirsty it’s our choice.

Trims

SE and SE Nav are the ones to go for because you get a lot more equipment over the entry-level S without having to fork out too much. Premium and Premium SE are rather expensive to buy and aren't really worth the extra outlay unless you must have a car with all the toys.

Our favourite Hyundai i30 Fastback: 1.4 SE Nav

The Mazda 3 saloon sits in line with its hatchback sibling rather as the i30 Fastback does with its hatch version. It’s larger and more spacious, although it goes by the unpretentious name of saloon. The previous generation Mazda 3 did similar, too, and it called its alternative to the 3 hatch the 3 Fastback. They were all good to drive, even if the engines could sometimes feel a little wheezy. Used prices are strong.

The Mercedes A-Class saloon takes the hatchback and, guess what, turns it into a four-door saloon. Its interesting profile hides a slight decrease in rear head room, but presumably owners would be happy to put up with this for the increase in style. Used examples are pricey.

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If you'd like to buy a used i30, or any of the other family cars mentioned here, please look at our classifieds site here.