Used Hyundai i30 Hatchback 2017-2026 review
Sharp looks and the potential residue of a five-year warranty make the Hyundai i30 an appealing used family car
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What's the used Hyundai i30 like?
Ownership cost
Our recommendations
Alternatives
Reliability
George Hill & Mark Pearson
Updated: 2 September 2026
How we test cars
What's the used Hyundai i30 like?
The days of Korean car makers missing the style mark are far behind us. Sure, there are even more striking models to reference than the Hyundai i30, but this third-generation model wears a suit as sharp as any other current family car – a more dashing one than the 2012-2017 Hyundai i30 and 2007-2012 Hyundai i30 that went before it; we think you'd agree.
It's not just a five-door hatchback, though. You can also choose the Fastback or the Tourer estate bodystyles, plus there's the i30N hot hatch that's remarkably good fun to drive.
Overview
Sharp looks and the potential residue of a five-year warranty make the Hyundai i30 an appealing used family car.
Pros
- Long warranty from new
- Low used prices relative to some of its rivals
- Usefully sized boot
Cons
- Sluggish performance
- Bit bland to drive
- Rear seat space not huge
Used cars available now
In partnership with
Hyundai i30
2.0 CRDi Premium Euro 4 5dr
£895
Hyundai I30
1.6 CRDi Blue Drive Active Euro 5 (s/s) 3dr
£995
Hyundai i30
1.4 Comfort Euro 5 5dr
£1,195
Hyundai i30
1.6 CRDi Comfort Euro 4 5dr
£1,200
Hyundai i30
1.4 Classic Euro 4 5dr
£1,250
Hyundai i30
1.4 ES Euro 4 5dr
£1,250
Hyundai i30
1.6 Style Euro 4 5dr
£1,275
Hyundai i30
1.6 Comfort Euro 4 5dr
£1,290
Hyundai i30
1.4 Edition Euro 4 5dr
£1,290
See all available cars
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It went on sale in 2017, but has had several major facelifts in that time, one in 2020 and the other, a substantial one in 2024. It was eventually withdrawn from the market in 2026.
Now, it makes for a great used buy. Plenty are on forecourts at very reasonable prices, and its reliability looks good. Rivals include the Ford Focus, Seat Leon, Skoda Octavia and Volkswagen Golf.
Engines: Its engine line-up is admirable, too. You can choose between three petrol engines – a 1.0-litre, a 1.4-litre and a 2.0-litre – and a 1.6-litre diesel, all of which are turbocharged. A mid-life update introduced a range of hybrid engines including a 118bhp 1.0 T GDi 48v Hybrid 120, and a 1.5 T-GDi 48v Hybrid 159, which has 157bhp and a special-order 1.6 CRDi 48v Hybrid 136 diesel.
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Unfortunately, on the road, none of the older engines are particularly scintillating in terms of performance, with the exception of the 2.0 petrol. This can be found exclusively in the i30N hot hatch, which bucks the trend of the rest of the range by offering genuinely involving handling and exhilarating acceleration.
Of the hybrids, the 1.0 features a very small electric motor and battery, for a little electrical ‘kick’ as you drive around, but while there's enough performance for day-to-day driving, it's not going to set your world on fire. The 0-62mph sprint takes 11.2sec, which is slower than some of its rivals.
The i30 suffers from a little more engine and road noise than you might like, too, especially if you choose the 1.0 petrol engine. That said, it’s by no means the worst in its class for refinement; it just can’t quite match up to the best.
Ride and handling: Out on the road, most versions of the i30 benefit from a soft suspension set-up that bestows upon it a very agreeable ride on all but the roughest of roads.
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The downside is that the i30 has a tendency to lean over more in corners, meaning it doesn’t feel as sharp or responsive as some of its more composed rivals. The slow, numb steering doesn’t help – but there is at least plenty of grip.
Interior & practicality: Inside, first impressions are promising; the i30’s dashboard is easy on the eye and the plastics used throughout are of reasonable quality. It’s a shame that some of them are rather dark, leading the interior to feel a little gloomy, but for the most part it’s not an unpleasant place to be.
You get a decent amount of space up front, too, although in the back it’s a little tighter than rivals such as the Skoda Octavia and Nissan Pulsar. The same can be said for the boot, although you do get slightly more luggage space than you’ll find in either a Volkswagen Golf or Ford Focus.
Trims & equipment: Entry-level S models come with all the basics, including 15in alloy wheels, a digital radio, Bluetooth connectivity and automatic emergency braking, but spend a little more and SE models add a colour touchscreen, rear parking sensors and a leather steering wheel. SE Nav adds an integrated sat-nav with a larger screen, if you can stretch to it.
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Premium trim gives you climate control, artificial leather seats that are heated in the front, front and rear parking sensors and additional safety systems, while Premium SE gives you a panoramic sunroof, real leather seats and a heated steering wheel.
The mid-life update that brought in the hybrid engines also ushered in the following trims: N Line, Premium and SE Connect. SE Connect trim has most of what you might reasonably need or desire, including 16in alloy wheels, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gearlever, air-con, automatic lights and wipers, cruise control and power-folding door mirrors. N Line is the sporty option, mirroring the more aggressive looks of the full-fat i30N hot hatch, plus it brings privacy glass and climate control. Premium trim adds further luxuries such as keyless entry, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.
Updates
September 2020: Facelift brings refreshed styling, mild hybrid tech for 1.0 T-GDi and 1.6 CRDi engines (1.4 T-GDi is dropped), and 157bhp 1.5 T-GDi engine for N Line editions
- February 2019: i30 N Line gets 119bhp 1.0 T-GDi engine option and sportier looks
- September 2018: i30 N Line has 138bhp 1.4 T-GDi engine
- April 2017: i30 Mk3 hatchback arrives in five-door form with 119bhp 1.0 T-GDi or 138bhp 1.4 T-GDi petrol engines, or 109bhp 1.6 CRDi diesel.
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"A little bit under the radar, the i30, but a really likeable car. Anyone looking for something of this size could do a lot worse." - Mark Pearson, used cars editor.
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.
Tips & Advice
How to test drive a car
There’s no substitute for a test drive in a new car. Take it on a variety of roads and surfaces to ensure it measures up.
Make sure you’re insured for the test drive
Short-term car insurance – also called test-drive insurance – will ensure you’re legal when you’re shopping for your next car
Will the car fit your needs?
As part of the test drive, fill the car with regularly-carried luggage, and make sure the family can get comfy before you buy
Ownership cost
What used Hyundai i30 will I get for my budget?
Prices start at around £5000 for an early i30 of this generation with high miles. You’ll find prices are below those of the Volkswagen Golf and Skoda Octavia, and on a par with the Ford Focus, Seat Leon and Peugeot 308. Spend £8000 on good 2017 to 2018 cars, and around £9000 on 2018, 2019 and 2020 low-mileage models. For a 2021 car, expect to pay upwards of £10,000. Spend between £10,000 and £15,000 on a good 2022, 2023 or even 2025 model, and up to £20,000 on cars from 2025 or 2026.
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.
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Find a used Hyundai i30 for sale here
How much does cost to run a Hyundai i30?
MPG
While the i30’s engines are from the ‘small and turbocharged’ school of thought that should mean they’re extremely economical, they aren’t quite as advanced or clever as those of some rivals, with the result that fuel economy, particularly for the 1.4-litre petrol, lags far behind with a WLTP economy figure of 48.7mpg, although, the more powerful 2.0-litre found in the i30N is far worse at 36.2mpg. The 1.0-litre petrol and 1.6-litre diesel are both better at 51.4mpg and 58.9mpg respectively, but neither can match the very best in the class.
Of the later hybrids, the 1.0T GDi averages 53.3mpg, the 1.6 CRDi 61.4mpg, and the 1.5T GDi 44.8mpg.
Road tax
Only a handful of i30s will have been registered before the 1 April 2017 cutoff for the new tax regime. If yours is one of these cars, rejoice, because you’ll pay considerably less tax – although your bills won’t be quite as low as those from other manufacturers, due to the i30’s slightly higher emissions figures. If your car was registered after 1 April 2017, by contrast, you’ll pay a flat rate fee every year. This is currently £200 per year.
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Servicing
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.
Reliability
The Hyundai i30 is generally reliable, according to feedback from owners in our latest What Car? Reliability Survey.
Owners praised its dependability but reported some recurring issues, including infotainment system faults and unexplained warning lights. While dealers often resolved these quickly, some owners experienced delays in sourcing parts, leading to longer repair times.
Diesel models, in particular, saw frustration with persistent engine faults requiring repeated visits. Despite this, many owners praised the friendly, efficient service provided by dealerships.
To explore more about the reliability of the Hyundai i30, visit our dedicated reliability page.
Tips & Advice
Organise your motoring life
Whether you need to keep tabs on your insurance renewal, sort breakdown cover, or book a service, My What Car? has you covered
Never miss a motoring date
Remembering to arrange insurance, book a service or buy breakdown cover can be a pain. Fortunately, My What Car? is here to help
Can I buy a car with cash?
Paying cash isn’t always an easy way to a new car – and you may not be able to get the big discounts you might expect
Protect your investment
GAP insurance allows you to get the full price for your car if it’s stolen or written off, but only a quarter of Brits buy it
Reduce your car finance bills
Refinancing your car effectively means taking out one loan to pay off another, which could help reduce your monthly payments, or reduce your finance term
What is hire purchase?
Hire purchase allows you to make monthly payments to buy your next car – although these will be higher than with a PCP
What is PCP finance?
Low monthly payments are key to the appeal of Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) agreements. But are there downsides?
Our recommendations
Which used Hyundai i30 should I buy?
Engines
Of all the older pre-facelift engines, the 1.0 represents the best compromise between efficiency, performance and cost. It’s hardly a ball of fire, but the more powerful 1.4 is too thirsty and too costly to tax to justify. The 1.6 diesel, however, is a decent alternative if you’re doing higher mileages.
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Trims
SE and SE Nav are the ones to go for from the earlier cars 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 used Hyundai i30 1.0 T-GDi SE Nav
Tips & Advice
Which smartphone integration should I have?
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are fantastic – and free – technologies. Here we show you the benefits, drawbacks and best apps
Avoid ULEZ and clean-air zone fines
If you regularly drive into a clean air zone, you’ll want to ensure your next car is compliant to avoid costly fines
Alternatives
What alternatives should I consider to a used Hyundai i30?
Rivals include the Ford Focus, Seat Leon, Skoda Octavia and Volkswagen Golf.
The obvious alternative is the Seat Leon, whose excellent blend of value, equipment, build quality, space and driving excitement make it a compelling used buy. Or if you fancy something that’s even more spacious, you could choose the Leon’s more expensive sibling, the Skoda Octavia.
If you’ve got a bit more cash to splash, there’s always the Volkswagen Golf, which is about the same size as the i30 but is classier inside, more efficient and better to drive. Alternatively, if reliability is key, the 2017-onward Honda Civic is worth a look.
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For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? Newsletter here
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.
Hyundai i30 owner reviews
Sort by: Most Recent Star rating
Stephen
Hyundai I30 petrol
Likes: Value, Reliability, Servicing, Running costs
Mar 15, 2026 9:29 AM
I have never had anything go wrong with my vehicle and it has always passed every MOT without needing any work.
How reliable is the Hyundai i30 ?
Reliability rating: 78%
Hyundai i30
Read reliability
Used cars available now
In partnership with
Hyundai i30
2.0 CRDi Premium Euro 4 5dr
£895
Hyundai I30
1.6 CRDi Blue Drive Active Euro 5 (s/s) 3dr
£995
Hyundai i30
1.4 Comfort Euro 5 5dr
£1,195
Hyundai i30
1.6 CRDi Comfort Euro 4 5dr
£1,200
Hyundai i30
1.4 Classic Euro 4 5dr
£1,250
Hyundai i30
1.4 ES Euro 4 5dr
£1,250
Hyundai i30
1.6 Style Euro 4 5dr
£1,275
Hyundai i30
1.6 Comfort Euro 4 5dr
£1,290
Hyundai i30
1.4 Edition Euro 4 5dr
£1,290
See all available cars
About the writer
Name: George Hill
Title: Used car writer
Follow George Hill on
George Hill first joined the What Car? team as a staff writer in 2021, before becoming a used car writer in 2024 and a reviewer in 2026. In his current role he writes new car reviews for What Car? magazine and whatcar.com.
If you follow What Car? on social media, you might see him presenting the odd video on new cars too.
Name: Mark Pearson
Title: Used cars editor
Follow Mark Pearson on
Mark Pearson has been a motoring journalist for more than 15 years and is currently the used cars editor for What Car?.
Mark spent his formative years at the BBC, where, at various times, he scheduled, broadcast and archived television and radio programmes and researched, wrote and produced promotional material.
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