Hyundai updates i30 small car range

HYUNDAI has given its popular i30 small hatch range a light update, introducing petrol power to the Elite and Premium model lines, increasing specification on particular variants, and raising prices on all trim levels bar the base-spec Go.

While Go variants – first introduced to the range in December – still start from $19,990 plus on-roads for the petrol six-speed manual, the Active model grade has increased in price by $140 with the addition of a leather-appointed steering wheel and gear knob.

Standard specification on the Go includes seven airbags, 16-inch steel wheels, 8.0-inch touchscreen radio system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, reversing camera, daytime running lights, cruise control and front and rear power windows.

The Active adds 16-inch alloy wheels, rear park assist, sat-nav, DAB+ digital radio and power folding exterior mirrors with LED side repeaters.

Go and Active variants equipped with an automatic transmission can also now be optioned with the $1750 SmartSense pack, which includes driver assistance features such as autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind spot detection with lane change assist, lane keep assist, driver attention alert, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, electronic parking brake, 2.0-inch instrument cluster display, rear A/C vents, power folding exterior mirrors with LED side repeaters and a chrome insert front grille.

The more luxurious Elite and Premium variants have expanded to include the option of the 120kW/203Nm aspirated petrol engine, with a six-speed automatic transmission as the sole gearbox.

Existing Elite and Premium models employing the 100kW/280Nm 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engine have increased in price by $1540 to $30,490 and $35,490 respectively.

Elite variants gain satin chrome side moulding, while Premium variants gain a seven-speaker Infinity premium audio system and LED tail-lights. The SR Premium also gains the Infinity sound system, and has increased in price by $540 to $34,490.

The Elite comes as standard with 17-inch alloys, leather-appointed interior, dual-zone climate control, one-touch automatic windows, wireless charging pad, rain sensor and push button start.

Opting for the Premium adds front park assist, panoramic glass sunroof, solar control glass, sun visor extensions, power driver’s seat, electrochromatic interior mirror, heated and ventilated front seats, LED headlights and indicators, and a power outlet in the luggage compartment.

No changes in specification have been made to the regular SR, despite a $40 price hike.

SR-specific equipment includes 18-inch alloys, dual exhaust tips, red trim inserts and stitching, multi-link rear suspension, sports front seats, alloy pedals, LED tail-lights, and space-saver spare wheel.

The SR’s 150kW/265Nm 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine remains unchanged, and can be bought with either a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Options other than the SmartSense pack include $495 metallic and mica paint, a $295 beige interior for the Elite and Premium, and a $2000 panoramic sunroof available on the SR and Elite.

The updates do not apply to the recently-released i30 N hot hatch.

Sales of the i30 have increased 5.4 per cent in through the first three months of 2018, with 6751 new registrations compared to 6404 over the same period in 2017.

6751 sales is enough to place the i30 third in the small car segment, behind the Toyota Corolla (9264) and Mazda3 (8916), but ahead of the Volkswagen Golf (4885), Kia Cerato (4582) and Honda Civic (4166).

2018 Hyundai i30 pricing*

Go
2.0 GDi	$19,990
2.0 GDi (a)	$22,290
1.6 CRDi	$22,490
1.6 CRDi (a)	24,990
Active
2.0 GDi	$21,090 (+140)
2.0 GDi (a)	$23,390 (+140)
1.6 CRDi	$23,590 (+140)
1.6 CRDi (a)	$26,090 (+140)
SR
1.6 T-GDi	$25,990 (+40)
1.6 T-GDi (a)	$28,990 (+40)
Premium (a)	$34,490 (+540)
Elite
2.0 GDi (a)	$27,790
1.6 CRDi (a)	$30,490 (+1540)
Premium
2.0 GDi (a)	$32,790
1.6 CRDi (a)	$35,490 (+1540)

*Excludes on-road costs