Hyundai i30 (Elantra GT) review - better than a VW Golf?
Need help buying your next car? Click www.carwow.co.uk/help-me-carwow and my team and I will help you choose your ideal car at a fair price - from Mat Watson!
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This is the new Hyundai i30!
Now the i30 may have been seen as a budget option compared to the likes of the VW Golf and Ford Focus, but with updated looks both inside and out, coupled with new engine choices, could the latest generation change that?
In terms of engines, all versions are mild hybrid, with the range topper being a 1.5-litre 4 cylinder turbo petrol which can put down 160hp and hit 0 - 60mph in under 9 seconds.
Ok, so the stats aren’t incredible. But let’s not forget that with a carwow saving, you can pick up a new i30 for under £20,000! With that in mind, if you’re in the market for a new hatchback, should you start considering the i30? You’ll have to stick with Mat to find out!
Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:53 Exterior Design
01:50 Interior
04:39 Back Seats
06:37 Boot
08:00 Five Annoying Features
09:07 Five Cool Features
10:04 Engines
11:15 Town Driving
12:17 Motorway Driving
14:36 Twisty Road Driving
15:59 Verdict
Volkswagen Golf Review - bit.ly/Volkswagen-Golf-Review-...
Skoda Octavia Review - bit.ly/Skoda-Octavia-vRS-Revie...
Ford Focus Review - bit.ly/Ford-Focus-Review-2021
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So what do we think - does the new Hyundai i30 look better than the Mk8 VW Golf? VOTE for which you think looks the best below!
VOTE: Hyundai i30
VOTE: Volkswagen Golf
Volkswagen Golf
@@pranavprasanth4488 Hyundai is light years ahead of Volkswagen now.
I 30
Judge: do you have any last statements to make? Mat: Click on the pop up banner on the upper right hand side to go to Carwow
Since people started buying Kia/Hyundai, Germans stopped making good cars.
@@dragospahontu hmm they still make the best. id pay more for a less featured german car then a more featured korean car
@@dragospahontu What? The German cars are better than ever.
Lol
Lmfao!
Lol Matt mashing the hell out of his phone screen pretending that he's doing something on it. We love you Matt 🤘
😂😂😂
He's reading my comments. Lol
I realized that after he has nothing to show 😂
He has one t in his name
Been watching carwow for 2-3 years or so. Still haven't visited Carwow website.
I'm in Ireland so have no reason to. But love his reviews!
@@chloscorner same here im in Australia i watch em cause we get cars a year or 2 after they release them over there so I can see em before they are even announced here
Loll yea, i still cant afford a car. Soon
I cannot believe my eyes and ears, did Matt just forget to mention if the back windows go down all the way... I think we’re all gonna die😜
Funny....
Or the hooks for the coats😂
9:12 here you have it
@@warrior8154 no, he didn't *mention* the windows going all the way down, which is the whole point of the comment, as Matt always likes to point that out.
The automatic versions have adaptive cruise control. Most Kias and Hyundais do not have the radar system on manual cars
The i30n has it tho
I had it on the Ioniq Hybrid and it was pretty poor. Seemed pretty inconsistent and the lane centering couldn't hold itself properly in the centre, ping-ponging between the lines.
Watching this video and hearing that was stupidly frustrating. At least check major features like that and what trims they're available in.
Thanks!
იდბდ
I think Matt hasnt considered the price. Yes its only average compared to its rivals but you can get the top spec version for less money than lowest spec Golf. And if you compare similar spec you can get it like 20% cheaper. Suddenly its a great value for money.
I feel if this had a vw badge on it they would praise it massively but are much harsher on it being a hyundai, great little car and it makes the golf redundant.
You should watch his VW Grand California video - a total disgrace. Any review of a product by Carwow's shareholder Mercedes Benz, on the other hand...
I own Passat now after some Peugeots and Citroens, never going back, it’s german from now on, probably VW! I’ve sat in a Kia & Hyundai, feel a bit cheap and not solid.
He used to love Hyundai/Kia in his "Carbuyer" days but now despises anything Korean and bumlicks everything German.
I agree
@@millmoormichael6630 Too bad German cars are some of the most unreliable out there. Wouldn't exactly say they're "quality" when you could get a Japanese car with 90 percent of the interior quality of a German car but 10 times more reliability
It is definitely a great car. No question about it. You cannot just say "aaaaa" when you get so many things at that price. In Greece at this moment it costs 19000 euros for the 1.0T 120ps premium version, and you can get a VW golf with the same features with at least 25000. If you want to pay for the logo do it.
3:31 "This is a bit wobbly if you give it a wiggle" - *Doesnt wobble
And... any car does that if you do it hard enough.
it did a little tho watch it again.
@@justwatchitdude3996 just stop dude...
it DID
@@reenachauriya4931 It wobbles like a millimetre if you push it until your veins pop but then it also does that in my BMW X3.
Great looking car and clean and practical interior, Hyundai keeps putting their game up!
I like how Matt has colour coded his clothing especially for this review to match the cars exterior colour.
Seen one and sit on one years ago in a Motorshow. I loved the interior, but also 395 liters of charge capacity on the trunk is the same as a Seat Arona (a SUV) so that is brutally good. And the octavia is on a bigger segment of cars so you should not even compare it. But man even being an average car still looks brilliantly beautiful, and now they have micro hybridation which helps a lot on city restrictions. Brilliant car I'd say.
Not really, Skoda Octavia is basically a more practical VW Golf
Matt pretending to configure his favourite version of the i30 😂
Deserves an Oscar for acting skills.
😂
its hyundIE. who cares
Yup
AVOID Hyundai smartstream engine.
Love this full reviews going into detail. Nice job
I have the current 1.4T version and it is just as good as a Golf MK7 but with better spec and much cheaper!! Drives brilliantly and the only issue is the dull acceleration when setting off. Seems to be an 'eco' thing.
Am I the only one who prefers analog rev-counter and speedometer?
Ya I love them aswell they look cool and they never going to be outdated .
No you're not alone, I love analogue dials, that's why I'm happy that Toyota deliberately put analogue dials in the GR Yaris and not a stupid screen, will age far better 👍
@@ryadhasanahmed5443 ya they just look better and if they break you can go to a scarpyard and get it fixed for real cheap
@@neilmurphy845 exactly!
Same here, prefer analogue rev counter because somehow looks better personally
1:54 what about that door sound, love it! And digital dash look nice too, love the combination of classic dials and screen. Buttons of climate controls are better solution that one of WAG vehicles.
Thanks. Informative as ever. Waiting for your review of the new i20
The tail lights are 🔥🔥
Its been so long since Mat has done a review about a normal car (like an affordable ,not sporty, not luxury and not crazy)
...Skoda superb about a week ago?
A pretty decent car. Hyundai learnt a lot in the past years. I think the facelift i30 fastback n will be one of the candidates I consider to buy.
Mat: interior’s meh Mat in VW Golf: I hate this flashy interior 😂
I've never needed a car to be 'exciting'.
Mat is a VW rent boy
not a fan of VW. but i would AVOID HYUNDIE.
Took you long enough Matt! I have been waiting for a while for this! P.s. You forgot to check fake exhaust! 😁
I have a 2019 i30n Fastback.... and its fucking great!
Matt: Releases VIDEO Everyone: INDEED!!
ჯდნ
I think now have more personality with that new front. But in the rear, I really liked it the fog lights above the bump. Now it's seems like any another car who have that lights in the rear bumper. And if you want a flat floor, you have to lift the bench first and then fold the back seats. I don't know why always every car tester forget that thing! That mechanism exist from years Hyundai's at the very funcional for a daily use. Look all that storage places in the interior and in the trunk ! And they always have better numbers in comfiability. I think is a very very good buy
Aw was so hyped on you reviewing the new I20 :(
This car is really a complete package. Ideal 1.5L engine, Reliable, nice technology, good price, practical and great looking. Well done hyundai!
but the golf, leon and scala are all better
@@kristians2704 No... They aren't... People talk about all the praticality shit and forget the most important. Driver experience and the overall mechanical and technological parts of the car. The VWs (be it seat golf, skoda golf or vw golf) have among the worst petrol engines I've ever driven. I work in a car logistics company and I've driven every single seat of it's lineup (past and current) and drove a few golf and polos as well as T-Rocs that sometimes came by. The diesel engines... meh, I don't really care about them, but at the very least, I can say they are very good. The petrol engines though? Horseshit... a car with 90-100 horsepower that handles and accelerates like it has 60-70... Gear level also pretty mediocre. Drove all hyundais so far as well, even the i30N. The i20 had very good engines but yes... It was pretty cheaply and not that decently looking. By the way, what's a scala?
@@grimm6jack The Scala is Skodas hatback model
@@grimm6jack hi, i have an I-30 1.6 turbo diesel , and its engine never faulters , its roomy, very economical , & £ 20 a yr road tax , no reason to get rid , although 110 bhp is a bit lacking
@@grimm6jack i’m not talking about the 90hp engine. The 150 and 190hp petrol engines are very good and you can get GTI/R/cupra models. Also the Hyundai isn’t avaliable as a PHEV
The front end of this car looks like a Mazda 3 wearing braces lol
say Ryder when you gonna crash the car again?
I see a little bit of Ford Focus.
@@minorearthmajorsky1476 I ain't no Busta
@@Turtleback8024 more like Ford Out-of-Focus
@@Turtleback8024 there's lots of Ford Focus in the i30 design, always has been ever since 2011.
Ya Matt, your reviews are nice and you aren't annoying 👍🏽
I'm so impressed with the rear styling on i30s
OH MY GOD! I am soo excited that you finally made a video about the Hyundai i30 facelift, cuz I am considering that car the last mounth and I really wanted to hear your opinion about it. Thank you a lot!
The 2011 Hyundai Sonata has a problem where the engine seizes without warning. The average repair cost is about $5,000 and the average mileage at the time of seizing is around 90,000 miles. A class action lawsuit in 2015 found the 2.4-liter engine to be defective.
@@factsmatter6980 Struggling a bit to see the relevance of a problem on a 10 year old model. By that logic nobody should buy a VW because of Dieselgate. Or a Toyota because of the accelerator issue.
@@kiljaeden7663 probably some hyundai hater
Can’t wait to see the new 2021 i30n on this channel
no
The only i30 really! Haha
I love your videos. Well done. Continue please. Thank you.
Wasn't expecting an auto-blip function in a Hyundai i30. 🤔
9:45 the car looks so good
lol no
@@Kumar-bg6nr lol yes, stop fanboying
Guys come on matt vs Yianni running would be epic but What about both of them in reliant robins ramming eachother until someone flips
Haha kzhead.info/sun/e5yQkqawg2WYhKs/bejne.html
Make a review on rhe new Hyundai Tucson. I really like the new Tucson but I'm very curious what do you think about it. Good luck Matt!
I got this car in November, unfortunately in my country the highest trim level is "Highway" which comes with halogen headlights, the old infotainment and no digital driver's display. However I have it with the 1.5L Turbo. That being said, this is probably the best value for money car out there, for 17.2k euros that I paid for it, it offers more than a Ford Focus, VW Golf or Skoda Octavia to the point that my only regret is that I didn't get the automatic gearbox and that there isn't a higher trim level here cuz I would've gone for the Executive spec which is the highest spec with all the kit at 20k euros. My only complaint with the car is the manual gearbox, like Matt said, it's really weird with the bite point on the clutch, however you get used to it after a while and it's an amazing car.
Oh the stress of modern driving, having to actually pay attention to what’s in front of you and keeping between 2 white lines.
Imagine dying on the motorway thinking your car has radars...
Imagine how more stupid people will be relying on the systems and not know how to proper drive
@@axxisblack Exactly!
buying Hyundai = DEATH
I think Matt's bottled it , the prev model collision warning comes on before the brakes do their thing
@@newchannel1220 why?
Seeing proper rotary controls and proper buttons for the climate control is very satisfying.
Great, proper buttons for heating controls. Good interior.
Ordained Minister: "Do you, Mr Watson, take Mrs Watson as your lawful wife?" Mat: "To find out, click on the pop-out banner above."
Matt, it has to be an automatic transmission in order to have an auto braking system 🤣
Matt you should do a top 10 video we have missed the old ones that you used to do
I reaaallly like the physical buttons for aircon/volume :D
This video basically screams: "This is a great car but don´t chose the base model" xD
the front looks like a Focus and Leon merged into one
Hmm yes but it looks great tho
@@aqantifiriz7331 does look great for sure but it's still pretty blatantly a Focus.
Because ford copied Hyundai's design, same way they stole Aston's last generation
@@JYMAHJAMES that's laughably ignorant since right after the MK3 Focus brought around Ford's new design language Hyundais suddenly started looking like them. Then the facelift came to make those headlights even more like the Focus. Less delusions please. The i30 has always followed the Focus design language, and this current generation looks more like it than ever.
@@JYMAHJAMES these mf hyundies are just knockoffs nothing else.
I've got this car yet ordered since May 2021 and I hope it'll arrive at January, just with 1.5 petrol 7DCT in Premium trim. I am sooo excited! 🙂
May 21 for delivery Jan 23? Wow, they'll probably be a new model by then
@@bikeman123 May 22! Sorry, I've mistyped...
Love ❤️ your wonderful videos from Oz 🇦🇺🏁
Let’s face it the only Hyundai we’re ‘interested’ in is the N version 🙈
I drove the i30N... Well, lets say they come closer. They try... but, for the same money you buy an 125i or a a250 Mercedes-Benz with all options.. also, those just drive TONS better. I am not impressed by the i30n even when M BMW folks helpt them with development
@@sander5457 Who cares about a 125i or a a250 Mercedes-Benz? What you are saying makes no sence at all, all the journalist say the i30n is probably the best car value/perfomace wise, but you mentioned a e250? Following the same logic no one would by a focus st, gti and the list go on.
@@sander5457 Not everybody wants a 125i or a a250. I just feel like those cars are becoming overrated
One of the best looking hatches out there
you are blind
@@dark6c159 it does look pretty good, tho
Matt points out that it doesn't have a space to store the parcel shelf, but at 6:38 when he gets out of the back seat, by the time he opens the tailgate, the parcel shelf has disappeared. Magic!
Matt what is the best car in this class? If you want to have rear or 360 camera for parking & overall driving? Focus/Mazda etc
3:32 seems very good, not very wobbly at all especially compared to Ford kids’ lunchbox interiors
I don't understand this obsession with the wobbly center console. Have you considered the fact that it's intended like that to make it less prone to rattles over time? And his car's interior quality is similar to the last gen i30 and hence perfectly comparable to the Focus, I've driven both. I don't know why some of you Hyundai fannies pretend like the interior is better than it is. Be objective.
@@xIcarus227 not a Hyundai fan wtf? Dont own one and don’t know a single person who does. But Fords interior quality is quite shit in my mums focus titanium. Very plasticy for a £25k+ car. Might as well spend a little more and get a 1 series
@@youraveragejoe1 'a little more' for a 1 series with nothing on it. If it's the MK3 or 3.5 Focus then I agree, that interior is way too plasticky for what it is. But the new one is pretty much the same as what you see on this i30.
@@xIcarus227I’d rather have a base model 1 series personally. Just not a manual because I hate BMW manuals. I mean I have a 120i Sport myself and it’s decently equipped. But anyway that was just a very nitpicking comment... as you said the centre console moves a bit for a reason so it doesn’t rattle with age **cough cough VW group**. Not a Hyundai fan really, honestly don’t like them that much. Just was commenting on that moment of the video. Edit: spelling
@@youraveragejoe1 yeah I get what you mean I guess getting a lower end 1 series has its advantages. And sure my bad, I assumed too much.
Thanks Matt, would be good if dimensions could be given especially when comparing to other cars and parking spaces don't seem to be getting any bigger. Maybe spare wheel provided or not?
Great review Mat!
Fun fact: on hyundais with radar cruise control, you can only use the cruise with radar, which can be annoying as its braking and at the same time, the people hogging the middle lane drives one mad. Other cars have radar cruise with the option to switch off the radar
thank you thank you thank you! :) I'm getting mine without the adaptive/radar option, just the simple cruise control, and was a bit jealous of those with the adaptive. But not after your comment. :D Do you know how the adaptive works in a corolla or auris? Are they better?
When you're so early everyone is talking about being EARLY
Damit im late to the party
Who asked
@@romandockerty-smith6729 u
When you’re so EARLY that you see someone talking about how EARLY he is because everyone is talking about being EARLY
ჯდნ
Am I the only one who by the thumbnail was expecting this to be a Ford Focus?
I'm looking forwards to the new tuscon review, cos I think he might actually like that😀
Hey Matt, I thought you know that the popout screen isn't coming anymore!!!
Light is similar to that of Mercedes amg GT black especially drls
Very true!!! That’s the first thing I noticed
Yeah
I dont want anything except a Matt Yianni running race😭😭
I know 😂
And we need the mat vs yanni rolling race too
I prefere in depth reviews🥰
@@unknownuser2868 XD XD
I test the car as well and it is amazing 👍
I have an i30 2011 with a manual shifter and a 1.6L diesel engine producing an astronomical 115hp, all I can say that it is a very reliable and very economical car to own...
Previous Hyundai models used identical grills like that of Audi.
Which is ugly .
The current Hyundai chief designer worked at Volkswagen Automotive Group previously.
@@quinty26 I see.
I HATE that gauge cluster look too busy and cheap... i hope the i30n still has the older analog gauges or a full digital display
Good news, it still has the old one
It has the radar, or it wouldn't be able to warn for a collision. What it doesn't have is auto braking because of the manual gearbox as it would stall the engine since it can't shift on it's own.
How does disengaging the clutch help save fuel? My car does it and it just puts it into idle, however it uses no fuel if its left in gear when you go down hill?
Petition for mat vs yianni running race
yianni actually said that race will happen, so you can stop spamming it
8:20 I drive around in ECO Mode all the time in my Corolla. So get Bent.
perfect timing i was just looking at i30s
Auto braking may not be there in manual versions as it can't change great automatically. Just ask them if it's there on auto or not
Idea: Lotus Exige vs Bentley Continental GT Lightness vs Power DO IT
For some reason Carwow doesn’t sell Lotuses. So I wouldn’t hold my breath
Hyundai =💩💩💩💩💩
@@dwadd7528 lol kid
ჰჰდ
@@dwadd7528 SAIC Motor, Dongfeng, FAW and Chang’an, Geely, Great Wall, BYD = 💩💩💩💩💩 just kidding
It's a handsome wee car, the value is amazing! Shows much more expensive brands how it could be done. You have to be fair and honest the interior design is actually nice/alright. It's the fact it's all black or all grey that makes it look "meh" if they copied Peugeots cheap idea of using coloured fabric in some places it would look pretty good.
My experience of Hyundai (from owning a 2009 i30 version) is that although it's built well enough, the quality of the actual materials isn't the best. But I guess that's dictated by the price of the car.... No faults on mine in 3.5 years. Both the steering and gearbox were not up to competitors standards though. Knowing Hyundai, they'll have sorted it by now.
I wish you did an extra video (or chapter in this video) about the cheapest available configuration ("entry level"), at least in terms of interior design and infotainment. And, please, give us the price of exactly the configuration you have tested there. (you gave a link to your favorite configuration, but its not clear whether that is what we just saw).
Although I haven’t tried an i30 manual, my Hyundai was manual and the gearbox/clutch was not good. Like Matt said, has a weird friction point and was often annoying.
This is a really good car for the money. It looks REALLY good on the outside as well. But that interior is just so dull. Even the new Kia Ceed and SEAT Leon feel like a work of art inside compared to this. Hyundai really needed to overhaul that.
The car is good but you just say "consider it".. I didn't see that was coming..
Because it's not German
Yeah! From the moment that Korean designer left VAG and joined Hyundai Group, I and Matt both have grudge against Hyundai Group.
He was negative about the car the whole time (saying the centre console wobbled when it didn't etc) and you're shocked he said "consider it"? Ever since he left Carbuyer its obvious he hates Korean cars and ass kisses German ones.
@@TheIceMurder2 I reckon he should have said just avoid it. It would have been a really good cherry on the cake.
I have the 2018 standard model of the i30 and I love it very much.
I am wondering if the missing adaptive cruise control has maybe something to do with the manual gearbox.. ? 🤔
I’d pick the Golf over this, but would pick the Mazda3 or Corolla over any of them
Mat gets a fashion brand flask: It's all about the flask today...
*I love that number plate!*
hi Matt!!!! i 30 N Line DSG 1.5cc 159 ps mild hybrid or Seat Leon FR DSG 1.5 cc 150 ps mild hybrid??Which one you prefer?
I feel like this video he really had his decision made beforehand already. He kept explaining how most things were pretty good, but then adding that it's average afterwards. And then eventually give it a 'consider' after it seemingly being pretty damn good. Odd.
Cuz of the badge I reckon lmao
@@DrakeHDxgaming Possibly
Wouldn't be the first time Mat slams a car for no reason other than being non-German.
In his "Carbuyer" days he loved Hyundai/Kia but now seemingly despises them and ass kisses anything German. While the i30 doesn't blow you away in any one particular area it does everything well so for it to only get a "consider" rating is pretty damn harsh.
Yeah right! Now go and cry in the corner you little hundie fanboys.
Mat: Who wants to drive around in Eco mode? It's pointless. Me: I wish my VW Golf had Eco mode.
Your golf doesn’t have an eco mode? How old is it, genuine question?
@@youraveragejoe1 Mk7 (2014). It was available as an option, but the first owner of the car obviously didn't tick that box.
@@jonahswain oh right, I didn’t know something like that would be an option
Can't wait for your review of an n version!
will they upgrade the styling to something like the i20 or elantra in the next iteration?
Honestly I’d just get this to a daily driver in the 1.5L petrol 160hp
It's almost like a Golf, but with knobs and buttons!
Can't wait for the new Tucson review
Would t the radar cruise not work because it’s the manual? Meaning even if it doesn’t come to a full stop it may be a gear too high to accelerate? The full version is probably on the autos only
It’s an attractive car & I prefer the look of this to the Golf which is still a bit dumpy looking . I would like to see the i30N version of this
Mat: "Who wants to drive around in Eco mode? Pointless!" Well Mat, not all of us are given G63 AMGs and RS6s to drive around for 6 months ;) And on a more serious note, if I there is traffic and highly enforced speed limits I would love to drive in Eco mode. If the drive is already boring why not save some money and extend your range? And I think Hyundai is reminding you that this is not a sports car when it starts in Eco mode
Even thought he did classify it as an annoying feature, I'm sure the part about not wanting to drive in eco mode was a joke
@@sahirdiesh6386 Mat makes a lot of funny jokes. One of the reasons I have been watching him since the Carbuyer days. He has risen in popularity in Carwow and brings us a lot of interesting content which is nice but maybe all the AMGs, BMW Ms, RSs, Lambos, Porsches etc are starting to get to hi head. However this particular line was not really a joke and sounded like a spoilt child of a millionaire. "Eco mode? Pointless" I can understand to be pissed off if it was a Lambo but on a sensible Hyundai i30? People that buy the i30 are cost sensitive so Eco mode makes perfect sense in it.
I love the styling. It's pretty smart-looking.
Dear @carwow, about the intro, I hate how you covered the car's front with all the (with all due respect to Matt) *irrelevant* * social media!!! Other than that, very good review, as always. Thank you! *by now, we all are aware of Matt's social media