Test drive of the new Hyundai i30 Fastback 1.4 T-GDI 140 CV DCT, a very sporty alternative

Not long ago the disappearance of three-box cars was predicted. In a market where increasingly global models compete, compact three-box models seemed to have no place. Personally, I admit that it has always been a segment I have liked, and despite that premature prophecy, brands seem to keep betting on this segment, but updated, now with its own design and an increasingly sporty look.

Proof of this is this Hyundai i30 Fastback, which arrives in a segment where there is hardly any representation and does so with a different approach to design and sportiness. Not only because of its coupé-style shape, but because of the mechanical package we have tested, thanks to the 1.4 T-GDI petrol engine with 140 CV and the dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

Exterior design: a very sporty alternative to the hatchback

The i30 Fastback is recognisable even from the front, since it is lower and sportier than its five-door sibling. At the front, the headlights stand out, with LED technology for all lighting functions, as well as the LED daytime running lights in a shape that sit in the lower part of the bumper and also act as indicators.

The side profile is coupé-like, with a good aerodynamic coefficient. The rear side section may even remind us of the lines seen on other coupé models, but in this case from the SUV segment. All of it harmonised between elegant and sporty touches. Our unit was fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres in 225/40 R18 sizes, with excellent grip in any situation.

At the rear the design is quirky, with an overhang above the boot (which opens fully with the glass and is somewhat far to reach the bottom of it). The design shows that European taste has been taken into account, because these are lines a German brand could easily have, with an eye-catching, original and elegant final result.

Interior design: European harmony and quality

No, I haven’t made a mistake, nor has Hyundai left Seoul for a European capital, but without a doubt the headline is the first thing that comes to mind when I look at the interior design. Years ago the brand’s design was more spartan and cold, with few concessions to design or quality (though they aged just the same).

The interior of this i30 Fastback (like other models from the brand) opts for new materials, high-quality plastics that are soft to the touch, as well as a simple yet harmonious design with everything essential within reach.

The touchscreen at the top of the centre console stands out, with the climate control just below it. Otherwise there are hardly any buttons, apart from those around the gear lever. The instrumentation is simple but provides all kinds of information, including from the navigation system.

When we get behind the wheel, the driving position is comfortable, slightly elevated, with everything within reach and seats with electric adjustment (on our unit). Visibility is good except to the rear, where the design means we have barely any visibility.

The rear seats have wide seats, with enough space for feet and head. They also have air vents, and the low height of the central tunnel makes the middle seat quite comfortable. Finally, the boot has a capacity of 450 litres. It is shallow but large, though it is somewhat far away when reaching for items at the back.

Engine and performance: better four cylinders than three

The mechanical offering of the Hyundai i30 Fastback consists of a single 136 CV diesel engine and two very different petrol engines. The entry point to the petrol range is the 120 CV 1.0 T-GDI, a performance unit but with only three cylinders that does not offer all the smoothness it should, while the top petrol option is this four-cylinder 1.4 T-GDI with 140 CV, without doubt the best petrol choice.

This turbocharged four-cylinder stands out for being smooth and very performance-oriented. It starts pushing at just 1,800 rpm and does so forcefully up to 4,000 but without stopping until 6,000 rpm. It is a very willing engine that feels like it has more horsepower, as well as delivering linear, always smooth power. The brand’s engineers have worked on the design of the engine so that it is more efficient than previous four-cylinder units, and this shows in the consumption figures.

This engine can be paired with a six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, which is quick in sequential mode but not especially fast in normal mode. This 7-DCT automatic gearbox -as the brand names it- has two dry clutches, each with its own actuator. After testing it thoroughly, I think that unless you are looking for the comfort of an automatic, the manual is more recommended for making the most of the sportiness this i30 offers.

Handling: sporty not just in design

The Hyundai i30 Fastback has several driving modes: ECO, Sport and Normal. The Sport mode is especially noticeable as it acts on the accelerator pedal and gearbox, squeezing out every horse and showing sporty behaviour unexpected in a compact. In addition, this i30 Fastback has a very agile cornering ability, with lightness in every line and a stable, composed ride.

Its handling is noble, to such an extent that it feels like we have more horsepower under the bonnet, and it is also especially comfortable on the road. It has only one drawback: on the motorway a fair amount of road noise gets through, something to improve for the handling to be sublime. On twisty roads the combination of stability, firmness and engine response make it an agile and very fun car.

Consumption

Despite being a petrol car, performing smoothly and being automatic, the average consumption of this i30 has been quite low compared with other similar models. On the motorway the figure hovers around 5.9 litres per 100 km, while in the city, on our usual route around Vigo, it is around 7.5 litres per 100 km.

On the open road, depending on how careful we are with the accelerator pedal and with driving style, we can get between 6.4 litres and 6.9 litres per 100 km.

Equipment: complete in assistance and safety

Even from the base trim, this Hyundai i30 Fastback already comes with the following standard assistance and safety systems: lane change assist LKAS, forward collision warning, driver fatigue detection system and autonomous emergency braking AEB, plus six airbags, stability control and tyre pressure monitoring.

Depending on the trim level, it can also include autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, which works more than adequately. Other options include blind spot detection (BSD), rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA) and traffic sign recognition.

As for the multimedia system, the screen is very intuitive and easy to control, and the standard sound system more than meets our expectations; it surprises with its simplicity but works excellently.

Price and personal opinion

The Hyundai i30 Fastback is available from 16,765 euros with the 120 CV petrol engine. Although many had written off three-box cars in the compact segment, there are models like this i30 Fastback that make us excited again with a design unlike anything else on the market. The four-cylinder petrol engine is the better choice for its performance and refinement, and it has a reasonable consumption for the power it delivers.

Photos | Diego G. Moreira

Technical specifications of this car

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