Caroline reviews the Hyundai i30 Fastback.

The Hyundai i30 Fastback is the latest addition to the Hyundai i30 range in Ireland, joining the i30 hatchback and estate.

Hyundai pitches the i30 Fastback as “the first elegant five-door coupe to enter the compact segment”, with design being a key distinguisher for the Hyundai i30 Fastback within the i30 range.

In Ireland the Hyundai i30 range starts from €20,245 for the hatchback, while the i30 Fastback starts at €24,995. However, just one model is offered for the Fastback with a high specification and modern 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine with 120hp.

The Hyundai i30 Fastback is an elegantly styled car. The roof line is lower than the i30 hatchback, the front grille is lower and it has its own bespoke rear styling. This is probably the most successful part of the design, giving the i30 Fastback the appearance of a larger and more luxurious car when viewed from behind. 17” alloy wheels come as standard as do LED daytime running lights.

The i30 Fastback’s silhouette is more saloon-like but it still has a hatchback-style boot that lifts to reveal a generous 450 litres of space, though the more shallow nature of the boot and load lip may make loading larger items more difficult than in the i30 hatchback.

Inside the interior space is good by class standards. The rear bench will accommodate three while the footwells are of a decent size and even the middle passenger gets a flat space to put their feet.

The Hyundai i30 Fastback is undoubtedly elegant and classy on the outside but it’s more austere on the inside. The dash design is simple and well-laid out, however there is a lot of hard black plastic. The interior could do with some more plush materials to finish the cabin.

Equipment levels are good including four electric windows, cruise control, high beam assist, air con and reversing camera. Safety equipment includes autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assist and driver attention warning. Infotainment is provided via an 8” touchscreen with Apple Car Play and Android Auto.

The Hyundai i30 Fastback is available in Ireland with just one engine: a 1.0-litre turbo petrol unit with 120hp. Performance is competitive and with this engine and six speed manual gearbox the i30 Fastback is very pleasant to drive. It’s quiet on the move while good progress can be made in town and out on bigger roads. Emissions of 120g CO2 place it in tax band A4 with motor tax of €200 per year. My fuel economy was 6.3l/100km over a week of driving.

What’s the Hyundai i30 Fastback like to drive?

On the road, the Hyundai i30 Fastback is a fuss-free drive with light steering and comfortable composure over a variety of roads. Compared with the hatchback, the chassis of the i30 Fastback has been lowered by 5mm and the stiffness of the suspension has been increased by 15%. The steering tightens up in corners to offer more resistance in spirited driving. The i30 is competitive in terms of driving dynamics without excelling in any one area.

The Hyundai i30 is a compelling proposition among rivals and even within the i30 range. With Irish buyers starting to reconsider if they really need a diesel car, carmakers offering good petrol powered compact cars like the i30 Fastback have an even better platform to sell cars. The Hyundai i30 Fastback carries a small premium over the equivalent hatchback, but it is a stylish car while still being practical for every day life.

Caroline Kidd

Model tested: Hyundai i30 Fastback 1.0 T-GDI
Price: €24,995 (i30 range from €20,245)
Engine: 1.0-litre turbo petrol
Power: 120hp
Torque: 171Nm
0-100km/h:  11.5 seconds
Top speed: 188km/h
Economy: 5.2/100km
CO2 emissions:  120g/km
Motor tax: €200 per year

For more information visit www.hyundai.ie

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