Hyundai i30 Hatchback 1.0 DCT Turbo (A) Facelift Review

Downsizing has been an ongoing rage. We've seen it happening from high-performance sprinters to everyday run-of-the-mill cars. And as is the trend, Hyundai has hopped onto the bandwagon with the facelifted i30 Hatchback, now fitted with a turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder powerplant.

Everyday driver

This engine manages to pump out 118bhp and 200Nm of torque, naturally a fair bit lesser compared to the bigger and more powerful 1.4-litre engine that was previously available in the predecessor.

As a result, careful planning and a heavier right foot are required for the Hyundai to perform overtaking manoeuvres on the expressways, and to get the sort of punch and verve you'd expect from a turbocharged hatch.

Still, over the course of three days we spent with the car, we managed 12.5km/L. It's far from the stated figures, but considering how hard we were with the car, this isn't too shabby at all. In comparison, we previously attained 13.5km/L with the 1.4-litre variant.

Everyday performer

Regardless, the fuel consumption isn't the only thing to consider the i30 Hatchback as a charmer. It isn't just cheap to run (road tax will be less than $400 a year), the car is more fun to pilot than the Ford Focus or the Opel Astra.

The small engine manages to flex its muscle effectively for expressway cruising as well as for zipping in and out of slower-moving vehicles around the city with minimal fuss. It feels light on its feet and offers an amount of grip that's sufficient for hooliganism before giving in to any form of understeering. Perhaps the only gripe we have with this car is that it's nowhere as fun and talkative as, say, the Volkswagen Golf.

Once you get up to cruising speed, however, all of the i30's shortcomings are immediately forgotten. It rides extremely comfortably and external noises are down to minimum, while all on board will enjoy maximum comfort with the hatchback feeling like a larger and effortlessly civilised hauler.

Everyday hauler

And civilised it is, even on the inside. The rear will fit three adults with ease, and you can fit 395 litres worth of groceries and luggage in the boot - a sizeable space that's even more generous than the Focus, Golf and the Mazda3 Hatchback.

Looks wise, the updated i30 Hatchback here is now more modern and dynamic, with V-shaped LED daytime running lights, reshaped bumpers and a tweaked grille.

More relevantly, this car here differentiates itself from its segment peers with its suite of safety systems. Dubbed SmartSense, there's an array of safety features that will help make your daily drive a little less stressful.

There's the Lane Following Assist that will keep you centred in your lane, Rear Cross Traffic Collision-avoidance Assist that will slam on the brakes for you should the car thinks you're going to reverse into something, and also the Leading vehicle Departure Alert that will let out a chime if you don't notice that the car in front of you has set off - a useful feature that's targeted at drivers who are constantly on their phones at the lights.

Everyday for you and me

There are several obvious challenges for the i30 Hatchback here. For starters, it doesn't have a badge that's quite as desirable as its peers. Secondly, many will lament that there is simply no replacement for displacement and its 1.0-litre engine will be somehow lacking. Lastly, the car will set you back a hefty $103,999 (as of 4 February 2020), which is higher than even the recently launched Hyundai Avante.

However, the truth is the car has more pros going for it. Its running costs will be more affordable, it's refined and effortless on the go, able to take up any sort of challenge the roads offer and will haul you and your family and all the weekly barang barang you have with absolute ease.

And if these are your priorities when it comes to owning a car, which we reckon is sensible, then the car here could be well up your alley.