2021 Hyundai i30 gets a facelift, more safety, wireless CarPlay

Hyundai has announced detailed pricing and specifications of the 2021 i30 which has received a facelift for entry grades, more active safety tech and an equipment bump for the new model year.

The fitment of Hyundai’s Safety Sense suite across the range means that now every variant gets at least forward collision assist, lane trace assist and driver attention warning, which is great to see.

Naturally, more tech means that the price of entry has climbed somewhat – the base model $20,440 Go has been dropped, and the range now starts with the $23,420 i30 manual. On top of that, Hyundai charges an extra $2,000 for a six-speed automatic.

Across the range prices have increased by around $2,500 across the range, see the end of this article for a detailed price breakdown.

On top of the extra kit, the i30 looks a little better for 2021 with the Active and Elite taking on the polygonal front grille first seen on the i30 sedan. The base-model i30 also thankfully gets 16-inch alloy wheels instead of steelies with hubcaps.

Overall the exterior design is far more sophisticated than the outgoing model and makes the N Line –which remains the same for the time being – look rather old-hat. Hopefully it will soon see the styling tweaks of the N Line sedan.

Under the bonnet, the i30 remains nearly identical though the unpopular 1.6-litre turbodiesel has been axed. Powering the base variant, Active and Elite variants is a two-litre direct-injection four-cylinder engine with outputs of 120kW and 203Nm which is a reasonably sweet unit.

Hyundai has updated the interior with some really desirable features including a leather-appointed steering wheel, a larger eight-inch touchscreen with capacitive touch shortcuts – like in the new Ioniq – with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. 

That alone earns a big tick from us here at Chasing Cars. Also added is a seven-inch partially digital driver’s display for the base i30 hatch as well as adjustable rear-seat air vents on every grade.

Safety-wise the base i30 hatch gets a forward collision system which can apply full braking between 10-55km/h, and partial braking up to 75km/h when a vehicle is detected. Unfortunately, the system can only warn of pedestrians and cyclists, not offer any braking. Still, we know Hyundai’s lane-keep assist to work rather well indeed.

All automatic i30s will be equipped with adaptive cruise control systems with traffic jam assist, with the Elite variant featuring blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

For a small extra outlay, $26,920 Active is equipped with an automatic transmission larger 17-inch alloy wheels, leather-appointed seats and one-touch windows – though those should really be standard across the range.

Building on that specification the $30,220 Elite adds a generous 10.25-inch touchscreen display with built-in navigation, DAB radio, wireless charging, smart key accessibility and premium infinity sound system.

The pearl of the i30 range is the 1.6-litre turbo-powered N Line variants which benefit from 150kW and 265Nm outputs and the option of a slick-shifting seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox or a six-speed manual.

For $29,420 the i30 N Line soldiers on with familiar styling and mirrors the Active’s level equipment, though with the added niceties of LED headlights and taillights, rain-sensing wipers, wireless charging and tacky Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres.

Further niceties added to the N Line Premium include the same Infinity premium sound system of the Elite, DAB radio, a power-adjustable driver’s seat with heating and ventilation for both passengers. That car is priced at $31,420 with a newly available six-speed manual, or $36,220 with a dual-clutch gearbox.

That extra safety tech included on the base model, wireless Apple CarPlay and refreshed styling keeps the i30 a compelling choice. The new hatch is on-sale now.

2021 Hyundai i30 Pricing

All prices are before on-road costs

i30 Manual – $23,420 (up $2,980)
i30 Auto – $25,420 (up $2,650)
i30 Active Auto – $26,920 (up $3,040)
i30 Elite Auto – $30,220 (up $1,900)
i30 N Line Manual – $29,420 (up $2,410)
i30 N Line DCT – $34,220 (up $4,180)
i30 N Line Premium Manual – $31,420 (new model)
i30 N Line Premium DCT – $36,220 (up $630)