Hyundai i30 Wagon 2016 car review

The i30 has received Hyundai’s ‘fluidic sculpture’ design philosophy, showcasing European influences across the vehicle’s exterior. Lines draw your attention to the bodywork, which has been accentuated by bold wheel arches and a long wheel base to give a planted stance. The integrated roof rails look sporty but they’re also functional, allowing you to fit roof racks and mounts. The key to a successful wagon is finding that balance between practicality and style, and the i30 has achieved this.

The interior has also been well thought out. There’s ample space for its occupants, a large storage box in the back that’s big enough to fit a laptop, and there’s also factory mounting points for cargo barriers - but this is an extra option. The Bluetooth hands-free is easy to connect and use as all the controls are mounted on the steering wheel and the dash layout is easy on the eyes despite the absence of a touchscreen. The reverse camera display, conveniently integrated into the rear view mirror, is quite small making it difficult to gauge your spatial awareness and accurately measure your surroundings. Still, it’s better to have it than not at all, especially when parking.

The i30 is powered by two efficient engine options. With both petrol and diesel on offer, you can be sure to get the one you want without being overloaded with choices. Transmission options are the same with a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic to choose from.

The road test proved quiet and comfortable, and the turbo diesel engine powered the lightweight wagon along nicely although the low speed braking was quite aggressive in slow stop/start traffic. The vehicle easily pulled to a complete stop under light braking, making it difficult to slowly creep along but throughout the whole week of having this vehicle, this was the only driving situation I experienced which was negatively affected.