Hyundai i30 · PD
Generation 3 2017–2024
A more grown-up i30: quieter, better built, with a full suite of driver assistance from launch and three bodies, hatchback, Wagon and the sleek Fastback. Turbo petrols (1.0, 1.4 and later 1.5 T-GDI) replaced the old naturally aspirated engines, the 1.6 CRDi soldiered on for fleets and the i30 N arrived as Hyundai's first genuine hot hatch, developed by ex-BMW M engineer Albert Biermann. The main buying decision is the gearbox: the manual is a safe bet, the 7-speed dry dual clutch needs a careful test drive.
Photo: MB-one · CC BY-SA 4.0
Recognition
How to tell it apart
- •Pre-facelift (2017–2020): narrow cascading grille with chrome surround, horizontal LED daytime lights under the headlamps, conventional halogen projectors below Premium
- •Facelift (2021–2024): wider grille reaching lower into the bumper, V-shaped LED daytime lights, slimmer LED tail lights; Smart/Premium cars have a 10.25-inch screen
- •i30 N: red pinstripe on the bumpers and sills, triangular third brake light in the roof spoiler, twin large tailpipes, 19-inch wheels and red calipers on Performance cars
- •Fastback: five-door coupé roofline with a ducktail boot; N Line: black grille, unique bumpers, 18-inch wheels and red interior stitching
2020 facelift (MY2021)
- Wider 'cascading' grille with a new mesh pattern, V-shaped LED daytime lights, new bumpers and LED tail-light graphics
- 48-volt mild hybrid on the 1.0 T-GDI and the new 1.5 T-GDI 160 hp; iMT clutch-by-wire manual introduced; 1.5 DPi 110 hp replaces the 1.4 MPI
- 10.25-inch navigation screen, 7-inch digital cluster on higher trims, refreshed N Line
- i30 N updated in 2021 to 280 hp with the optional 8-speed wet N DCT
Engines
Engines
1.0 T-GDI · 120 hp
2017–2024
Petrol · Manual / Dual-clutch automatic · FWD
Three-cylinder turbo; characterful, economical and adequate for the hatchback. From 2020 it gained 48-volt mild hybrid with the iMT clutch-by-wire manual or the 7DCT. Manual only before the facelift.
1.4 MPI · 100 hp
2017–2020
Petrol · Manual · FWD
Port-injected base engine, manual only. Slow with a full car but the simplest, cheapest and LPG-friendly choice; many were Classic fleet cars.
1.4 T-GDI · 140 hp
2017–2020
Petrol · Manual / Dual-clutch automatic · FWD
The best-selling pre-facelift petrol: quiet, quick enough and 6.5 l/100 km. With the manual it is the sensible pick; with the 7DCT it needs the cold test drive. Watch oil level between services.
1.5 DPi · 110 hp
2020–2024
Petrol · Manual · FWD
Facelift base engine: naturally aspirated Smartstream with port injection, manual only. Unhurried, simple and cheap to keep; a good fleet and first-car engine.
1.5 T-GDI 48V · 160 hp
2020–2024
Petrol · Manual / Dual-clutch automatic · FWD
Smartstream turbo with 48-volt mild hybrid, 6-speed iMT or 7DCT. Smooth and quick for a family car and the engine most late N Line cars carry; too new for a long-term reputation.
1.6 CRDi · 95 hp
2017–2018
Diesel · Manual · FWD
Economy-tuned fleet diesel, manual only; rare on the Polish market.
1.6 CRDi · 110 hp
2017–2019
Diesel · Manual / Dual-clutch automatic · FWD
Carried-over U-II diesel in the volume tune; many Wagons and fleet hatchbacks. Solid engine, DPF-sensitive to city use.
1.6 CRDi · 136 hp
2017–2019
Diesel · Manual / Dual-clutch automatic · FWD
Top pre-facelift diesel with 300 Nm on the manual; the long-distance Wagon engine. 7DCT cars carry the dual-clutch caveat.
1.6 CRDi Smartstream · 115 hp
2019–2023
Diesel · Manual / Dual-clutch automatic · FWD
Euro 6d diesel with SCR (AdBlue); 48-volt mild hybrid from the 2020 facelift. Cleaner and slightly more economical than the U-II; diesel was dropped from the i30 near the end of production.
1.6 CRDi Smartstream · 136 hp
2019–2023
Diesel · Manual / Dual-clutch automatic · FWD
The strongest i30 diesel: 320 Nm, AdBlue, 48-volt mild hybrid from 2020. The right Wagon for 40,000 km a year; ask about AdBlue system faults.
2.0 T-GDI (i30 N) · 250 hp
2017–2020
Petrol · Manual · FWD
Sought after Robust
The base N: 250 hp, 6-speed manual, 18-inch wheels, no limited-slip differential. Still a proper hot hatch with adaptive dampers and rev matching; much rarer than the Performance in Poland.
2.0 T-GDI (i30 N Performance) · 275 hp
2017–2020
Petrol · Manual · FWD
The one to have: 275 hp, electronic LSD, 19-inch Pirelli P Zero HN, larger brakes and the crackling variable exhaust. Manual only, available as hatchback and (from 2019) Fastback N.
2.0 T-GDI (i30 N facelift) · 280 hp
2021–2024
Petrol · Manual / Dual-clutch automatic · FWD
Sought after Robust
Facelift N with 280 hp, 392 Nm, lighter forged wheels, Performance kit as standard in Poland and the optional 8-speed wet N DCT with N Grin Shift. The most complete i30 N; the last were sold in 2024.
| Engine | For sale now | Years | Gearbox · drive | Sought after | Robust | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1.0 T-GDI · 120 hp Petrol · Kappa 1.0 T-GDI (G3LC) | 160 | 2017–2024 | Manual / Dual-clutch automatic FWD | Three-cylinder turbo; characterful, economical and adequate for the hatchback. From 2020 it gained 48-volt mild hybrid with the iMT clutch-by-wire manual or the 7DCT. Manual only before the facelift. | ||
1.4 MPI · 100 hp Petrol · Kappa 1.4 MPI (G4LC) | 67 | 2017–2020 | Manual FWD | Port-injected base engine, manual only. Slow with a full car but the simplest, cheapest and LPG-friendly choice; many were Classic fleet cars. | ||
1.4 T-GDI · 140 hp Petrol · Kappa 1.4 T-GDI (G4LD) | 113 | 2017–2020 | Manual / Dual-clutch automatic FWD | The best-selling pre-facelift petrol: quiet, quick enough and 6.5 l/100 km. With the manual it is the sensible pick; with the 7DCT it needs the cold test drive. Watch oil level between services. | ||
1.5 DPi · 110 hp Petrol | 137 | 2020–2024 | Manual FWD | Facelift base engine: naturally aspirated Smartstream with port injection, manual only. Unhurried, simple and cheap to keep; a good fleet and first-car engine. | ||
1.5 T-GDI 48V · 160 hp Petrol | 176 | 2020–2024 | Manual / Dual-clutch automatic FWD | Smartstream turbo with 48-volt mild hybrid, 6-speed iMT or 7DCT. Smooth and quick for a family car and the engine most late N Line cars carry; too new for a long-term reputation. | ||
1.6 CRDi · 95 hp Diesel | 1 | 2017–2018 | Manual FWD | Economy-tuned fleet diesel, manual only; rare on the Polish market. (some details unverified) | ||
1.6 CRDi · 110 hp Diesel · U-II 1.6 CRDi (D4FB) | 44 | 2017–2019 | Manual / Dual-clutch automatic FWD | Carried-over U-II diesel in the volume tune; many Wagons and fleet hatchbacks. Solid engine, DPF-sensitive to city use. | ||
1.6 CRDi · 136 hp Diesel · U-II 1.6 CRDi (D4FB) | 5 | 2017–2019 | Manual / Dual-clutch automatic FWD | Top pre-facelift diesel with 300 Nm on the manual; the long-distance Wagon engine. 7DCT cars carry the dual-clutch caveat. | ||
1.6 CRDi Smartstream · 115 hp Diesel · Smartstream 1.6 CRDi (D4FE) | 79 | 2019–2023 | Manual / Dual-clutch automatic FWD | Euro 6d diesel with SCR (AdBlue); 48-volt mild hybrid from the 2020 facelift. Cleaner and slightly more economical than the U-II; diesel was dropped from the i30 near the end of production. (some details unverified) | ||
1.6 CRDi Smartstream · 136 hp Diesel · Smartstream 1.6 CRDi (D4FE) | 7 | 2019–2023 | Manual / Dual-clutch automatic FWD | The strongest i30 diesel: 320 Nm, AdBlue, 48-volt mild hybrid from 2020. The right Wagon for 40,000 km a year; ask about AdBlue system faults. (some details unverified) | ||
2.0 T-GDI (i30 N) · 250 hp Petrol · i30 N · Theta II 2.0 T-GDI (G4KH) | 0 | 2017–2020 | Manual FWD | The base N: 250 hp, 6-speed manual, 18-inch wheels, no limited-slip differential. Still a proper hot hatch with adaptive dampers and rev matching; much rarer than the Performance in Poland. | ||
2.0 T-GDI (i30 N Performance) · 275 hp Petrol · i30 N Performance · Theta II 2.0 T-GDI (G4KH) | 3 | 2017–2020 | Manual FWD | The one to have: 275 hp, electronic LSD, 19-inch Pirelli P Zero HN, larger brakes and the crackling variable exhaust. Manual only, available as hatchback and (from 2019) Fastback N. | ||
2.0 T-GDI (i30 N facelift) · 280 hp Petrol · i30 N (2021+) · Theta II 2.0 T-GDI (G4KH) | 0 | 2021–2024 | Manual / Dual-clutch automatic FWD | Facelift N with 280 hp, 392 Nm, lighter forged wheels, Performance kit as standard in Poland and the optional 8-speed wet N DCT with N Grin Shift. The most complete i30 N; the last were sold in 2024. |
Versions
What the badges mean
Classic
commonbase
2017–2024
Fleet-spec entry: manual air conditioning, 15-inch steel wheels or small alloys, display audio without navigation. Lane assist and AEB were fitted even here from 2017.
Comfort
commonequipment line
2017–2024
Automatic climate control, heated seats and steering wheel, 8-inch touchscreen with CarPlay, rear camera, 16-inch alloys. The volume trim and the sensible target.
Smart
commonequipment line
2020–2024
Facelift mid-upper trim: 10.25-inch navigation, Smart Key, adaptive cruise on DCT cars, 17-inch wheels, part-leather. Good value used.
Premium
uncommonequipment line
2017–2024
Top comfort trim: full LED headlights, leather, ventilated and electric front seats, heated rear seats, Smart Key, panoramic roof on many, blind-spot warning.
N Line
uncommonequipment line
2019–2024
Sport styling pack on 1.0/1.4/1.5 T-GDI and 1.6 CRDi: unique bumpers, black grille, 18-inch wheels, sports seats, firmer suspension tune and a quicker steering rack. Cosmetic-plus, not a performance model.
Watch out: N Line is not an N. Sellers write 'i30 N' on N Line cars; a real N has a 2.0 turbo with 250–280 hp, red pinstripes, a triangular brake light and twin large tailpipes.
N / N Performance
uncommonperformance model
2017–2024
The hot hatch: 2.0 T-GDI with 250–280 hp, adaptive dampers, N mode selector, rev matching, variable exhaust; Performance adds e-LSD, 19-inch wheels and bigger brakes. Hatchback and Fastback N.
Watch out: N Line cars are frequently listed as 'i30 N'; check for the 2.0 turbo, the Performance badge on the tailgate and the N mode buttons on the steering wheel.
Options
Options that matter
uncommon
N Performance Package (i30 N)
On 2017–2020 N: 275 hp, electronic LSD, 19-inch Pirelli P Zero HN, bigger brakes and the variable exhaust. The version enthusiasts want; standard on the 280 hp facelift.
uncommon
Full LED headlights
Premium (and N) only until the 2020 facelift; much better night vision than the halogen projectors of lower trims.
uncommon
Smart Cruise Control (adaptive)
Part of Smart Sense on Premium and Smart trims; turns the i30 into a relaxed motorway car.
rare
Ventilated front seats
Premium only, rare on a C-segment car and a clear top-spec signal.
uncommon
Blind-spot collision warning
Premium-level safety feature; uncommon.
uncommon
Panoramic glass roof
Premium option; buyers like it, check the drains and the blind motor.
uncommon
Leather upholstery
Premium trim; N cars have suede/leather sports seats instead.
uncommon
N DCT 8-speed wet dual clutch (i30 N 2021+)
Adds N Grin Shift and launch control; a wet clutch, so far better regarded than Hyundai's dry 7DCT.
common
Reversing camera
Bundled with the 8-inch navigation; standard on Comfort+ in later years.
uncommon
Smart Key with push-button start
Premium and Smart trims; a good marker of spec level.
common
Heated front seats
Standard from Comfort; missing on Classic.
uncommon
Heated rear seats
Premium-level; often comes with the ventilated fronts.
uncommon
Electric driver's seat with lumbar
Premium marker; rare lower down.
common
Factory navigation (8 or 10.25-inch)
The bigger screen from the 2020 facelift is the one to have; both are reliable.
uncommon
7-inch digital instrument cluster
Facelift (2020+) Premium/N Line feature; nice but not important.
common
Lane Keeping Assist
Standard on most PD cars from 2017 (Hyundai fitted it widely); absence hints at a base fleet car.
common
Apple CarPlay / Android Auto
Standard with the 8-inch display audio from 2017; most PD cars have it, even without navigation.
common
Heated steering wheel
Hyundai fits it generously; expected on Comfort and above.
uncommon
Wireless phone charging
Premium/Smart convenience item.
uncommon
Tow bar
Common on Wagons; ask about towing history on DCT cars.
common
17–19-inch alloy wheels
17 on Premium, 18 on N Line, 19 on N Performance; cosmetic and a tyre-cost warning on N.
Before you buy
What to know
Strengths
- +Well built and quiet for the class; galvanised body with no corrosion history
- +Full driver assistance (AEB, lane keeping, driver attention) standard from launch in Europe
- +Torque-rich T-GDI petrols and the 1.6 CRDi are cheap to run; manual gearboxes are trouble-free
- +i30 N is a genuine, tough hot hatch with a strong specialist community and a 5-year warranty history
- +Deep supply of Polish-registered, dealer-serviced cars; parts are inexpensive
Expensive when they fail
7DCT clutch pack and mechatronics48V mild hybrid batteryDiesel SCR/AdBlue systemi30 N e-LSD and brakesFull LED headlamp units
Polish market
Hyundai is a top-three new-car brand in Poland, so the PD is everywhere with Polish first owners, dealer service books and often remaining warranty on 2020+ cars. Comfort trim with 1.0 or 1.4 T-GDI dominates; Wagons are frequently ex-fleet diesels. Manual cars sell quickly and 7DCT cars sit longer once buyers learn about the gearbox, a lever for negotiation, not a bargain. The i30 N is a small but liquid enthusiast market: Performance 275 cars hold value and the 280 hp facelift is priced close to new.
Known weak points
- serious7DCT dry dual clutchHyundai's 7-speed dry dual clutch judders from a standstill, hesitates in traffic and can need a clutch pack or control module well before 150,000 km. It is the single most common complaint on the PD. The i30 N's 8-speed wet DCT is a different, more robust unit.Check: Drive from cold in stop-start traffic and on a hill start; any shudder, delayed engagement or clunk is a reason to negotiate hard or walk. Ask whether the clutch or TCU was replaced under warranty.
- moderate1.4 T-GDI oil consumption and low-speed pre-ignitionEarly Kappa 1.4 turbos have documented cases of oil consumption and low-speed pre-ignition damage when run on the wrong oil or lugged in high gears; Hyundai issued software updates and specifies low-SAPS oil. Most cars are fine, some drink oil.Check: Ask about oil top-ups between services and insist on the correct oil specification in the service history; check for a cold-start smoke video.
- moderateDiesel DPF, EGR and AdBlue (2019+) on short tripsCity-driven 1.6 CRDi cars clog the DPF; Smartstream cars add an SCR system whose NOx sensors and AdBlue injector fail with age. Fleet cars usually motorway-driven are actually the healthier ones.Check: Look for DPF or AdBlue warnings, ask how the car was used and whether the filter is original.
- moderate48-volt mild hybrid system and iMT clutch (2020+)The 48V battery under the boot floor and the belt starter-generator can throw faults and immobilise the car; the iMT clutch-by-wire manual has its own actuator. Mostly warranty-era problems so far.Check: Ask for any history of hybrid or start/stop warnings; confirm the 5-year warranty and campaign work was completed.
- moderateSteering column coupling and steering rack noiseThe MDPS flexible coupling wears and knocks over bumps; some cars also develop a clunk from the rack. Cheap to fix, common enough to check.Check: Rock the wheel with the engine off; drive slowly over a rough surface and listen for a knock through the column.
- moderatei30 N: track use, clutch and consumablesMany N were bought to be driven hard; track days wear the clutch, e-LSD, brakes and front tyres, and modified cars (tunes, downpipes) are common. Not fragile, but history matters.Check: Ask directly about track days and modifications; check brake disc lips, tyre wear pattern, clutch bite point and that the ECU shows no tuning traces.
- noteThin paint and stone chipsHyundai paint of this era chips easily on the bonnet and sills; not a rust concern but it makes accident repairs harder to spot.Check: Use a paint gauge on all panels; mismatched thickness is the real signal, chips are cosmetic.
- noteInfotainment and camera glitchesThe 8-inch unit occasionally freezes or loses Bluetooth and the rear camera can fog; a reset usually cures it. Not a structural problem.Check: Test the screen, camera and phone pairing on the test drive.
From the market
Real cars on sale right now
From the market
Engines actually on sale
Grouped from 800 live listings: what people are selling, at what price and mileage.
| Engine | Share | Typical price | Median mileage | Gearbox · drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1.0 Petrol · 120 hp 1.0 T-GDI Smart | 19% | 49 900 PLN | 89 000 km | Manual / Automatic · FWD |
1.5 Petrol · 160 hp 1.5 T-GDI 48V Smart DCT | 17% | 66 900 PLN | 70 464 km | Manual / Automatic · FWD |
1.5 Petrol · 110 hp 1.5 DPI Classic + | 16% | 49 900 PLN | 118 893 km | Manual · FWD |
1.6 Diesel · 115 hp 1.6 D Comfort | 10% | 41 205 PLN | 174 465 km | Manual / Automatic · FWD |
1.4 Petrol · 140 hp 1.4 T-GDI Passion Plus | 10% | 47 000 PLN | 114 000 km | Manual / Automatic · FWD |
1.4 Petrol · 100 hp 1.4 Premiere Comfort | 8% | 42 500 PLN | 115 677 km | Manual · FWD |
1.6 Diesel · 110 hp 1.6 D Classic + | 5% | 33 900 PLN | 193 000 km | Manual / Automatic · FWD |
1.5 Petrol · 140 hp 1.5 T-GDI 48V-Hybrid DCT N Line | 5% | 89 900 PLN | 28 146 km | Automatic / Manual · FWD |
From the market
Price by model year
Typical price and mileage for each model year on sale.
From the market
Most common versions
- T-GDI Smart40
- DPI Classic +32
- T-GDI 48V Smart DCT29
- T-GDI 48V Smart25
- DPI Modern18
- T-GDI Modern18
- DPI Comfort17
- DPI Smart12
From the market
Equipment seen most often
Bluetooth 95%ESP stability control 95%USB socket 91%Power steering 91%Isofix child seat anchors 91%Front armrest 86%Rear parking sensors 86%Radio 82%Steering wheel audio controls 82%Cruise control 82%ABS 82%Electric front windows 82%Electric rear windows 82%Heated door mirrors 82%
Our picks
Versions worth looking for
1.4 T-GDI 140 or 1.5 T-GDI 160 with the manual gearbox, Comfort or Smart
Quick enough, economical and free of the dual-clutch worry; the definitive family i30.
1.6 CRDi 136 Wagon, manual, motorway history
The long-distance load carrier: 320 Nm in Smartstream form, 5 l/100 km, 602-litre boot.
i30 N Performance (275 or 280 hp) with documented, unmodified history
A hot hatch that beats a Golf GTI on involvement and costs less to buy; the e-LSD and variable exhaust matter, so avoid the base 250 unless the price reflects it.