Item: 2012 Hyundai GD i30
Rating: 4

Comfortable ride
High standard of interior fit and finish
Quiet, well-insulated cabin
Frugal turbo-diesel engine

Vague steering
Interior lacks sound insulation
Dynamics fall short of Ford Mk.3 Focus and Mazda BL Mazda3

Review: Hyundai GD.I i30 (2012-15)

Overview

Released in July 2012, the Hyundai GD Series I (GD.I) i30 was initially available as a small, five-door hatchback. Three-door models, however, were subsequently introduced with Special Editions (July 2013) and SR editions (August 2013). Manufactured in Ulsan, South Korea, the front-wheel drive Hyundai GD i30 was available with three petrol engines (the 1.6 GDI, 1.8 MPI and 2.0 GDI) and one turbo-diesel engine (1.6 CRDi).

G4NB, G4FD, G4NC and D4FB engines

Of the engines,

the 1.8-litre G4NB ‘Nu’ petrol engine had an aluminium cylinder block and head, multi-point fuel injection, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, continuously variable intake and exhaust valve timing (D-CVVT) and a compression ratio of 10.3:1;
Reserved for the Special Editions, the 1.6-litre G4FD ‘Gamma’ petrol engine which had an aluminium block and cylinder head, direct fuel injection, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, continuously variable intake and exhaust valve timing (D-CVVT) and a compression ratio of 11.0:1;
For the SR editions, the 2.0-litre G4NC ‘Nu GDI’ differed in that it had a variable induction system and a compression ratio of 11.5:1; and,
The 1.6-litre D4FB ‘U’ diesel engine had a cast iron engine block, an aluminium cylinder head, common-rail injection, a variable geometry turbocharger, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 17.3:1.

All engines were available with six-speed manual or automatic transmissions. While manual models had a gearshift indicator light to encourage fuel-efficient driving, automatic models had an ‘ECO indicator’ with fuel conservation tips.

Hyundai GD i30 specifications
Variant	Engine	Edition	Years	Trans.	Peak power	Peak torque
1.6 GDI	1.6-litre petrol I4	Special Edition	2013	6sp man., 6sp auto	98 kW at 6300 rpm	163 Nm at 4850 rpm
1.8 MPI	1.8-litre petrol I4	Active, Elite	2012-15	6sp man., 6sp auto	110 kW at 6500 rpm	178 Nm at 4700 rpm
		Trophy	2014	6sp man., 6sp auto
		Premium	2012-15	6sp auto
2.0 GDI	2.0-litre petrol I4	SR	2013-15	6sp man., 6sp auto	129 kW at 6500 rpm	209 Nm at 4700 rpm
1.6 CRDi	1.6-litre turbo-diesel I4	Active, Elite	2012-15	6sp man., 6sp auto	94 kW at 4000 rpm	260 Nm at 1900-2750 rpm
		Trophy	2014	6sp man., 6sp auto
		Premium	2012-15	6sp auto

Dimensions

Compared to the Hyundai FD i30 which it replaced, the GD i30 was 55 mm longer (at 4300 mm), 5 mm wider (1780 mm) and 10 mm lower (1470 mm), though wheelbase length was unchanged (2600 mm). Furthermore, cargo capacity increased by 10 per cent (with the rear seats upright).

Suspension and steering

The Hyundai GD i30 had MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear axle with Sachs dampers front and rear; the suspension was also tuned for Australian conditions; an exception, however, was the three-door i30 SE which had multi-link rear suspension.

The Hyundai GD i30 had a speed-sensitive electric power-assisted steering system with three selectable settings: Normal, Comfort and Sport.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Hyundai GD i30 included dual front airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Brakes

The Hyundai GD i30 had 280 mm by 23 mm ventilated front brake discs and 262 mm by 10 mm solid rear discs.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , a 2012 Hyundai GD i30 that was fitted with a 1.4-litre engine received a five star safety rating which included a 90 per cent adult occupant protection rating and a 90 per cent child occupant protection rating. In the offset impact, occupant protection was generally rated as good, though protection of the chest and left lower leg were rated as adequate. In the side impact test, occupant protection was also generally rated as good, though chest protection was adequate. In the more severe pole test, chest protection was rated as weak and abdominal protection as adequate. Under ANCAP’s assessment regime , this testing resulted in a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 35.69 out of 37.

Features: Hyundai i30 Active

Standard features for the Hyundai i30 Active included a six speaker sound system with a five-inch touch screen, CD player, MP3-compatibility and auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB/iPod), Bluetooth connectivity and audio streaming, air conditioning, cruise control, front fog lights, rear parking sensors, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, steering wheel audio and cruise controls, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, a height adjustable driver’s seat, three 12 volt power outlets, a temporary spare wheel and an immobiliser.

Features: Hyundai i30 Elite

Compared to the Hyundai i30 Active, the i30 Elite was further equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, satellite navigation system with SUNA live traffic updates and a seven-inch touch screen, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, a rear view camera, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, proximity key, power folding mirrors and a full size spare wheel.

Features: Hyundai i30 Premium

The range-topping Hyundai i30 Premium was distinguished by its 17-inch alloy wheels, leather/’leatherette’ seats, a power adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, xenon headlights with washers, flat folding rear seats, a panoramic glass sunroof, power-operated park brake, electrochromatic rear view mirror and an under-floor storage compartment.

2013 Hyundai i30 SR

Released in August 2013, the sports-oriented Hyundai i30 SR had a unique suspension tune that was developed for Australia and included stiffer front springs. Visually, the SR could be identified by its 17-inch machined-face alloy wheels, sports front grille with piano-black insert, rear diffuser and ‘SR’ badges.

Compared to the Elite editions, the SR was further equipped with leather/leatherette upholstery, a power adjustable driver’s seat, xenon headlights, LED rear combination lights, alloy-faced pedals and an electrochromatic rear view mirror. A panoramic glass sunroof was also available as an extra-cost option.

2013 Hyundai i30 Special Edition (SE)

Released in July 2013, the Hyundai i30 1.6 GDI Special Edition had similar features to the Active editions but was distinguished by its 16-inch twin-spoke alloy wheels, dark chrome front grille and revised rear fascia (with horizontal fog lights and a black insert at the base of the bumper).

The i30 Special Edition returned in September 2014, but was offered with the 1.8 MPI and 1.6 CRDI engines. Compared to the i30 Active, the 2014 i30 Special Edition added 16-inch alloy wheels, leather appointed seats, premium door trim, a premium steering wheel and gear knob, and power folding door mirrors with LED indicators.

2014 Hyundai i30 Trophy

Released in January 2014, the Hyundai i30 Trophy edition was based on the entry-level Active edition but further equipped with 16-inch five double-spoke alloy wheels, leather seat trim, power folding door mirrors with LED indicators and a premium steering wheel and gearshift lever.

Brochures

Specifications

Review: Hyundai GD.II i30 (2015-16)